What Is Bill Paxton’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in February 2017, Bill Paxton, the prolific American actor, producer, and director, had accumulated a net worth of $25 million. This figure represents the culmination of a multifaceted career spanning film and television, both in front of and behind the camera. While specific details regarding the breakdown of his assets—such as real estate holdings, investment portfolios, or residuals from his extensive filmography—are not publicly available, the substantial net worth reflects the sustained success he achieved over several decades in the entertainment industry.
Bill Paxton’s Career and Earnings
Paxton’s journey began with aspirations of becoming a director. After his ambitions led him to Los Angeles, he was rejected by every single film school he applied to. He pivoted to acting, studying with Stella Adler, a renowned acting coach who trained actors like Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. This shift marked the beginning of a successful acting career, starting with smaller roles. One of his earliest roles was in “The Terminator”, and had minor role in “Streets of Fire,” before gaining more prominence with a more central role in “Weird Science.” The early 1980s was a period of creative exploration for Paxton. During this time, he created short films like “Fish Heads,” which aired on “Saturday Night Live” during the early 80s. He also appeared in a music video for one of Pat Benatar’s songs. Music was obviously a priority for Paxton during this period, as he created a new wave band with a friend called Martini Ranch. The group released their one and only album in 1988, entitled “Holy Cow.” As his career progressed, he secured roles in iconic films such as “Aliens” (1986), playing Private William Hudson, earning him a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, and later collaborated with director James Cameron on projects like “True Lies” (1994) and “Titanic” (1997). His role in “Titanic,” one of the highest-grossing films of all time, undoubtedly contributed significantly to his financial success. Specific details of his salary for “Titanic” have not been released to the public.
His performances in films like “Tombstone” and “Apollo 13” further solidified his status as a versatile and bankable actor. Paxton’s starring role in the disaster film “Twister” (1996) earned him critical acclaim and box office success. Details regarding his exact salary for “Twister” are not publicly available. As for television roles, he had a leading role in HBO’s “Big Love,” earning him three Golden Globe Award nominations, which would have come with a substantial salary per episode. While the exact figures of his per-episode earnings for “Big Love” are not publicly known, lead roles in successful HBO series typically command significant salaries. He received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for “Hatfields & McCoys” and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for “Training Day.” Paxton rounded out his career with an appearance in the film “The Circle”. Also, he is remembered by video game fans for his voice-acting role in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.” Earnings from voice acting roles in major video game franchises can be substantial, though specific figures for Paxton’s involvement in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” have not been disclosed.
Bill Paxton’s Real Estate and Personal Life
In his later years, Bill Paxton resided in Ojai, California, a town approximately two hours northwest of Los Angeles. His property, spanning 2.5 acres, is estimated to be worth between $4 million and $6 million today. While it is mentioned that the property appears to remain within the Paxton family, there are no specific details available regarding the purchase price, any mortgages associated with the property, or subsequent improvements made to the estate. Information regarding other potential real estate holdings, such as investment properties or vacation homes, is not publicly accessible. Similarly, details about his ownership of private aircraft or luxury vehicles are not available in the provided text. The only known relationship mentioned is his marriage to Louise Newbury in 1987, after having first met her earlier in London, England. Newbury and Paxton had two children together over the course of their relationship. His first marriage was to Kelly Rowan in 1979, but the marriage ended one year later. The financial terms of his divorces, including any alimony or settlements paid, are not part of the public record.