Net Worth Ranker
What Is Chris Cooper’s Net Worth
Chris Cooper, an accomplished American actor with a career spanning decades, has accumulated a net worth of $6 million. This figure represents the culmination of his work as an actor, director, and producer in both film and television. His financial success is directly tied to his extensive body of work, which includes over 70 acting credits, highlighted by his notable performances in critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects.
Early Career and Film Roles
Chris Cooper’s journey to a $6 million net worth began with his early roles in television and film, gradually building his reputation and demand in the entertainment industry. His breakthrough role in John Sayles’ 1987 film “Matewan” marked the beginning of his ascent. In 1989, he played July Johnson in the CBS miniseries “Lonesome Dove”, which garnered positive reviews and increased his visibility among audiences.
Throughout the 1990s, Cooper took on various roles in films such as “Thousand Pieces of Gold” (1990), “Guilty by Suspicion” (1991), and “This Boy’s Life” (1993). These roles contributed to his income and helped solidify his presence in Hollywood. In 1996, he starred in the film adaptation of John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill,” alongside Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, and Matthew McConaughey, further raising his profile in the industry.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Cooper taking on roles that significantly boosted his career and, consequently, his net worth. His performance as Colonel Frank Fitts, USMC, in the 1999 film “American Beauty” earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, increasing his demand in the industry. He continued to appear in high-profile films such as “The Patriot” (2000), where he played Colonel Harry Burwell, and “The Bourne Identity” (2002), where he portrayed Alexander Conklin.
Cooper’s career reached a new level of success with his role in the 2002 film “Adaptation.” His portrayal of John Laroche earned him both an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture. This recognition significantly enhanced his earning potential, leading to more prominent and higher-paying roles. In 2003, he earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his performance as Tom Smith in “Seabiscuit,” further cementing his status as a sought-after actor.
Chris Cooper’s performance in “Adaptation” did not only win him awards, but it also had a substantial impact on his salary for subsequent projects. While specific figures for his earnings per film are not publicly available, winning an Academy Award typically leads to an increase in salary demands for actors in the following years. The success of “Adaptation” positioned him for more lucrative roles, which directly contributed to the increase in his net worth. Cooper’s Academy Award win likely led to a salary increase of 20% to 50% for future projects, based on industry standards. This could have translated to hundreds of thousands of dollars more per film.
Continued Success and Diverse Roles
Following his success with “Adaptation” and “Seabiscuit”, Chris Cooper continued to take on diverse and challenging roles, further contributing to his net worth. He received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance as Thomas Riversmith in the 2003 HBO movie “My House in Umbria,” and he earned a Satellite Award nomination for portraying Alvin Dewey in 2005’s “Capote.” These roles showcased his versatility as an actor and kept him in demand within the industry.
Throughout the mid-2000s, Cooper appeared in a variety of films, including “Jarhead” (2005), “Syriana” (2005), “Breach” (2007), and “The Kingdom” (2007). These roles contributed to his income stream and allowed him to continue building his financial stability. He also took on roles in smaller, independent films, demonstrating his commitment to acting and storytelling beyond just commercial success. He portrayed Walt Whitman on the PBS series “American Experience” in 2008, showcasing his versatility.
In the 2010s, Cooper continued to appear in a range of films, from mainstream productions to independent projects. His role as villainous oil tycoon Tex Richman in “The Muppets” (2011) showcased his ability to take on comedic roles and broaden his appeal to different audiences. He starred as Charles Aiken in 2013’s “August: Osage County,” which earned him and the cast a Capri Ensemble Cast Award. He also had an uncredited cameo as Norman Osborn in 2014’s “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.”
His work in “The Town” (2010), where he played Stephen MacAvoy, was particularly noteworthy, earning the cast a National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble and a Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble. Cooper voiced Smokey in the 2017 Pixar film “Cars 3,” which grossed $383.9 million at the box office. This voice acting role added another dimension to his career and contributed to his overall income. In 2019, he co-starred with Tom Hanks in the Fred Rogers biopic “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and played Mr. Laurence in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.” These roles further solidified his status as a respected and versatile actor, contributing to his ongoing financial success.
He also starred in the Hulu Stephen King miniseries “11.22.63” (2016) and Leonard Geist on the Amazon Prime Video series “Homecoming” (2020). Cooper directed the “Nuts” segment in the 2021 anthological drama “With/In: Volume 2,” and he executive produced the 2018 documentary “Intelligent Lives.” Chris has also performed on Broadway, playing Ben Mercer in “Of the Fields, Lately” (1980) and Torvald Helmer in “A Doll’s House, Part 2” (2017). He earned a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play for “A Doll’s House.” In November 2021, it was announced that Chris had been cast in the Hulu film “Boston Strangler.”
Awards, Recognition, and Legacy
Chris Cooper’s success is not only measured in monetary terms but also in the recognition he has received from his peers and the industry. His awards and nominations have played a significant role in boosting his net worth by increasing his marketability and demand as an actor. The Academy Award and Golden Globe he won for “Adaptation” in 2003 are the highlights of his career, leading to more lucrative opportunities.
In addition to his Academy Award and Golden Globe, Cooper has received numerous other awards, including accolades from the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, Central Ohio Film Critics Association, Chlotrudis Awards, Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards, and many more. These awards recognize his talent and contribution to the film industry, enhancing his reputation and value.
His Primetime Emmy nomination for “My House in Umbria” and his Satellite Award nomination for “Capote” further demonstrate the recognition he has received for his work in television. These nominations increase his visibility and contribute to his overall career success, impacting his net worth over time. Cooper’s legacy extends beyond his on-screen performances. His contributions to theater, including his Broadway appearances in “Of the Fields, Lately” and “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” highlight his commitment to the craft of acting. His Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play for “A Doll’s House” is another testament to his talent and versatility.
Chris Cooper’s career is a testament to his talent, versatility, and dedication to the craft of acting. His net worth of $6 million reflects his sustained success in the entertainment industry. With his wide range of roles, recognition from his peers, and ongoing contributions to film and television, Chris Cooper remains a respected and influential figure in Hollywood. His journey from humble beginnings to an Academy Award-winning actor is an inspiration to aspiring actors everywhere.
