Net Worth Ranker
What Is Christopher Plummer’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on February 5, 2021, Christopher Plummer, the acclaimed Canadian actor, had an estimated net worth of $20 million. This wealth was accumulated over a distinguished career spanning decades, encompassing work in film, television, and theatre. Plummer’s estate likely included royalties from his extensive filmography, including major motion pictures like “The Sound of Music,” “Knives Out,” and “A Beautiful Mind,” as well as earnings from stage productions and television appearances.
Christopher Plummer’s Career Highlights and Earnings
Plummer’s career, beginning in 1948 with his professional debut at the Ottawa Stage Society, saw him ascend to Broadway in 1953 with “The Starcross Story.” His early stage work, including his apprenticeship at the Montreal Repertory Theatre alongside William Shatner, laid the foundation for a career marked by versatility and critical acclaim. Although specific financial details for his early stage roles are not publicly available, his presence in “The Lark” on Broadway marked a turning point, establishing him as a prominent stage actor.
While Plummer’s performance as Captain Georg von Trapp in the 1965 film “The Sound of Music” brought him international recognition, specific details about his initial salary for the film have not been widely disclosed. However, the film’s immense success, grossing over $286 million against a budget of $8.2 million, undoubtedly contributed to his rising profile and future earning potential. Despite his initial dislike for the film, Plummer eventually embraced it, even providing commentary for the 2005 DVD release and attending the 45th-year cast reunion. These later involvements likely generated additional income through royalties and appearance fees.
Over the decades, Plummer’s film career flourished, leading to numerous high-profile roles. While specific contract details for many of his films remain private, his participation in movies like “Malcolm X” (1992), “12 Monkeys” (1995), and “The Insider” (1999) solidified his status as a sought-after character actor. His role as Dr. Rosen in “A Beautiful Mind” (2001) further enhanced his reputation. The financial compensation for these roles would have varied depending on the film’s budget, Plummer’s negotiated fee, and any back-end profit participation agreements.
Plummer’s later career was marked by critical acclaim and awards recognition, significantly boosting his earning potential. In 2010, he received his first Academy Award nomination for his role in “The Last Station” (2009), playing author Leo Tolstoy. The following year, at the age of 82, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Beginners” (2011), making him the oldest actor to win an acting Oscar at the time. While the exact salary for “Beginners” is not publicly available, winning an Oscar typically leads to increased demand and higher salaries for future projects. One of his final film roles was in “Knives Out” released in 2019, and the financial specifics of his involvement in “All the Money in the World” (2017), where he replaced Kevin Spacey, have not been fully disclosed, it’s understood that such a high-profile casting change involved significant financial negotiations, potentially increasing his fee for the role.
In addition to his film work, Plummer had success on television. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards. His early television appearances included roles in dramatic showcase programs and live television dramas. Notably, he received an Emmy Award nomination for “Little Moon of Alban.” The miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977), in which he played Herod Antipas, and “The Thorn Birds” (1983) were both highly successful and likely contributed substantially to his income. Further, he earned a Primetime Emmy Award for voicing the narrator in the children’s program “Madeline.” While the specific earnings from these television roles are not public knowledge, his consistent presence in award-winning television productions would have been a significant source of income.
Plummer also secured two Tony Awards for his stage work. He won his first Tony Award in 1973 for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Cyrano in “Cyrano de Bergerac.” His second Tony Award came in 1997 for Best Actor in a Play for his performance as John Barrymore in the play “Barrymore.” While Tony Awards do not come with a direct monetary prize, winning one often leads to increased ticket sales and higher salaries for subsequent stage roles.
Christopher Plummer’s Assets and Personal Life
Although specific details about Christopher Plummer’s real estate holdings are not widely available in the public domain, it is known that he resided in a home in Weston, Connecticut, at the time of his death in February 2021. The property’s value would have contributed to his overall net worth. Other specific details related to his investments, private transportation (such as private planes), or luxury vehicles are not accessible through publicly available sources.
Plummer’s personal life included three marriages. He was married to actress Tammy Grimes from 1956 to 1960, and they had a daughter together, Amanda Plummer, who also became an actress. His second marriage was to journalist Patricia Lewis from 1962 to 1967. In 1970, he married actress Elaine Taylor, and their marriage lasted until his death. Specific details related to any financial settlements from his divorces are not publicly known.
