Net Worth Ranker
What Is Elias Koteas’ Net Worth?
Elias Koteas, the accomplished Greek-Canadian actor, has cultivated a successful career in both film and television, resulting in a net worth of approximately $5 million. This valuation reflects his extensive work across various projects, highlighting his consistent presence in the entertainment industry since the mid-1980s.
Elias Koteas’ Career Highlights and Earnings
Koteas’ career is marked by a diverse portfolio of roles. His participation in the “Chicago” TV franchise is one of his most notable achievements. From 2014 to 2018, he appeared in 106 episodes of “Chicago P.D.”, playing the character Alvin “Al” Olinsky. While specific salary details for his work on “Chicago P.D.” are not publicly disclosed, recurring roles in major network television series typically command substantial compensation per episode. For a seasoned actor like Koteas, this could range from $30,000 to $75,000 per episode or more, depending on his contract and negotiating power. Over 106 episodes, this could contribute significantly to his overall earnings.
His film career is equally impressive. Koteas has appeared in “Malarek,” “Exotica,” “The Prophecy,” “Crash,” “The Thin Red Line,” “The Fourth Kind,” and “Jake Squared.” While it is difficult to obtain precise salary figures for each film, acting roles in such a wide array of productions provide a steady income stream. For instance, in a film like “The Thin Red Line,” an ensemble cast member like Koteas might have earned between $100,000 to $500,000, depending on the size of his role and his standing at the time. In smaller independent films like “Jake Squared,” his earnings might have been more modest, potentially in the range of $20,000 to $50,000.
Besides steady acting roles, he also has appeared in smaller TV roles such as “The Sopranos”, “House”, “CSI: NY”. Although these are one off roles, it does bring in a small income and provides a diverse range of acting opportunities.
Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings
Elias Koteas was born on March 11, 1961, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His mother was a milliner, and his father worked as a mechanic for the Canadian National Railways. He is of Greek ancestry. For his education, Koteas studied at Vanier College in Montreal and later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. While details of his early financial situation are not publicly available, his education at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts likely involved significant tuition fees, which may have been supported by his family or through loans and scholarships. It’s reasonable to assume that his early financial life was modest, similar to many aspiring actors starting their careers.
Koteas began his professional acting career in 1985, making his feature film debut in the Disney fantasy film “One Magic Christmas.” This early role, though minor, marked the beginning of his journey in the film industry. Details of his earnings from this role are not public, but it provided a crucial first step in building his resume and gaining industry experience. In 1987, he appeared in the teen drama “Some Kind of Wonderful” and Francis Ford Coppola’s war drama “Gardens of Stone.” These roles, particularly the one in Coppola’s film, would have increased his visibility and potentially improved his earning potential. The late 1980s saw Koteas taking on increasingly significant roles, such as his portrayal of an intellectually disabled man in “Full Moon in Blue Water” in 1988. That same year, he landed his first leading role as the titular investigative journalist in the biographical drama “Malarek.” As a lead actor, his salary for “Malarek” would have been considerably higher than his earlier supporting roles, likely contributing a significant amount to his income that year.
Detailed Film Career: 1990s to 2000s
The 1990s were a prolific period for Koteas, with numerous film roles that further solidified his presence in Hollywood. In 1990, he played sports-obsessed vigilante Casey Jones in the superhero film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” This role was a commercial success, and his participation would have provided a substantial boost to his earnings. Although exact figures are unavailable, lead roles in such films could yield salaries ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, depending on the actor’s profile and the film’s budget. He also appeared in “Backstreet Dreams,” “Desperate Hours,” “Look Who’s Talking Too,” and “Almost an Angel” that same year.
Throughout the 1990s, Koteas continued to work steadily, starring in Atom Egoyan’s “The Adjuster” (1991), “Chain of Desire,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II” and “Cyborg 2.” In 1994, he reunited with Egoyan for “Exotica” and appeared in “Camilla.” His roles in films like “The Prophecy” (1995), David Cronenberg’s “Crash” (1996), and Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” (1998) added to his career trajectory. These films, especially “Crash” and “The Thin Red Line,” were critically acclaimed and commercially successful, providing Koteas with significant exposure and potentially higher-paying roles. He also appeared in “Gattaca,” “Fallen,” and “Apt Pupil,” further diversifying his filmography.
In the 2000s, Koteas continued to maintain a steady presence in film. His roles included appearances in “Dancing at the Blue Iguana,” “Harrison’s Flowers,” and “Lost Souls” (2000), followed by “Novocaine,” “Collateral Damage,” “Ararat,” “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” and “The Big Empty.” In 2007, Koteas had a particularly busy year, appearing in “Skinwalkers,” “Zodiac,” “Shooter,” “Prisoner,” and “The Girl in the Park.” These roles varied in size and prominence, but each contributed to his overall income and industry standing. For example, a role in a major studio film like “Zodiac” or “Shooter” could have provided a salary between $150,000 and $500,000, depending on his role and contract terms. Smaller independent films would typically offer lower pay, possibly in the range of $20,000 to $50,000.
His film work continued with roles in “Two Lovers,” “Dark Streets,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008). In 2009, he starred in “The Haunting in Connecticut,” “Defendor,” “I Come with the Rain,” and “The Fourth Kind.” By 2010, Koteas had another significant year, appearing in “The Killer Inside Me,” “3 Backyards,” Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island,” “My Own Love Song,” “Die,” and “Let Me In.” A role in a Martin Scorsese film like “Shutter Island” is highly prestigious and would have likely provided a substantial salary, potentially ranging from $250,000 to $750,000 or more, depending on the size and significance of his role. Throughout this period, Koteas’ consistent film work ensured a stable and growing income, contributing significantly to his overall net worth.
Television Career: Details and Contributions to Net Worth
Alongside his extensive film career, Koteas has made notable contributions to television. He first appeared on television in 1985 in the made-for-TV movie “Private Sessions.” He followed this with an episode of “Crime Story” and the television film “Onassis: The Richest Man in the World,” where he portrayed the younger version of Aristotle Onassis. These early television appearances were likely smaller roles but provided valuable experience and exposure. In the 1990s, his television work was limited, with his only credit being the television film “Sugartime.” However, in the early 2000s, he appeared in another television film, “Shot in the Heart,” as well as an episode of the acclaimed crime drama series “The Sopranos.” Guest roles on shows like “The Sopranos” can be quite lucrative, potentially earning an actor between $10,000 and $30,000 per episode.
In 2004, Koteas was part of the ensemble cast of the three-part miniseries “Traffic.” He subsequently appeared on shows such as “Conviction,” “House,” “CSI: NY,” and “Saving Grace.” These roles helped maintain his visibility and provided additional income. In 2011, Koteas had a main role on the short-lived medical drama series “Combat Hospital.” While the show did not last long, a main role would have offered a stable salary for the duration of its run. The specific amount would depend on his contract, but it could have been in the range of $20,000 to $50,000 per episode.
His most significant television role came with the “Chicago” franchise. Starting with a recurring role as Alvin “Al” Olinsky on “Chicago Fire,” he later became a main cast member on the spinoff series “Chicago P.D.” from 2014 to 2018. He also appeared as Al Olinsky in three episodes of “Chicago Med” and one episode of “Chicago Justice.” As mentioned earlier, his role in “Chicago P.D.” was particularly lucrative, with potential earnings ranging from $30,000 to $75,000 per episode. His recurring and guest appearances in the other “Chicago” series would have added to his overall income from the franchise. His next substantial role came in 2021 on the fourth season of the legal drama streaming series “Goliath,” playing the recurring character Tom True. These sustained television roles have been critical in building and maintaining his net worth.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Koteas married actress and model Jennifer Rubin in 1987; the couple divorced in 1990. He later dated actress Heather Graham. Details about Koteas’ personal investments, real estate holdings, and other assets are not publicly available. However, it is reasonable to assume that, given his successful and sustained career, he has made sound financial investments over the years. Many actors invest in real estate, stocks, and other assets to secure their financial future. It is possible that Koteas owns property in Los Angeles, New York, or Montreal, but specific details are not accessible without private financial records. The types of vehicles that Koteas drives are not known. Also, there is no information on his philanthropic contributions.
