What Is Imelda Staunton’s Net Worth?
Dame Imelda Staunton, a celebrated English actress known for her extensive work across theatre, film, television, and radio, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $5 million. This valuation reflects her decades-long career, marked by diverse roles and critical acclaim.
Career Highlights Contributing to Imelda Staunton’s Net Worth
Staunton’s career began after graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1976. Her initial six years were spent in British repertory theatre, including a notable stint at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter, where she performed in “Saint Joan” in 1979. These early roles, while not significantly impacting her net worth directly, laid the foundation for her future success.
Her transition to the National Theatre in London marked a turning point. In 1982, her role in “The Beggar’s Opera” earned her the first Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, although she didn’t win at that time. In 1985, she secured her first Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for her work in “A Chorus of Disapproval” and “The Corn is Green.” This award began adding to her recognition and likely, her earning potential.
Staunton’s theatre career continued to flourish with roles such as Dorothy Gale in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1987 revival of “The Wizard of Oz,” earning another Olivier Award nomination. In 1990, she starred in the original West End production of “Into the Woods,” winning her first Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her involvement in “Guys and Dolls” also garnered an Olivier Award nomination, further cementing her status and potential earnings in the theatre world.
The 2000s saw Staunton in “Life x 3,” “Calico,” and “There Came a Gypsy Riding,” maintaining her presence on the London stage. In 2009, her performance in “Entertaining Mr. Sloane” led to another Olivier Award nomination. In 2012, she won her second Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for “Sweeney Todd,” and in 2015, she won her third for “Gypsy.” Each of these roles not only added to her reputation but also contributed incrementally to her financial standing.
Staunton’s film debut was in the 1986 historical drama “Comrades.” Her presence in film grew in the 1990s with roles in “Antonia and Jane,” Kenneth Branagh’s “Peter’s Friends,” and “Much Ado About Nothing.” Later in the decade, she appeared in “Deadly Advice,” “Sense and Sensibility,” and “Shakespeare in Love.” Her voice role as Bunty in the animated film “Chicken Run” marked a notable entry into voice acting, diversifying her income streams.
A critical milestone in Staunton’s career was her role in Mike Leigh’s “Vera Drake” in 2004. Her portrayal of a working-class woman performing illegal abortions in 1950s London won her Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, the BAFTAs, and the European Film Awards. She also received an Academy Award nomination. While the exact salary for this role isn’t publicly available, the awards and recognition undoubtedly increased her market value significantly.
In 2007, Staunton played Dolores Umbridge in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” a role that significantly broadened her audience. She reprised this role in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” in 2010. Her involvement in such a major film franchise would have provided a substantial boost to her income.
Staunton’s other film credits include “Nanny McPhee” (2005), “Shadow Man” (2006), “Freedom Writers” (2007), “Taking Woodstock” (2009), “Another Year” (2010), “The Awakening” (2011), “Pride” (2014), and “Maleficent” (2014). She also voiced characters in “Arthur Christmas” (2011), “The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!” (2012), and the “Paddington” films. Her role as Lady Maud Bagshaw in “Downton Abbey” (2019) and “Downton Abbey: A New Era” (2022) further contributed to her filmography and income.
Staunton’s television career includes early appearances in “Ladies in Charge,” “The Singing Detective,” and “The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.” From 1990 to 1993, she played Izzy Comyn in the sitcom “Up the Garden Path.” She also starred in the miniseries “If You See God, Tell Him” in 1993 and the sitcom “Is it Legal?” from 1995 to 1998. These roles provided steady income and exposure.
In the 2000s, Staunton appeared in miniseries such as “Murder,” “Cambridge Spies,” “Fingersmith,” “Dogtown,” and “Cranford.” She also starred in television film adaptations of “My Family and Other Animals,” “The Wind in the Willows,” and “Clay.” In 2012, she portrayed Alma Hitchcock in “The Girl,” earning BAFTA and Emmy nominations. Her role in “The Crown” (2022-2023) as Queen Elizabeth II garnered significant attention and likely a substantial salary, although specific figures are not public. The Crown particularly increased her net worth, due to its global viewership and Netflix’s generous payment policies for leading actors.
Other Ventures and Personal Details Related to Imelda Staunton’s Net Worth
Staunton’s work in radio includes starring as the titular character in “Julie Enfield Investigates” and appearing in “The Patrick and Maureen Maybe Music Experience” and “Acropolis Now.” She has also narrated numerous children’s audiobooks, which add incrementally to her income stream.
Imelda Staunton married actor Jim Carter in 1983. Her spouse Jim Carter has a net worth estimated to be around $4 million. Their combined assets and financial decisions likely influence their overall financial strategy.
While specific details about her property assets, private investments, or luxury vehicles are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that Staunton has made sound financial decisions over her career, contributing to her estimated $5 million net worth.