Overview

William James Remar (born December 31, 1953) is an American actor known for his intense character portrayals and leading man presence. He gained initial recognition in 1979 for his role as Ajax in ‘The Warriors’ and has since built a prolific 45-year career in film, television, and theatre. Remar’s diverse roles range from the psychopathic Albert Ganz in ’48 Hrs.’ to the compassionate Harry Morgan, Dexter’s adoptive father, in the acclaimed television series ‘Dexter’. He also portrayed Dutch Schultz in ‘The Cotton Club’. His television credits include ‘Sex and the City’, ‘Gotham’, and ‘Black Lightning’. He has also lent his voice to Lexus car commercials. Remar studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. His work has earned him a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

What Is James Remar’s Net Worth?

James Remar, a versatile American actor known for his compelling performances in film and television, has accumulated a net worth of $2.5 million as of 2025. This financial standing reflects a career spanning several decades, marked by diverse roles and consistent work in the entertainment industry. While the exact breakdown of Remar’s net worth is not publicly available, it is primarily derived from his earnings as an actor, complemented by voiceover work and potential residuals from past projects.

Early Career and Film Roles Contributing to James Remar’s Net Worth

Born on December 31, 1953, in Boston, Massachusetts, William James Remar embarked on his acting journey after returning to high school and later attending the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. His early stage performances, including roles in “Cross and Sword” and “Grease,” laid the foundation for his transition to film. Remar’s film debut came with a minor role in the 1979 prison drama “On the Yard.” However, it was his portrayal of Ajax in Walter Hill’s 1979 action thriller “The Warriors” that brought him wider recognition. Specific financial details regarding Remar’s earnings from these early roles are not publicly disclosed. The film grossed over $41.3 million domestically at the box office. Despite being a supporting role, it helped in showcasing his talent to Hollywood and other filmmakers that would lead to roles in other films.

The 1980s proved to be a formative period for Remar’s film career and subsequent net worth accumulation. He reunited with Walter Hill for the 1980 Western “The Long Riders,” a film that grossed $15.8 million. He also appeared in William Friedkin’s controversial 1980 crime thriller “Cruising,” a film that made $19.8 million at the box office against a $9 million budget. A significant role came in 1982 with the buddy cop action comedy “48 Hrs.,” another collaboration with Walter Hill. In the film, Remar played homicidal psychopath Albert Ganz. “48 Hrs” generated over $78.8 million in box office revenue. The success of “48 Hrs.” allowed Remar to ask for higher pay for future roles.

In 1984, Remar portrayed mobster Dutch Schultz in Francis Ford Coppola’s musical crime drama “The Cotton Club.” Although the film was a box office disappointment with only $25.9 million earned against a $58 million budget, Remar’s participation in such a high-profile project enhanced his reputation within the industry. In 1987, he starred in the film “Rent-A-Cop” alongside Burt Reynolds and Liza Minnelli. The film was a commercial failure, grossing just over $10 million against a production budget of $18 million. Remar concluded the decade with roles in “The Dream Team” and “Drugstore Cowboy.” The exact earnings from these films are not publicly accessible. However, they collectively contributed to his growing income stream.

The 1990s saw Remar taking on a variety of roles in films such as “White Fang” (1991), which grossed $34.8 million worldwide, and “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994), which grossed $17.3 million domestically. He also appeared in “The Phantom” (1996) and “Mortal Kombat Annihilation” (1997), films that, while not critical successes, added to his filmography and income. While specific salary figures from these roles remain private, the consistent work helped bolster his overall financial standing.

In the 2000s, Remar’s film career continued with appearances in “What Lies Beneath” (2000), which grossed over $291 million worldwide, and “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003), which grossed $236 million globally. He also had roles in “Blade: Trinity” (2004) and “Pineapple Express” (2008). Remar was in the film “The Girl Next Door” in 2004, which grossed $37 million against a $25 million budget. These roles provided Remar with steady income and exposure to diverse audiences. It is important to note that Remar’s roles were often supporting characters instead of leading man positions. However, steady work in film projects contributed to his financial stability and long-term net worth.

The 2010s brought Remar roles in high-profile films such as “X-Men: First Class” (2011), which earned over $353 million worldwide, and “Django Unchained” (2012), which grossed over $425 million. These films provided Remar with roles and exposure, contributing to his continued success. In 2023, Remar appeared in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which grossed over $950 million worldwide. It went on to win the Best Picture Oscar. While specific financial details are not available, Remar’s involvement in commercially successful films has helped with his financial earnings and overall net worth.

Television Career and James Remar’s Net Worth

Remar’s foray into television began in 1981 with a guest role on “Hill Street Blues.” However, it was not until the late 1990s and early 2000s that he secured more substantial television roles. He played Frank Cisco on ABC’s “Total Security” and Tiny Bellows on USA Network’s “The Huntress.” These roles, although relatively short-lived, provided him with consistent income and further exposure to television audiences. Remar also played Richard Wright on HBO’s “Sex and the City” from 2001 to 2004. It was a recurring role. While specific financial details regarding his earnings from “Sex and the City” are not publicly available, recurring roles on popular shows contribute significantly to an actor’s income.

A turning point in Remar’s television career came in 2006 with his role as Harry Morgan, the adoptive father of Dexter Morgan, in Showtime’s “Dexter.” This role spanned eight seasons, providing Remar with a steady and substantial income stream over several years. Although specific salary figures for Remar’s role in “Dexter” have not been disclosed, leading and recurring roles in popular television series can command significant compensation, often ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode. The consistent work and exposure from “Dexter” undoubtedly contributed to Remar’s net worth. In 2006, he also had a recurring role in “Jericho”.

In addition to “Dexter,” Remar has appeared in numerous other television series, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “State of Affairs,” and “The Path.” From 2018 to 2021, he played Peter Gambi in the DC Comics superhero series “Black Lightning,” and from 2018 to 2023, he played Captain Buck Greene in the reboot of “Magnum P.I.” Remar starred in the horror series “Welcome to Derry”. While the specific financial details of these roles are not publicly accessible, consistent work in television contributes to his overall financial earnings.

Voiceover Work and Other Ventures Contributing to James Remar’s Net Worth

In addition to his acting roles, Remar has also supplemented his income through voiceover work. He is known for voicing Lexus car commercials. The specific financial details of Remar’s voiceover work are not publicly available. However, voiceover projects can be a significant source of income for actors. Remar’s voice acting roles in animated series such as “The Batman,” “The Spectacular Spider-Man,” “Ben 10: Alien Force,” “Ben 10: Ultimate Alien,” and “The Legend of Korra” have also contributed to his income stream.

While information about Remar’s specific investments, real estate holdings, or other business ventures is not publicly available, it is common for actors to diversify their income streams through investments in stocks, bonds, or real estate. However, without specific details, it is difficult to assess the extent to which these factors contribute to his overall net worth.

Personal Life

James Remar married Atsuko in 1984, and they have two children, Jason and Lisa, both involved in the entertainment industry. Information about Remar’s personal spending habits, lifestyle, or philanthropic activities is not publicly available. It is important to note that net worth is a measure of an individual’s assets minus liabilities. This may be influenced by personal spending habits, investment decisions, and other financial factors. As such, net worth figures may fluctuate over time.

In summary, James Remar’s $2.5 million net worth is the result of his acting career in film and television. Remar’s voiceover work and potential investments also contribute to his income stream.

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