Overview

Kelly Macdonald is a Scottish actress known for her performances in film and television. She was born on February 23, 1976, in Glasgow, Scotland, and raised in Newton Mearns. Macdonald’s career began as a barmaid in Glasgow when she saw an open casting call for ‘Trainspotting’. She auditioned and won the role of Diane Coulston, an underage girl. ‘Trainspotting’ was released in 1996 to positive reviews, and this auspicious debut led her to star in ‘Stella Does Tricks’. She has since appeared in mainstream releases such as ‘Nanny McPhee’, ‘Gosford Park’, ‘Intermission’, ‘No Country for Old Men’, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ and ‘Brave’. On television, she had a supporting role on the HBO crime drama series ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and won an Emmy Award for her performance in the British television film ‘The Girl in the Café.’ Macdonald also starred in the television miniseries ‘The Victim’ and had main roles on the BBC series ‘State of Play,’ ‘Giri/Haji,’ and ‘Line of Duty.’

What Is Kelly Macdonald’s Net Worth?

Kelly Macdonald, the Scottish actress renowned for her captivating performances across film and television, has amassed a considerable net worth. As of 2025, Kelly Macdonald’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. This financial standing is primarily the result of her successful acting career, which spans over two decades and includes roles in critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects.

Kelly Macdonald’s Film Career and Earnings

Macdonald’s career trajectory began with a pivotal role in Danny Boyle’s 1996 film, “Trainspotting,” where she played Diane Coulston. This early success served as a launchpad for numerous subsequent film roles. While specific salary figures for her early roles are not publicly available, the success of “Trainspotting,” which grossed over £12 million in the UK, undoubtedly contributed to her rising profile and future earning potential.

In 2001, Macdonald appeared in Robert Altman’s “Gosford Park,” which had a production budget of $20 million. The film went on to win an Academy Award. While Macdonald’s exact compensation for this role remains undisclosed, her participation in such a high-profile project would have positively influenced her market value.

One of Macdonald’s most critically acclaimed film performances came in the 2007 Coen brothers’ film “No Country for Old Men.” The film, which had a production budget of $25 million and grossed over $171 million worldwide, earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The financial terms of her contract for “No Country for Old Men” are not publicly available, however, such a notable role in a commercially and critically successful film certainly boosted her career and earning potential.

Macdonald voiced the lead character Princess Merida in the 2012 Pixar animated film “Brave.” While voice actors’ salaries for animated films vary widely, industry estimates suggest that lead voice roles in major Pixar productions can command fees ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Considering the scale of “Brave,” which grossed over $538 million worldwide, Macdonald’s compensation was likely substantial.

Her other notable film credits include roles in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011), and “Operation Mincemeat” (2022). Though specific salary figures for these roles have not been disclosed, these projects would have further contributed to Kelly Macdonald’s net worth.

Kelly Macdonald’s Television Career and Earnings

Macdonald’s television career has been marked by significant roles in critically acclaimed series, particularly her portrayal of Margaret Thompson in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” (2010-2014). Industry sources estimate that the lead actors on “Boardwalk Empire” earned salaries ranging from $75,000 to $150,000 per episode. Given Macdonald’s prominent role, it’s likely that her salary was in the higher end of this range. With 56 episodes over five seasons, her earnings from “Boardwalk Empire” alone could have amounted to several million dollars.

Macdonald also garnered recognition for her performance in the British television film “The Girl in the Café” (2005), for which she won an Emmy Award. Although the specific financial details of her involvement in this project remain private, the award would have undoubtedly boosted her profile and future earning potential.

In recent years, Macdonald has starred in series such as “Line of Duty” (2021), where she played DCI Joanne Davidson. Lead actors in popular British television dramas can command fees ranging from £150,000 to £250,000 (approximately $200,000 to $330,000 USD) per episode. Details of her compensation in “Line of Duty” have not been publicly released but it likely added significantly to her overall income.

Other Ventures and Assets Contributing to Kelly Macdonald’s Net Worth

In addition to her acting income, Kelly Macdonald’s net worth is likely supported by investments and other financial ventures. While details of these investments are not publicly available, they may include holdings in stocks, bonds, or real estate. It is also possible that she has endorsement deals or other commercial partnerships, which would further contribute to her overall wealth.

While there are no publicly available records of Macdonald owning specific real estate properties, it is common for successful actors to invest in real estate as a means of building wealth. Similarly, there is no information available regarding her ownership of luxury vehicles or private aircraft. As such, her net worth is primarily derived from her earnings as an actress, supplemented by potential investments and other financial ventures.

© 2025 Net Worth Ranker / All Rights Reserved