What Is Leelee Sobieski’s Net Worth?
Leelee Sobieski, an accomplished American artist and actress, has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. Sobieski’s career began in her teenage years with roles in films like “Deep Impact” and “Eyes Wide Shut.” She transitioned into a successful film career before retiring from acting in 2012 to dedicate herself to art. Her net worth reflects her earnings from acting roles over the years and likely includes income from her art sales and exhibitions.
Early Life and Education
Born on June 10, 1983, in New York City, Leelee Sobieski’s upbringing was shaped by her parents’ artistic backgrounds. Her mother, Elizabeth, was an American film producer and screenwriter, while her father, Jean, a French-born painter of Polish descent, instilled in her a love for the arts. Being of Jewish descent, Sobieski has described her upbringing as pan-religious. She attended Trevor Day School in New York, graduating in 2001. Following high school, she pursued literature and fine art studies at Brown University, although she did not complete her degree. Her education in fine art at Brown likely played a role in her later career transition into visual arts.
Acting Career: From Teen Star to Leading Lady
Sobieski’s journey into acting began serendipitously when a talent scout spotted her in the cafeteria of a New York City private school. This encounter led her to audition for film roles, with her initial attempt being for a part in “Interview with the Vampire” in 1993, a role eventually taken by Kirsten Dunst. The following year, she secured a role in the TV movie “Reunion,” starring Marlo Thomas. In 1995, she took on a lead role in another television film called “A Horse for Danny.” Her first studio film role came in 1997 when she played Martin Short’s character’s daughter in the comedy “Jungle 2 Jungle.”
Her breakthrough moment arrived in 1998 when, at the age of 15, she was cast in “Deep Impact.” The film’s global box office success, grossing nearly $350 million, propelled Sobieski into the limelight and significantly contributed to her early earnings. The same year, her performance in “A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries” garnered critical acclaim, leading to nominations at the Young Artist Awards and the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards. These early successes solidified her position as a rising star and laid the foundation for her future earnings potential. Her salary for ‘Deep Impact’ was not publicly disclosed, but considering the success of the movie, it would have certainly been a substantial amount for a young actress at the time. Even though her earnings from these early roles are not publicly known, they played a crucial part in building up her net worth.
In 1999, Sobieski appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut” alongside Tom Cruise, further enhancing her profile and contributing to her growing income. She also took on a supporting role in the teen comedy “Never Been Kissed,” starring Drew Barrymore. The following year, she secured a lead role in the television movie “Joan of Arc,” earning widespread praise and award nominations at the Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. Her portrayal of Joan of Arc, earning her the distinction of being the youngest actress to play the role on screen, not only boosted her reputation but also increased her earning potential for future projects.
The year 2000 also saw Sobieski playing the female lead in “Here on Earth,” which earned her a Teen Choice nomination. This was followed by a role in “Uprising,” which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination. In 2001, she took the lead in the horror film “Joy Ride” and also starred in “The Glass House.” She also starred in the low-budget drama, “My First Mister,” which received critical praise. The fees she earned from films such as “Joy Ride” and “The Glass House” would have made a good contribution to her overall financial situation at the time.
In 2002, Sobieski starred in the independent film “L’Idole,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The following year, she appeared in “Les Liaisons dangereuses,” showcasing her fluency in French. In 2005, she was featured in the miniseries “Hercules” and then in the experimental film “Lying,” which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006. She then starred in “Heavens Fall,” as well as “In a Dark Place” and the remake of “The Wicker Man,” alongside Nicolas Cage. Her role as a dominatrix in the 2007 film “Walk All Over Me,” and her appearance in the major motion picture “88 Minutes” with Al Pacino in 2008, demonstrate her willingness to explore diverse roles. The financial compensation for these roles, though specific figures are not publicly available, would have varied based on the film’s budget and her role’s prominence.
Following her roles in “In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale” and “Night Train,” Sobieski starred alongside Denise Richards in “Finding Bliss” in 2010. She also appeared in “The Last Film Festival,” filmed in 2009 but released in 2016. Some of her final roles included a guest appearance on “The Good Wife” in 2011 and a starring role in the CBS drama “NYC 22” in 2012. She also landed a main role in the 2012 film “Branded.” In 2016, she confirmed her retirement from acting, citing her desire to focus on her children and her discomfort with portraying sexually explicit scenes. The income generated from these later roles, combined with her earlier successes, contributed to her $4 million net worth.
Transition to Art Career
After retiring from acting, Sobieski, using her married name Leelee Kimmel, embarked on a career in art. Her artistic endeavors encompass painting and sculpting abstract pieces. She also explores virtual reality technology through Google Tilt Brush. Sobieski’s artwork often features bright colors and abstract, textured shapes against white or black backgrounds. Her first solo exhibit, “Channels,” opened in 2018 at the Journal Gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, receiving positive reviews from publications like “Vogue.” Soon after, she debuted her first UK exhibit, “Wormhole,” at the Simon Lee Gallery in London. The sales of her artwork and revenue from exhibitions contribute to her net worth, although the specific financial figures from her art career are not publicly available.
Personal Life and Real Estate
In January 2009, Sobieski began dating fashion designer Adam Kimmel, the son of American real estate developer Martin Kimmel and the grandson of boat racer and designer Donald Aronow. They were engaged in May of the same year and broke the news to the media in June. They welcomed a daughter in December 2009 and a son in August 2014. The family resides in Red Hook, Brooklyn. While specific details about their residence, such as the address or property value, are not publicly accessible, living in Red Hook, Brooklyn, suggests that Sobieski likely owns a valuable real estate asset. Property values in Red Hook have been on the rise, potentially contributing to her overall net worth.
Analysis of Leelee Sobieski’s $4 Million Net Worth
Leelee Sobieski’s $4 million net worth is the result of her successful career as an actress, followed by her transition to the art world. Her acting career, which began in her teenage years, provided the initial foundation for her wealth. Roles in high-profile films like “Deep Impact” and “Eyes Wide Shut” not only raised her profile but also provided significant income. Her transition to art has allowed her to continue to generate income, though details about her art sales are not readily available. The combination of her earnings from her acting career and her art sales, along with any potential investments and real estate holdings, contributes to her estimated $4 million net worth. While it is difficult to provide a precise breakdown of her assets, her career trajectory provides a clear picture of how she accumulated her wealth.