What Is Mike Myers’ Net Worth?
Mike Myers, a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, and producer, has cultivated a substantial net worth estimated at $200 million. This financial success stems from his diverse career, encompassing television, film, and stage productions.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Michael John Myers was born on May 25, 1963, in Scarborough, Ontario. He spent his formative years in suburban Toronto, attending Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute and later graduating from Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute in 1982. His parents, Eric Myers, an insurance agent, and Alice “Bunny” E. Myers (née Hind), an office supervisor and Royal Air Force veteran, had immigrated to Canada from Liverpool, England. Mike’s early exposure to the entertainment industry began at the tender age of two, appearing in commercials. At age ten, he starred in a British Columbia Hydro commercial alongside Gilda Radner. After high school, Myers joined The Second City Canadian touring company, marking the beginning of his professional comedy career.
His career progressed to the United Kingdom, where he co-founded the improv group The Comedy Store Players. Simultaneously, he collaborated with Neil Mullarkey on the British children’s program “Wide Awake Club.” Returning to Toronto in 1986, Myers became a cast member of The Second City Toronto’s main stage show. In 1988, he honed his skills at the Improv Olympic in Chicago, training, performing, and teaching.
“Saturday Night Live” and “Wayne’s World” Breakthrough
In 1989, Myers’ career reached new heights when he joined the cast of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” During his tenure on “SNL,” he created iconic characters such as Linda Richman, Dieter, and Wayne Campbell, solidifying his reputation as a versatile comedic talent. The Wayne Campbell character, co-created with Dana Carvey, led to the film adaptation “Wayne’s World” in 1992. “Wayne’s World” achieved significant commercial success, grossing $183 million worldwide, thereby establishing Myers as a major comedic force.
Following “Wayne’s World,” Myers continued his success with “Wayne’s World 2” in 1993 and “So I Married an Axe Murderer” also in 1993. His time on “Saturday Night Live” spanned from 1989 to 1995.
The “Austin Powers” Phenomenon
Myers’ career experienced another resurgence in 1997 with the release of “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” This film was followed by two sequels: “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” (1999) and “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002). These sequels achieved remarkable success, grossing $312 million and $296.6 million, respectively. In the “Austin Powers” franchise, Myers showcased his versatility by playing multiple characters, including Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard, and Goldmember.
“Shrek” and Voice Acting Success
Myers contributed to the animated “Shrek” franchise, voicing the titular character, Shrek the ogre. The franchise includes “Shrek” (2001), “Shrek 2” (2004), “Shrek the Third” (2007), “Shrek the Halls” (2007), and “Shrek Forever After” (2010). Myers also lent his voice to “Shrek 4-D,” a theme park ride at Universal Parks and Resorts. “Shrek” was a major success for DreamWorks; the first film grossed $484.4 million worldwide, the second $919.8 million, and the third $798.9 million. These significant box office receipts added considerably to Mike Myers’ net worth.
Other Film Projects and Legal Disputes
In June 2000, Universal Pictures sued Myers for $3.8 million for withdrawing from a contract to make a film based on his “SNL” character Dieter. The original contract was valued at $20 million. Myers countersued, citing script issues. A settlement was eventually reached, and he agreed to make another film with Universal. This resulted in “The Cat in the Hat” (2003), which was a live action adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book. Myers also starred in “54” (1998), “The Love Guru” (2008), Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” (2009), “Terminal” (2018), and “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018). He also created and starred in the 2022 Netflix series, “The Pentaverate.”
Notable Salaries and Earnings
Myers’ earnings from his acting roles include $1 million for “Wayne’s World” (1992) and $3.5 million for the sequel. He earned $3.5 million for the first “Austin Powers” movie, $7 million for the second, and $25 million for the third. His voice work in the “Shrek” franchise earned him $3 million for the first film, $10 million for the second, and $15 million for both the third and fourth installments. He received $20 million for his role in “The Cat in the Hat.” Beyond these acting salaries, Myers has earned substantial income as a producer and creator of his various franchises, particularly “Shrek.” These significant earnings contribute significantly to his net worth.
Other Creative Ventures
Myers made his directorial debut with the film “Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon” (2013), which premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. He is also a member of the band Ming Tea, alongside Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet, contributing songs such as “BBC” and “Daddy Wasn’t There” to the “Austin Powers” films. As a Monty Python fan, Myers appeared in the documentary “Monty Python: The Meaning of Live” and onstage during their live show “Monty Python Live (Mostly)” at the O2 Arena.
Personal Life and Relationships
Myers married actress and comedy writer Robin Ruzan in May 1993, following a meeting at an ice hockey game in Chicago. They divorced in December 2005. In 2006, he began dating Kelly Tisdale, whom he married in New York City in late 2010. They have three children together. In 2016, Myers released a memoir titled “Canada,” which explores his native country’s history and popular culture.
Real Estate Investments
In January 2017, Myers purchased a 4-bedroom condo in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood for $14.675 million, but sold it four months later for $14 million, incurring a loss. In August 2018, he acquired a penthouse in NYC’s Chelsea neighborhood for $15.35 million. This 5,600-square-foot apartment features four bedrooms, a study, a 65-foot terrace overlooking High Line Park, two terraces spanning 1,000 square feet, a library, a media room, and an open-concept living room and kitchen. Myers listed this penthouse for sale in May 2023 for $20 million. In 2014, he bought an 8-acre lake-front home in Colchester, Vermont, for $1.65 million. In 2007, he purchased a home in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood for $7.9 million, which he later sold for under $13.2 million in March 2018, after initially listing it for $17 million. These real estate ventures contribute to Mike Myers’ overall net worth.