Net Worth Ranker
What Is Paul Hogan’s Net Worth?
Paul Hogan, an Australian actor and comedian best known for his role in the “Crocodile Dundee” franchise, has a net worth of $20 million. This figure reflects his earnings from acting, writing, producing, and other ventures throughout his career. While Hogan’s net worth has experienced fluctuations over the years, his involvement in the “Crocodile Dundee” films played a significant role in his financial success.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Paul Hogan’s journey to stardom began in 1971 with an appearance on the Australian talent show “New Faces.” His comedic approach, which involved humorously critiquing the judges, led to further opportunities. Mike Willesee, the host of “A Current Affair,” recognized Hogan’s talent and offered him a role in the show’s comedic segments. This collaboration led to a partnership with John Cornell, who would later become Hogan’s manager and business partner.
In 1973, Hogan launched his own comedy sketch show, “The Paul Hogan Show,” which he wrote, produced, and starred in alongside Cornell and Delvene Delaney. The show gained popularity in Australia, the UK, and South Africa, earning Hogan a TV Week Logie Award for Best New Talent in its first season.
Prior to his role in “Crocodile Dundee,” Hogan gained recognition for his appearances in commercials for the Australian Tourist Commission. These advertisements, which featured the catchphrases “Come and say G’day” and “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you,” resonated with American audiences and contributed to a significant increase in Australia’s appeal as a vacation destination.
“Crocodile Dundee” and Subsequent Work
In 1985, Hogan starred in the television miniseries “Anzacs,” which tells the story of Australian and New Zealander soldiers during World War I. The following year, he achieved international fame with the release of “Crocodile Dundee,” a comedy film that he co-wrote and starred in. The film, produced on a budget of approximately $10 million, generated over $325 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Australian film production for over three decades.
The success of “Crocodile Dundee” led to a sequel, “Crocodile Dundee II,” in 1988, which grossed over $235 million worldwide against a budget of $14 million. Hogan reprised his role as Mike Dundee in 2001 for “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles,” which grossed $39 million.
Following the “Crocodile Dundee” franchise, Hogan appeared in films such as “Almost an Angel” (1990), “Lightning Jack” (1994), and “Flipper” (1996). In the 2000s, he starred in the Australian films “Strange Bedfellows” (2004) and “Charlie & Boots” (2009).
“Crocodile Dundee” Earnings and Ownership Stake
Paul Hogan’s financial success is largely attributed to his involvement in the “Crocodile Dundee” franchise. Hogan independently raised the first movie’s $8.8 million budget, and he sold the distribution rights country by country on his own, allowing him to retain a reported 60% ownership stake in the film’s profits. This ownership stake allowed him to generate a large amount of revenue from the film’s success.
The first “Crocodile Dundee” film grossed more than $320 million worldwide, “Crocodile Dundee II” earned $240 million, and “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles” earned $40 million. It is estimated that Hogan personally earned over $100 million from the franchise.
Personal Life and Relationships
Hogan was married to Noelene Edwards from 1958 to 1981. They remarried within a year, and then divorced again in 1986. The divorce was reportedly one of the most expensive in Australian history. Hogan was married to his “Crocodile Dundee” co-star Linda Kozlowski from 1990 to 2014.
Tax Dispute with the Australian Taxation Office
Paul Hogan was involved in a dispute with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for over a decade. The ATO claimed that Hogan used offshore tax shelters and California residency to conceal millions of dollars of his “Crocodile Dundee” earnings over a period of 25 years. At one point, the ATO presented Hogan with a $150 million bill, including penalties and interest.
In 2006, Hogan won a $5 million judgment against the Australian Crime Commission after they illegally seized personal financial information. In 2010, Hogan was prevented from leaving Australia until he paid a $37.5 million tax bill. In 2017, the ATO announced that the matter was settled after Hogan paid “tens of millions of dollars” in taxes and fines, although Hogan disputed these reports.
Legal Matters and Financial Advisor
In April 2013, Hogan filed a lawsuit against a Swiss bank, alleging that it allowed one of his former financial advisors to misappropriate over $32 million. He sought $80 million in damages. The financial advisor denied any wrongdoing, and the case remains unresolved.
Real Estate Investments
In July 2012, Paul and Linda Hogan purchased a home in Malibu, California, for $3.8 million. They sold the property a year later to actor Chris Hemsworth.
