Net Worth Ranker
What Is Peter Weller’s Net Worth?
Peter Weller, a multifaceted American actor, director, and art historian, has accumulated a net worth of $8 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to his successful acting career, supplemented by his directorial endeavors and academic pursuits.
Early Life and Education
Born on June 24, 1947, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to Dorothy and Frederick Weller, Peter’s early life was shaped by his father’s career as a lawyer, federal judge, and US Army helicopter pilot. His childhood involved living abroad in West Germany before the family settled in Texas, where he attended Alamo Heights High School. He subsequently pursued higher education at North Texas State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in theatre. Continuing his training, Weller graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1972, laying the groundwork for his acting career.
Acting Career: Film and Television
Weller’s acting career began on the stage in the 1970s, with Broadway appearances in Otto Preminger’s “Full Circle” and William Inge’s “Summer Brave.” His transition to film began with his debut in the 1979 Western prequel, “Butch and Sundance: The Early Days,” where he played lawman Joe Lefors. He followed this with roles in Sidney Lumet’s comedy “Just Tell Me What You Want” (1980), the drama “Shoot the Moon,” and the horror film “Of Unknown Origin.” 1984 saw him star in “Firstborn” and as the titular character in “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.”
His most iconic role came in 1987 as the cyborg police officer in Paul Verhoeven’s “RoboCop,” which grossed over $53 million worldwide. Weller reprised this role in “RoboCop 2” (1990), earning a reported $1 million for his performance. During this period, Weller also starred in films like “Shakedown,” “Leviathan,” and “Cat Chaser.” Post-“RoboCop 2,” he appeared in “Road to Ruin,” David Cronenberg’s “Naked Lunch,” and “Fifty/Fifty.” His other notable 90s films include “The New Age,” “Screamers,” “Mighty Aphrodite,” and “Top of the World.” These roles contributed to his consistent income stream throughout the decade.
In the 2000s, Weller’s film work included “Shadow Hours,” “Contaminated Man,” and “Ivans Xtc.” He continued to appear in films such as “Styx,” “The Order,” “Man of God,” “Undiscovered,” “The Hard Easy,” “Prey,” and “Dating Vietnam.” In 2010, he starred in “Once Fallen.” He also voiced Batman in the animated film “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.” In 2013, he played Starfleet Admiral Alexander Marcus in “Star Trek Into Darkness.” Subsequent film credits include “Skin Trade” and “Yamasong: March of the Hollows.” These roles collectively added to his net worth, although specific salary figures for these projects remain undisclosed.
Weller’s television career began in 1973 with “The Man Without a Country.” He appeared in “The Silence” (1975) and an episode of “Lou Grant” in 1977. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he primarily starred in television films, including “Kentucky Woman,” “Apology,” and “Rainbow Drive.” He had a main role on the series “Odyssey 5” (2002-2003) playing a space shuttle commander. From 2005 to 2007, he hosted the History Channel’s “Engineering an Empire.” During this time, he played Christopher Henderson in “24” and Captain Paul Gallico in “The Poseidon Adventure.” In 2010, he appeared in “Fringe” and “Psych,” and had a recurring role in “Dexter.” He also had a recurring role in “Sons of Anarchy” (2013-2014). Other television appearances include “House,” “The Mob Doctor,” “Longmire,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “The Last Ship,” and “MacGyver.” While specific per-episode salary figures are not publicly available, his consistent television work has been a significant contributor to his income.
Directorial Ventures
Beyond acting, Weller has directed extensively for television. In the 1990s, he directed episodes of “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Michael Hayes.” His 2000s directing credits include “Monk” and “Las Vegas.” He has directed episodes of “House,” “Longmire,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “The Strain,” “Under the Dome,” “The Last Ship,” “Tyrant,” “Salem,” “Game of Silence,” “Shades of Blue,” “MacGyver,” “Mayans MC,” and “Magnum P.I.” Directing fees for television episodes can range from $40,000 to $80,000 per episode for established directors, depending on the show’s budget and the director’s experience, thus contributing to Weller’s overall earnings.
Academic Pursuits
In the early 2000s, Weller returned to academia, earning a master’s degree in Italian Renaissance art history from Syracuse University in 2004. He subsequently pursued a PhD in the same field at UCLA, completing his doctorate in 2014. His academic achievements demonstrate a commitment to intellectual pursuits, although his primary income source remains his entertainment career. While he is a frequent contributor on The History Channel, specific compensation details are not publicly available.
Personal Life
Weller’s personal life includes a past relationship with actress Ali MacGraw. He later married actress Shari Stowe in the summer of 2006. Details regarding real estate holdings, personal investments, or specific lifestyle expenditures are not publicly available.
Peter Weller’s Notable Roles and Earnings
To further expand on Peter Weller’s career and how it has contributed to his $8 million net worth, let’s break down some of his most prominent roles and potential earnings associated with them.
RoboCop Franchise:
As mentioned earlier, Weller’s role as Alex Murphy/RoboCop is undoubtedly his most iconic. The original “RoboCop” (1987) was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $53 million worldwide on a budget of approximately $13 million. While his exact salary for the first film isn’t publicly known, it can be estimated that as a lead actor in a major studio film, he likely earned a salary in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. His role in “RoboCop 2” (1990) reportedly earned him $1 million. Considering the film’s success and his increased star power, this salary reflects a significant increase from the original.
Beyond the initial salary, actors can also earn residuals from films, which are payments made for the reuse of their work in various forms (e.g., television broadcasts, DVD sales, streaming). Given the enduring popularity of “RoboCop,” Weller likely continues to receive residuals from the franchise, though the specific amount would depend on his original contract and the film’s ongoing performance.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013):
Weller played the role of Starfleet Admiral Alexander Marcus in this blockbuster film, which grossed over $467 million worldwide. While his role wasn’t as central as his role in “RoboCop,” it was still a significant supporting role in a high-profile film. His salary for this role is not publicly available, but given the scale of the film and his established career, it’s reasonable to estimate that he earned a salary in the low to mid-six figures.
Television Roles (24, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, etc.):
Weller has had recurring roles in several popular television series, including “24,” “Dexter,” and “Sons of Anarchy.” Television actors’ salaries can vary greatly depending on the show’s budget, the actor’s experience, and the size of their role. Recurring roles in successful shows can be quite lucrative. For instance, actors in similar roles on comparable shows can earn anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 or more per episode. Over the course of a season, these roles can significantly contribute to an actor’s income.
Voice Acting (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns):
Voice acting can also be a significant source of income for actors. Weller voiced Batman in the animated film “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns,” which was well-received. While voice acting salaries can vary widely, established actors can command substantial fees for their voice work, particularly for iconic characters like Batman. It’s plausible that Weller earned a salary in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for this role.
Directing:
As previously mentioned, Weller has directed numerous episodes of television series. Directing fees for television episodes can vary widely, but as an experienced director with credits on established shows, it’s likely that he earned directing fees in the range of $40,000 to $80,000 per episode, or even higher in some cases. Over time, these directing fees have undoubtedly contributed significantly to his net worth.
It’s important to note that these are just estimates based on available information and industry standards. The actual figures may be higher or lower depending on the specifics of his contracts and negotiations.
Summary
In conclusion, Peter Weller’s $8 million net worth is the result of a long and diverse career spanning film, television, and directing. His iconic role in “RoboCop” remains a significant highlight, and his consistent work in television, along with his directing endeavors, have contributed substantially to his financial success.
