What Is Rowan Atkinson’s Net Worth?
Rowan Atkinson, a celebrated figure in comedy and acting, has amassed a net worth of $150 million. This substantial wealth reflects his successful career as an actor, screenwriter, and comedian, recognized particularly for his mastery of physical comedy and the iconic character of “Mr. Bean.” Beyond his signature role, Atkinson has demonstrated versatility across a range of performances, further solidifying his financial success. He is also an avid car collector, and his collection contributes to his overall wealth.
Rowan Atkinson’s Career and Earnings
Atkinson’s journey to a $150 million net worth began with early ventures into radio, including “The Atkinson People” in 1979. This one-man show highlighted his voice-acting skills and marked his entry into the entertainment industry. Shortly after, he started his journey on television with “Canned Laughter.” He then hosted the mock news show “Not the Nine O’Clock News”.
A pivotal moment in Atkinson’s career arrived in 1983 with the debut of “Black Adder,” a TV show where he played the lead role. That same year, he debuted in the film industry with “Never Say Never Again.” The series’ popularity grew with each season, including “Black Adder II” in 1986, “Black Adder the Third” in 1987, and “Black Adder Goes Forth” in 1989, thus establishing itself as one of Britain’s most popular comedies. While specific salary details for “Black Adder” are not publicly available, the show’s success undoubtedly contributed significantly to his early earnings.
The introduction of Mr. Bean in a 1990 TV special was another landmark. “Mr. Bean” transitioned into a regular television series until 1995, leading to feature films centered around the character. The first “Mr. Bean” movie, released in 1997, was a box office success, generating over $250 million worldwide on an $18 million budget. While Atkinson’s specific earnings from this film aren’t disclosed, it’s reasonable to assume he received a substantial portion of the profits, given his role as the star and creator.
Atkinson’s film career continued with roles in “The Witches” (1990) and “Hot Shots! Part Deux” (1993). In 1994, he appeared in “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” playing a vicar, and voiced Zazu in Disney’s “The Lion King.” His role in “Four Weddings and a Funeral” further boosted his profile, while “The Lion King” provided him with royalties from the film’s success and merchandise sales.
He returned to television in 1995 with a recurring role on the sitcom “The Thin Blue Line,” where he appeared until 1996. Details of his salary for “The Thin Blue Line” are not publicly available. The 2001 film “Rat Race” preceded his appearance in “Scooby-Doo” (2002), where he played Emile Mondavarious. The animated “Mr. Bean” series, which launched in 2002 and ran until 2019, added another revenue stream through voice acting and royalties.
In 2003, he continued his run of movie roles with “Love Actually,” as well as beginning the “Johnny English” film series, a parody of James Bond. The “Johnny English” series, including “Johnny English Strikes Back” and “Johnny English Strikes Again,” has grossed around $160 million per film, totaling nearly $480 million across all three films. While his exact percentage of the film’s earnings isn’t public knowledge, these films substantially contributed to his net worth.
Atkinson continued with film roles once again with the crime comedy “Keeping Mum” in 2005. In 2007, he released his second “Mr. Bean” movie, “Mr. Bean’s Holiday.” Like the first film in the series, it was very successful at the box office, with earnings of over $232 million on a relatively small budget. This film’s revenue was another boost to his earnings.
Atkinson returned to the theater world with a production of “Oliver!” in 2009 and a role in “Quarantine’s Terms” in 2013. From 2016 to 2017, Atkinson appeared in a short, four-part series called “Maigret”. Atkinson has also appeared in commercials for brands like M&Ms, Snickers, and Nissan. Details regarding his compensation for these commercial endorsements are not publicly available.
Rowan Atkinson’s Car Collection and Assets
Atkinson’s passion for cars is well-known, and his collection includes a Honda NSX, Jaguar Mk7, Aston Martin DB2, vintage Ford Falcon, 1939 BMW 328, and Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe. The values of these vehicles vary, but a collection of this caliber would be worth several million dollars.
One of the highlights of his collection was a McLaren F1, which he purchased for $1 million in 1997. He crashed the car twice, with one repair bill reaching $1.4 million. In 2015, he sold the McLaren F1 for $12 million. This sale represents a significant profit and demonstrates the investment potential of collectible cars. He recorded the 2nd fastest time ever documented on the track at Top Gear in his F1.
While specific details about his real estate holdings and other investments are not publicly available, it is likely that Atkinson has diversified his assets, contributing to his overall net worth of $150 million.
Rowan Atkinson: Early Life and Education
Rowan Atkinson was born on January 6, 1955, in Consett, England. His father was a farmer, and he was raised in an Anglican household alongside two brothers. Atkinson was an excellent student, and his high grades allowed him to attend Newcastle University, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He then went on to obtain his MSc in Electrical Engineering from The Queen’s College at Oxford in 1978. Although Atkinson was initially motivated to earn his doctorate, he quickly gravitated towards acting. By this time, he was already fairly involved in the acting world, having written sketches for a comedy group within Oxford. He was also involved with the Oxford University Dramatic Society.