Net Worth Ranker
What Is Roy Scheider’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on February 10, 2008, at the age of 75, Roy Scheider’s net worth was estimated to be $30 million. A significant portion of this net worth was derived from his successful acting career in both film and television.
Real Estate Holdings and Key Financial Transactions
One of the major components of Roy Scheider’s net worth was a Hamptons mansion that he sold to singer Billy Joel in 2007 for approximately $18.75 million. Scheider had originally built this 5,500 square foot home in 1994. Located on 1.5 acres of oceanfront property in Sagaponack, the five-bedroom residence featured amenities such as two outdoor showers, 360-degree views, and four fireplaces. After acquiring the property from Scheider, Billy Joel later sold it in 2014 for $19 million.
Early Career and Film Breakthroughs
Born on November 10, 1932, in Orange, New Jersey, to Roy Sr. and Anna Scheider, Roy Scheider’s early life involved both baseball and boxing. He attended Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, graduating in 1950. During his time in high school, he boxed as an amateur, achieving an 8-1 record with six knockouts. He later studied drama at Rutgers University and Franklin & Marshall College before serving three years in the US Air Force as a first lieutenant. His early film career began in 1964 with a role in “The Curse of the Living Corpse.” However, his breakthrough came in 1971 with roles in “Klute” and “The French Connection,” where his performance as Detective Cloudy Russo earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He continued his film career with roles in thrillers such as “The French Conspiracy” and “The Outside Man.”
Iconic Roles and Peak Earnings
Roy Scheider’s most iconic role came in 1975, when he starred as Chief Martin Brody in Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws.” The film was a massive success, grossing over $470 million worldwide, though Scheider’s specific earnings from the film have not been publicly disclosed. Scheider reprised his role in “Jaws 2,” further cementing his status as a leading actor in Hollywood. He also starred in “Marathon Man” and “Sorcerer” during this period. In 1979, Scheider starred in Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz,” earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of a fictionalized version of Fosse. Specific financial details regarding his contracts and earnings from these films remain private, but these roles significantly contributed to his net worth.
Later Film and Television Career
In the 1980s, Roy Scheider continued his acting career with roles in “Still of the Night,” “Blue Thunder,” and “2010: The Year We Make Contact.” While specific salary figures for these roles are not publicly available, they contributed to his overall income. His television career included a main role in the science-fiction series “seaQuest DSV,” where he played Captain Nathan Bridger for the first two seasons. Details about his salary for “seaQuest DSV” are not publicly accessible, but such a prominent role would have provided a steady income stream. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Scheider continued to appear in various films and television shows, including “The Fourth War,” “Naked Lunch,” “The Punisher,” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” These roles, while not as high-profile as his earlier work, still added to his income and overall net worth.
Personal Life and Final Years
Roy Scheider was married twice, first to Cynthia Bebout in 1962, with whom he had a daughter named Maximillia. They divorced in 1986. In 1989, he married actress Brenda Siemer, with whom he had a son named Christian and an adopted daughter named Molly. In 2004, Scheider was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2005. He passed away on February 10, 2008. His real estate transaction involving the Hamptons mansion just a year before his death significantly impacted his financial portfolio. His net worth at the time of his death, estimated at $30 million, reflected his successful career and strategic real estate dealings.
