Net Worth Ranker
What Is Simon Monjack’s Net Worth?
Simon Monjack, a British screenwriter, director, producer, and make-up artist, had an estimated net worth of $500,000 at the time of his death in May 2010. This figure represents the culmination of his earnings from various creative endeavors within the entertainment industry. While specific details regarding the breakdown of his net worth are not publicly available, it is understood to have been derived primarily from his work in film production, writing, and potentially some earnings from his brief involvement as a hair stylist and makeup artist.
Early Life and Education
Simon Mark Monjack was born on March 9, 1970, in Hillingdon, Greater London, England. He spent his formative years growing up in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. During his childhood, he attended Juniper Hill School in Flackwell Heath, followed by the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe. These educational institutions played a role in shaping his early life, though specific details about his academic performance or extracurricular activities are not widely documented. His father, William, worked at British Airways but tragically passed away from a brain tumor when Simon was only 15 years old. His mother, Linda, worked as a hypnotherapist, and details regarding her income and Monjack’s specific inheritance are not known.
Career Highlights and Projects
Monjack’s career in the film industry included various roles, demonstrating his versatility. He wrote, directed, and produced the 2001 film “Two Days, Nine Lives.” Although specific financial details about this film’s budget, box office earnings, or Monjack’s compensation are unavailable, it represents a significant project in his career. Additionally, he received credit as a writer and executive producer on the 2006 film “Factory Girl.” However, the circumstances surrounding his involvement were controversial. Director George Hickenlooper publicly disputed Monjack’s contribution, claiming he had no actual involvement and pursued a lawsuit making false claims. A settlement was reached, but the specific financial terms were not disclosed. In 2007, there was an announcement that Monjack would direct a film adaptation of D.M. Thomas’s novel “The White Hotel,” with his wife, Brittany Murphy, slated for a starring role. However, this project never came to fruition, and specific financial implications remain unknown. In 2009, Simon worked as Brittany’s hair stylist and makeup artist on the film “Abandoned.” The film was released in August 2010 after their deaths. The salary for this role has not been made public.
Details on Monjack’s earnings for each specific project remain undisclosed, making it difficult to provide a precise breakdown of his income streams. It is important to note that film production is an industry with fluctuating income, depending on the success of the projects and the individual’s negotiated compensation.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Monjack faced legal and financial challenges throughout his life. In 2005, he was charged with credit card fraud, but the charges were later dropped. Specific details about the amount of money involved in the fraud case are not available. In 2006, the mortgage firm Coutts and Co. sued him for $470,000 after he was evicted from four homes. This lawsuit highlights financial difficulties he faced, but the ultimate outcome and settlement terms are not publicly known. In 2007, he was arrested for having an expired visa, resulting in nine days of jail time. The financial implications of this arrest, such as legal fees or fines, are not specified. Also in 2007, his ex-wife pursued legal action to recover money owed from their divorce settlement. The exact amount he owed is not publicly known.
Personal Life and Relationships
Simon Monjack was married twice. His first marriage was to Simone Bienne, from 2001 to 2006. Details on the divorce settlement remain private. He married actress Brittany Murphy on April 12, 2007, in a private Jewish ceremony held at their Los Angeles home. The house, which they shared with Brittany’s mother, Sharon Murphy, was a 9,400 square foot Hollywood Hills property that Brittany purchased from Britney Spears for $3.85 million in 2003. On December 20, 2009, Brittany Murphy died at the age of 32. The coroner’s report cited pneumonia, iron-deficiency anemia, and drug intoxication from prescription and over-the-counter medications as contributing factors. After Brittany’s death, Simon co-founded the Brittany Murphy Foundation with Sharon Murphy. The foundation focused on children’s arts education and cancer research, but it was later shut down due to financial irregularities. Specific details about the donations received, funds disbursed, and Monjack’s financial contributions to the foundation are not publicly available.
Death and Estate
In early 2010, Monjack’s mother revealed to “People” magazine that he was “unwell” and had suffered a “slight heart attack a week from Brittany’s death coming back from Puerto Rico.” On May 23, 2010, Simon Monjack was found unconscious by Sharon Murphy in the same Hollywood Hills home where Brittany had died. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. The cause of death was determined to be acute pneumonia and severe anemia, the same causes cited in Brittany Murphy’s death. He was buried next to his wife at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. The disposition of Simon Monjack’s estate after his death is not publicly detailed. It is unknown who inherited his assets, including any royalties or future earnings from his previous works, but some sources speculate that Brittany Murphy’s mother was the main beneficiary. The sale of the Hollywood Hills home for $2.7 million in 2011 potentially provided funds for the estate, but the precise allocation of these funds remains undisclosed.
