Net Worth Ranker
What Is Viggo Mortensen’s Net Worth?
Viggo Mortensen, the accomplished Danish-American actor, boasts a substantial net worth of $40 million. This impressive figure reflects his multifaceted career, encompassing roles as an actor, poet, musician, author, photographer, and painter.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on October 20, 1958, in Watertown, New York, Viggo Peter Mortensen Jr. spent his formative years navigating diverse cultural landscapes. His early education in South America laid the foundation for his linguistic abilities. Graduating from Watertown High School in 1976, he pursued higher education at St. Lawrence University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Politics. His initial foray into acting in 1985’s “The Purple Rose of Cairo” saw his scenes ultimately cut, a setback that didn’t deter his pursuit.
Mortensen secured his first on-screen role in the 1985 film Witness. That same year, he was cast in the soap opera “Search for Tomorrow” during its final season on the air. In the 1990s, Mortensen appeared in a variety of films, including “Young Guns II,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III,” “Carlito’s Way,” “Crimson Tide,” “G.I. Jane,” “A Walk on the Moon,” and many others.
The Lord of the Rings and Subsequent Success
The trajectory of Mortensen’s career experienced a significant shift in 1999 when he was cast as Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. While specifics of his salary for the trilogy are not publicly available, the films’ global success, grossing nearly $3 billion worldwide, undoubtedly contributed substantially to his financial standing. Although, the specific breakdown of his earnings is not available, it is understood that Viggo and other actors were paid handsomely for their roles.
Following “The Lord of the Rings,” Mortensen continued to secure prominent roles in critically acclaimed films, further bolstering his net worth. His performance in David Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence” (2005) and “Eastern Promises” (2007) garnered significant recognition, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for the latter. While precise salary figures for these films remain undisclosed, their success solidified his position as a leading actor and commanded higher fees for future projects.
In 2009, Mortensen starred in “The Road,” which, according to Box Office Mojo grossed over 27 million dollars. Also in 2009, Mortensen performed in the documentary film “The People Speak.”
His involvement in “Captain Fantastic” (2016) and “Green Book” (2018), the latter winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019, resulted in further Academy Award nominations and financial gains. While the exact amount he earned from these films isn’t public knowledge, such high-profile roles undeniably contributed to his overall net worth of $40 million.
Other Ventures and Income Streams
Beyond acting, Mortensen’s diverse artistic pursuits contribute to his financial profile. As an accomplished poet, musician, author, photographer, and painter, he generates income through the sale of his works and related projects. While the exact revenue from these endeavors is not publicly documented, they represent a consistent stream of earnings that complements his acting income.
Mortensen founded Perceval Press publishing house to help other artists by publishing works that might not find a home in more traditional publishing venues. He used some of his salary from “The Lord of the Rings” to found the company.
Mortensen also collaborated with guitarist Buckethead on several albums, mostly released on his own label through Perceval Press. Mortensen is also an author, with more than 15 books of poetry, photography, and painting published. His poems are written in English, Spanish, and Danish.
Real Estate Holdings
Viggo Mortensen’s real estate portfolio includes a home in Venice, California, and property in northern Sandpoint, Idaho. The precise values of these properties are not detailed, but they represent a tangible component of his overall net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Mortensen met actress and singer Exene Cervenka in 1986 on the set of the comedy “Salvation!” The couple married on July 8, 1987. On January 28, 1988, Cervenka gave birth to their son, named Henry Blake Mortensen. They separated in 1992 and divorced in 1997. In 1999, Viggo got a phone call about a movie he did not know anything about: “The Lord of the Rings.” At first, he didn’t want to do it because the lengthy shoot in New Zealand meant time away from his son. But Henry was a big fan of the books and convinced his father to take the role. Since 2009, he has been in a relationship with Spanish actress Ariadna Gil and currently lives in Spain with her.
