Michael Douglas' Net Worth In 2023 Shows It Pays to Be an OG Nepo Baby
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Gordon Gekko would be proud!
Michael Douglas' net worth was never likely to be low. The oldest son of legendary actor Kirk Douglas (and actress Diana Dill), Douglas enjoyed a privileged existence from birth, complete with a private school education and easily following in his parents’ theatrical footsteps. The actor has gone on to win two Oscars, one for acting and one for producing, as well as a number of other accolades.
Add to Douglas’s star power his high-profile May-December romance with Catherine Zeta-Jones and it’s clear why he is still in the limelight. And Douglas is still acting in major movies, like the new MCU film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. What exactly is in Douglas’s bank account after all these successful years?
Here is everything you’ve been dying to know about Michael Douglas’s net worth.
How did Michael Douglas become famous?
Michael Douglas began his entertainment career working as an Assistant Director on some of his father’s, Kirk Douglas, films in the 1960s. He had his first breakthrough acting role in 1959 with the CBS Playhouse special, The Experiment. He then used the clout from his last name to form his own independent film production company, Bigstick Productions, Limited. He appeared in smaller films throughout the late 60s and early 70s, including a role in Hail, Hero! that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.
His star power rose with a major role in the TV series The Streets of San Francisco, which ran from 1972 until 1976. Meanwhile, around the same time in late 1971, Michael’s father passed the film rights for the novel One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest to him. Kirk had wanted to play the lead, but his son deemed him too old for the role, which eventually went to Jack Nicholson. (It was a wise call, because Nicholson went on to win an Oscar for his performance!)
In 1976, Kirk made Michael and his other son Peter the head of his own production company, The Bryna Company, but Michael would leave the position by 1978 to focus on Bigstick Productions. Michael Douglas' film career received a major boon when he produced and starred in the hit romantic adventure company Romancing the Stone alongside Kathleen Turner, making him a bonafide movie star.
Related: Michael Douglas Shares 'Epic' Throwback Photo With Jack Nicholson
What is Michael Douglas' net worth in 2023?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Michael Douglas has a net worth of $350 million in 2023. He has earned this money through his work as an actor, voice actor and film producer—but of course coming from inherited wealth doesn’t hurt either!
Related: The 10 Best Roles Played by Michael Douglas in Film and TV
What is Michael Douglas' salary?
Michael Douglas’s salary depends on the project, including its budget and the size of his role — as well as whether he is a producer, solely an actor or acting and producing the project. In general, his largest film salaries have been between $10 million to $20 million, mostly for films in the 90s.
It is not known how much Douglas earns per episode for television roles, however it is likely in the high hundreds of thousands given his big name. It has been estimated that he earns upwards of $30 million per year, through his work as an actor and producer.
Related: 10 Things You Never Knew About Michael Douglas
How many films has Michael Douglas made?
Michael Douglas has a long resume. As of this writing in February 2023, he has 66 acting credits (and counting), 31 producer credits and one directing credit.
How much does Michael Douglas make per film?
Michael Douglas' salary per movie varies by project. Some of his highest reported paydays include $15 million for leading blockbusters like The American President and Basic Instinct, $20 million for A Perfect Murder and The Game.
How much does Michael Douglas make for The Kominsky Method?
It is not public knowledge how much Michael Douglas earned per episode for the Netflix series The Kominsky Method. However, because of Douglas' big name and acclaim as an actor, he likely earned in the high hundreds of thousands per episode for the three-season series.
Related: Michael Douglas on Why The Kominsky Method Felt Like 'Coming Full Circle'
How much did Michael Douglas make for Ant-Man?
Marvel Studios/Disney
It is not known how much Michael Douglas was paid for his role as Dr. Hank Pym in 2015’s Ant-Man.
Marvel Studios/Disney
It has been speculated that Douglas earned $850,000 for 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, however, this is unsubstantiated. It is likely Douglas has earned a payday in at least the single-digit millions for his involvement in the MCU and the three Ant-Man films.
Related: Marvel Trivia Questions and Answers for Superhero Superfans
How much did Michael Douglas inherit from Kirk Douglas?
When Kirk Douglas passed away on Feb. 5, 2020, at the age of 103, he was reportedly worth $61 million. However, given his son Michael Douglas’s already sizable net worth, Kirk made the decision to leave the bulk of his fortune, $50 million, to various charities—including his own, the Douglas Foundation. As Kirk basically gifted his son Michael a film career, and a very lucrative one at that, I’m sure he doesn’t hold a grudge!
