Rowan Atkinson Net Worth

What is Rowan Atkinson's Net Worth?

Rowan Atkinson is an actor, screenwriter, and comedian who has a net worth of $150 million. Rowan Atkinson first gained national attention in the late 1970s as a member of the original cast of the BBC sketch series "Not the Nine O'Clock News," where his sharp physical comedy and precise vocal control set him apart. That success established him as a leading figure in British comedy and opened the door to starring vehicles built around his distinct comedic style.

Atkinson achieved global fame with "Blackadder," a historical sitcom that ran across four seasons and evolved from broad farce into one of the most acclaimed comedies in British television history. His portrayal of the cunning and perpetually self-interested Edmund Blackadder demonstrated his range as both a physical and verbal comedian. In 1990, he created his most iconic character with "Mr. Bean," a largely silent, visually driven comedy that transcended language barriers and became an international phenomenon, spawning films, animated series, and enduring cultural recognition.

In film, Atkinson expanded his reach through leading roles in the "Johnny English" spy spoof franchise, which parodied James Bond-style tropes while capitalizing on his gift for exaggerated incompetence. He also appeared in ensemble hits such as "Love Actually" and voiced the villain Zazu in Disney's "The Lion King." Alongside screen work, Atkinson maintained a strong presence in theater and live comedy, including acclaimed stage performances in "Oliver!" and "The Lion King" stage adaptation.

Outside of acting, Rowan is an avid car collector. He owns dozens of luxury sports cars. Perhaps most famously, he once owned a McLaren F1 that he crashed TWICE. He sold this McLaren for $12 million. More on this car and his collection later in this article.

Early Life

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. A third brother died in infancy. Academically gifted from an early age, Atkinson excelled in school and went on to attend Newcastle University, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He later continued his studies at The Queen's College, Oxford, completing a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1978.

Although he initially considered pursuing a doctorate, Atkinson increasingly gravitated toward performance while at Oxford. He became involved with the Oxford University Dramatic Society and began writing and performing sketches for student comedy groups. During this period, he developed many of the techniques that would later define his career, including precise physical control, vocal dexterity, and character-based humor.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Atkinson's professional career began in radio. In 1979, he starred in "The Atkinson People," a one-man BBC Radio 3 show in which he portrayed and interviewed a variety of fictional characters, showcasing his vocal range and comic timing. That same year, he made his television debut with "Canned Laughter" before becoming one of the central performers on the satirical news program "Not the Nine O'Clock News." The show became a major hit and established Atkinson as a leading figure in British comedy.

Around the same time, he gained prominence on the stage through appearances in "The Secret Policeman's Ball," performing alongside members of Monty Python and further cementing his reputation within the British comedy establishment.

"Blackadder" and Film Debut

1983 marked a pivotal year in Atkinson's career. He landed the lead role in "Blackadder," a historical sitcom that would evolve into one of the most acclaimed British comedies of all time. That same year, he made his film debut in "Never Say Never Again," an unofficial James Bond film, followed by a role in the short film "Dead on Time."

After delays due to budget concerns, "Blackadder II" premiered in 1986, refining the show's tone and format. Subsequent seasons, "Blackadder the Third" in 1987 and "Blackadder Goes Forth" in 1989, achieved critical and popular success, with the final season in particular becoming a landmark of British television comedy. Near the end of the series, Atkinson appeared in the romantic comedy "The Tall Guy."

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

"Mr. Bean" and Global Fame

In 1990, Rowan Atkinson introduced the character that would come to define his global legacy: Mr. Bean. First appearing in a standalone television special, the character quickly became the centerpiece of a series that relied almost entirely on visual storytelling, physical comedy, and minimal dialogue. Drawing inspiration from silent-era performers such as Charlie Chaplin and Jacques Tati, Atkinson deliberately designed Mr. Bean to function across cultures and languages. The result was one of the most internationally successful comedy characters in television history.

The original "Mr. Bean" television series ran from 1990 to 1995, producing just 15 episodes, an unusually small number given its enormous impact. Despite the limited episode count, the show achieved massive global reach through constant reruns and international syndication. Mr. Bean became especially popular in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where the near-silent format made it instantly accessible to non-English-speaking audiences. In many countries, the character was more recognizable than Atkinson himself, effectively turning Mr. Bean into a universal comic figure rather than a traditional television role.

The character's popularity extended far beyond television. Mr. Bean became a merchandising phenomenon, appearing in books, toys, animated shorts, video games, and live appearances. Atkinson frequently performed the character at major global events, including the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, where Mr. Bean's brief appearance became one of the ceremony's most widely shared moments.

Mr. Bean successfully transitioned to film with the 1997 release of "Bean," which grossed more than $250 million worldwide on an estimated $18 million budget. A second feature, "Mr. Bean's Holiday," followed in 2007 and earned over $230 million globally. Both films reinforced the character's broad appeal and proved that physical comedy could still drive major box office success in the modern era.

In 2002, the character was reimagined in animated form with "Mr. Bean: The Animated Series," which ran for nearly two decades and introduced the character to a new generation. Across television, film, animation, and merchandising, Mr. Bean became one of the most enduring and lucrative comedy creations of the late 20th century, cementing Rowan Atkinson's status as one of the most globally recognized entertainers in history.

Adam Berry/Getty Images

Film Success and the "Johnny English" Franchise

Atkinson returned to television in the mid-1990s with "The Thin Blue Line," a police sitcom that ran from 1995 to 1996. In 1997, he brought Mr. Bean to the big screen with "Bean," which grossed more than $250 million worldwide on a modest budget.

After appearances in films such as "Rat Race" and "Scooby-Doo," Atkinson starred in "Love Actually" in 2003. That same year, he launched the "Johnny English" franchise, parodying the James Bond archetype. The series became a major international success, with three films collectively earning nearly $480 million at the global box office. Additional film roles during this period included "Keeping Mum."

Later Career and Stage Work

In 2007, Atkinson released "Mr. Bean's Holiday," which earned over $230 million worldwide. He returned to the stage in 2009 with a revival of "Oliver!" and continued his theatrical work with "Quartermaine's Terms" in 2013. From 2016 to 2017, he starred in the television adaptation of "Maigret," playing the iconic French detective.

Atkinson has also made guest appearances on shows such as "Doctor Who," "Horrible Histories," and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien," and has appeared in high-profile advertising campaigns for brands including M&Ms, Snickers, and Nissan.

Personal Life

Rowan Atkinson married makeup artist Sunetra Sastry in 1990, and the couple had two children before divorcing in 2015. He later began a relationship with comedian Louise Ford, with whom he has one child, born in 2017.

Car Collection

Rowan Atkinson is a profound and dedicated car enthusiast whose collection is characterized by a love for engineering, racing pedigree, and unique, sometimes unconventional, performance vehicles. He holds a Category C (truck/HGV) driving license and has actively participated in motorsport events throughout his life.

Atkinson's collection is notably diverse, including classic sports cars, rare modern supercars, and vehicles with unique factory specifications. Unlike many collectors, he is known for driving his cars extensively, putting significant mileage on them.

Key Vehicles and Details

The Legendary McLaren F1

The crown jewel of Atkinson's collection was the **1997 McLaren F1**, one of only 72 road-going examples ever built. He put over 41,000 miles (64,000 km) on the supercar, believing that great cars should be used, not hidden away.

• Original Purchase Price (1997): Approximately $1 million (£640,000).
• Crashes: He crashed the car twice, first in 1999 and then in a more serious incident in 2011.
• Repair Bill: The repair for the 2011 crash took over a year and resulted in an estimated insurance payout of $1.4 million (£910,000), widely reported as one of the largest single-car insurance claims in British history.
• Annual Insurance Premium: After the crash, his premium for the car reportedly rose to $100,000 per year.
• Sale Price: Atkinson listed the F1 for $15 million in 2015, and he eventually sold it for approximately $12 million (£8 million), realizing a massive profit despite its extensive crash history.

Notable Vehicles (Past and Present)

Atkinson's collection is diverse, featuring classic race cars and modern supercars, often with unique specifications:

• Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé: Custom-fitted with an experimental 9.0-liter V16 engine for his role in the film Johnny English Reborn (2011).
• Aston Martin V8 Zagato (1986): One of only 52 coupe models; Atkinson had it modified for racing and later spent around $340,000 (£220,000) to have it rebuilt after a 2001 crash on the track.
• Vintage BMW 328 Roadster (1939): A pre-war classic race car valued at approximately $621,000 (£500,000).
• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT (2014): A modern supercar with gullwing doors.
• Honda NSX (2002): A Japanese supercar he has used as a daily driver.
• Lancia Thema 8.32: A unique 'sleeper' sedan that is factory-fitted with a Ferrari V8 engine.

Who's Richer?

Rowan
Atkinson

Compare!

Hugh
Grant