David Harbour Net Worth

What is David Harbour's net worth and salary?

David Harbour is an American actor who has a net worth of $6 million. David Harbour is best known for his breakout role as Chief Jim Hopper on the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things." His portrayal of the gruff but big-hearted small-town sheriff earned him international fame, an Emmy nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, transforming him from a respected character actor into a household name. Harbour's career, however, spans more than two decades across film, television, and stage, marked by a steady climb through diverse and often complex roles.

Born in White Plains, New York, Harbour began his career in theater, performing in several Broadway and off-Broadway productions. He made his television debut in 1999 with a guest role on "Law & Order" and soon became a familiar face in prestige dramas and crime thrillers. Early film appearances included supporting roles in "Brokeback Mountain," "The Green Hornet," "Quantum of Solace," and "Revolutionary Road," where he worked alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Harbour developed a reputation for bringing emotional depth and authenticity to morally conflicted or world-weary characters.

His true breakout came in 2016 with "Stranger Things," which quickly became one of Netflix's flagship series. Harbour's nuanced performance as Hopper—balancing vulnerability, trauma, and heroism—made him one of the most recognizable actors of the streaming era. Following that success, he took on larger film roles, including playing the title character in the 2019 "Hellboy" reboot and joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Alexei Shostakov, also known as Red Guardian, in "Black Widow" (2021) and its upcoming spinoffs.

Harbour continues to balance blockbuster roles with independent and character-driven projects, including the action-comedy "Violent Night" (2022).

Early Life

David Kenneth Harbour was born on April 10, 1974, in White Plains, New York. He was raised in a middle-class family by two parents who both worked in real estate. Harbour attended Byram Hills High School in Armonk, New York, where he was classmates with future actors Sean Maher and Eyal Podell. His interest in performance developed during his teenage years, when he began participating in school theater productions and exploring literature and drama. After graduating from high school, Harbour enrolled at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. While there, he joined the college's theater department and became active in classical stage performances, including Shakespearean productions. He graduated in 1997 with a degree in drama and Italian, setting the stage for a career in the arts that would evolve steadily over the next two decades.

Career

David Harbour began his professional acting career on the stage, making his Broadway debut in 1999 with a role in "The Rainmaker." The same year, he made his television debut with a small appearance on "Law & Order," a franchise he would return to several times in later years. His early stage work gained critical attention, particularly his performance in the 2005 Broadway revival of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," which earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

By the mid-2000s, Harbour was dividing his time between stage, television, and film work. He landed supporting roles in movies such as "Brokeback Mountain," "Revolutionary Road," "State of Play," and "The Green Hornet." He also appeared in the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace," playing CIA agent Gregg Beam. Although the movie received mixed reviews, it grossed nearly $590 million worldwide and expanded Harbour's exposure to international audiences. On television, he maintained a steady presence with recurring roles in acclaimed series like "The Newsroom," "Manhattan," and "Elementary," establishing himself as a respected and versatile character actor.

Harbour's career reached a major turning point in 2016 when he was cast as Chief Jim Hopper in Netflix's "Stranger Things." His performance as the tough yet emotionally complex police chief earned him widespread praise and turned him into a global star. The role brought Harbour two Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. The series itself became a cultural phenomenon, drawing record-breaking viewership for Netflix and developing one of the largest fanbases in streaming history.

Following the success of "Stranger Things," Harbour began receiving major film offers. In 2019, he starred in the reboot of "Hellboy," taking over the title role from Ron Perlman. While the film was a critical and commercial disappointment, Harbour's performance was generally seen as one of its few bright spots. He later reflected candidly on the project's failure, acknowledging that fans of Guillermo del Toro's original films were unlikely to accept the reboot.

Harbour rebounded with a new role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying the Red Guardian—also known as Alexei Shostakov—in 2021's "Black Widow." His portrayal of the flawed but endearing Russian super-soldier drew positive reviews and led to his inclusion in future MCU projects, including "Thunderbolts," scheduled for release in 2026.

In addition to his superhero roles, Harbour has diversified his post-"Stranger Things" career with both action and comedy projects. In 2022, he starred in the holiday action film "Violent Night," playing a battle-hardened version of Santa Claus who defends a family from armed robbers—a role that earned him praise for balancing humor and grit. He also appeared in the Gran Turismo–inspired 2023 biographical drama "Gran Turismo," playing a tough racing coach opposite Orlando Bloom and Archie Madekwe.

Beyond film and television, Harbour has remained active in theater and independent cinema, often gravitating toward roles that explore vulnerability beneath toughness. As "Stranger Things" heads toward its final season, Harbour has solidified his place as one of the most recognizable and versatile actors of his generation, transitioning from respected stage performer to global star with a career defined by depth, persistence, and reinvention.

Stranger Things Salary

David made $100,000 per episode for the first two seasons of "Stranger Things." There were 17 episodes during this period, which works out to around $1.7 million for the two seasons. Before the third season, both David and Winona Ryder received significant raises, increasing their payments to $350,000 per episode. That worked out to approximately $3 million in total earnings for Harbour during the third season.

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Relationships

In 2019, David Harbour began a relationship with singer Lily Allen. The two met in 2019 through the celebrity dating app Raya and quickly became an item, making their first public appearance together later that year. They married in September 2020 in a small Las Vegas ceremony officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator, followed by a lighthearted family meal at In-N-Out Burger. Allen's daughters from her previous marriage, Ethel and Marnie, were in attendance.

For much of their marriage, Harbour and Allen maintained a public image of warmth and humor, often discussing their unconventional relationship dynamics in interviews and on Allen's podcast "Miss Me?" The pair balanced their busy transatlantic careers, dividing time between London and New York, and Harbour frequently spoke with affection about becoming a stepfather and helping to raise Allen's two daughters.

However, by late 2024, reports began to surface that their relationship was under strain. In February 2025, multiple sources confirmed that Harbour and Allen had separated after four years of marriage. According to insiders, the marriage had been "crumbling" for some time, and Allen herself had recently alluded to going through a "tough period" affecting her mental health and eating habits.

Mental Health Issues

David Harbour has been open and candid about his lifelong journey with mental health, using his platform to advocate for awareness and destigmatization. As a young adult, he struggled with alcoholism and described that period of his life as one marked by self-destructive habits and emotional turbulence. He achieved sobriety in his early 20s, a decision he has credited with saving both his life and career.

In his mid-20s, Harbour was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after experiencing a series of manic and depressive episodes. Rather than hiding his diagnosis, he has chosen to speak publicly about it, describing how treatment and self-acceptance helped him achieve stability and purpose. Harbour has said that his experiences with mental illness have given him a deeper understanding of humanity—something he channels into his acting, especially in emotionally complex roles like Jim Hopper in "Stranger Things."

He has also reflected on his changing worldview, noting that in his youth he was drawn to spirituality and even believed in ghosts, but as he matured and confronted his mental health struggles, his beliefs became more grounded in psychology and self-awareness. Harbour has since emerged as a thoughtful and empathetic voice on the importance of therapy, emotional honesty, and resilience.

Real Estate

In 2021, David and Lily paid $3.35 million for a townhouse in Brooklyn, New York. In the wake of their divorce, they listed this property for sale in October 2025 for $7.99 million.

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