Lee Arenberg Net Worth

What is Lee Arenberg's Net Worth?

Lee Arenberg is an American actor, writer, and producer who has a net worth of $2 million.

Lee Arenberg is best known for playing the dim-witted pirate Pintel in the first three films of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. Frequently paired with Mackenzie Crook's Ragetti, Pintel appeared in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

Arenberg later portrayed Grumpy, also known as Leroy and Dreamy, throughout the seven-season run of ABC's fantasy drama "Once Upon a Time." He appeared in more than 50 episodes and reprised the character in the spinoff "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland."

Before landing those signature roles, Arenberg had already spent more than 15 years working as a prolific character actor. His film credits include "Tapeheads," "The Wizard," "Bob Roberts," "RoboCop 3," "Freaked," "Waterworld," and "Dungeons & Dragons." On television, he has appeared in "Seinfeld," "Friends," "Night Court," "Roseanne," "Married… with Children," "Arli$$," "Action," "Scrubs," "Californication," and "American Gods." He has also played several unrelated alien characters across four different "Star Trek" series.

Early Life and Theater

Lee Arenberg was born on July 18, 1962, in Palo Alto, California. He attended Santa Monica High School, where his classmates included future actors Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr., and Emilio Estevez.

Arenberg studied theater at the University of California, Los Angeles. While attending UCLA, he became part of the group of performers who established the experimental theater company the Actors' Gang in 1981. Founded under the artistic leadership of Tim Robbins, the company became known for its physical performance style, politically engaged productions, and reinterpretations of classic plays.

Arenberg spent several years developing his craft onstage before moving into professional film and television work. One of his first major professional theater jobs was a 1986 production of "Ghetto" at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

Early Film and Television Career

Arenberg made some of his earliest screen appearances in the comedy "Cross My Heart" and the music-industry satire "Tapeheads." In the latter film, he appeared alongside John Cusack and Tim Robbins.

He subsequently appeared in "The Wizard," "Brain Dead," "Class of 1999," and Robbins' political mockumentary "Bob Roberts." His gift for playing eccentric, intimidating, and heavily disguised characters led to supporting roles in "RoboCop 3," "Freaked," and the Kevin Costner action film "Waterworld."

During the same period, Arenberg became a familiar television guest actor. His early credits included "Perfect Strangers," "Sledge Hammer!," "Tales from the Crypt," "Night Court," "Roseanne," and "Married… with Children."

Arenberg made two memorable appearances on "Seinfeld" as Mike Moffitt, a bookie and acquaintance of Michael Richards' Kramer. In "The Parking Space," Mike becomes involved in a lengthy dispute with Jason Alexander's George Costanza over who was entitled to a parking spot. He returned several seasons later in "The Susie," when his attempt to repair Jerry's car leads to his thumbs being broken.

Arenberg also guest-starred on "Friends" as a man who becomes romantically involved with Rachel's neighbor and appeared in several episodes of the HBO sports comedy "Arli$$." He played studio executive Bobby Gianopolis in the short-lived Jay Mohr television satire "Action."

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"Star Trek" Roles

Arenberg appeared as four different alien characters in the "Star Trek" franchise. He made two appearances on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," playing Prak in "Force of Nature" and the Ferengi Bok in "Bloodlines."

He portrayed a Ferengi named Gral on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and played the Malon controller Pelk on "Star Trek: Voyager." More than a decade after his first franchise appearance, Arenberg joined "Star Trek: Enterprise" as a Tellarite ambassador who was also named Gral.

His ability to perform through elaborate prosthetics and makeup would later prove valuable in several of his most recognizable film and television roles.

"Pirates of the Caribbean"

Arenberg reached his largest movie audience when he was cast as Pintel in 2003's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." Pintel is a member of Captain Barbossa's cursed crew who frequently argues and schemes alongside the wooden-eyed Ragetti.

Although Pintel and Ragetti serve as comic relief, they also participate in many of the trilogy's major battles and gradually become two of the franchise's most recognizable supporting pirates. Arenberg underwent extensive makeup and costume work to create Pintel's filthy, balding, and heavily bearded appearance.

He returned for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" in 2006 and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" in 2007. The three films in which he appeared collectively earned more than $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office.

Arenberg did not return for the fourth or fifth installments. He later provided Pintel's voice for the video game "Disney Infinity."

"Once Upon a Time"

In 2011, Arenberg joined the cast of ABC's "Once Upon a Time." The series placed characters from fairy tales and Disney stories in the fictional Maine town of Storybrooke, where a curse had erased their memories of their former lives.

Arenberg played Leroy, the Storybrooke identity of Grumpy from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Flashback episodes revealed that the character was originally called Dreamy before disappointment and heartbreak transformed his personality.

Grumpy became one of the show's most frequently recurring Storybrooke residents. Arenberg appeared in all seven seasons, sharing scenes with actors including Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, and Robert Carlyle. He also played Leroy in an episode of "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland."

Later Work

While appearing on "Once Upon a Time," Arenberg took a recurring role on "Californication" as Ken, the demanding boss of Evan Handler's character. He also appeared in the films "Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy" and "College Fright Night."

In 2019, Arenberg portrayed the dwarf Alviss in the fantasy series "American Gods." His later film work included a supporting role in the Western drama "Last Train to Fortune," starring Malcolm McDowell, James Paxton, Mary Steenburgen, and Bernadette Peters.

Arenberg has also explored work behind the camera. He received writing and producing credits on the independent film "In the Gray."

Personal Life

Arenberg married writer and actress Lisa Derrick in 1999. The couple divorced in 2006. He later married Katie Meehan, with whom he has a son.

In addition to acting, Arenberg has remained connected to fan conventions and events celebrating "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Once Upon a Time," and "Star Trek." He has also supported children's health and animal-welfare organizations.

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