Richard Dreyfuss Net Worth

What is Richard Dreyfuss's Net Worth and Salary?

Richard Dreyfuss is an American actor who has a net worth of $1 million. If you were expecting a larger number for Richard Dreyfuss' net worth, please skip down to the next section below, where we discuss the various financial challenges he has experienced in the last decade, including a 2017 declaration from Richard himself in which he claimed to be totally "broke." However, we also want to point out that while Richard may indeed be having financial problems, he continues to own a home in Encinitas, California, that is worth around $2 million.

Richard Dreyfuss is an Academy Award-winning actor whose career has spanned over five decades, marked by critically acclaimed performances in both blockbuster films and intimate dramas. He first rose to prominence in the early 1970s with breakout roles in "American Graffiti" and "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," showcasing his ability to play complex, relatable characters. His status as a leading man was solidified with his performance in Steven Spielberg's 1975 megahit "Jaws," one of the first modern summer blockbusters, followed by another collaboration with Spielberg in the 1977 sci-fi classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

Dreyfuss won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1977 romantic comedy "The Goodbye Girl," becoming the youngest actor at the time to win in that category. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he remained a consistent presence in Hollywood, starring in films such as "Stand by Me," "Tin Men," "Stakeout," "Always," "What About Bob?" and "Mr. Holland's Opus," the latter earning him a second Oscar nomination. Known for his articulate, neurotic charm and expressive performances, Dreyfuss became a fixture in character-driven storytelling.

Financial Problems

In a February 2016 interview with The Daily Mail, Richard Dreyfuss referred to himself as "broke." It was a startling admission for someone who had earned tens of millions of dollars during his career. When the reporter followed up to see if he was exaggerating, Richard replied:

"The Truth is hard to say or hear, but I've had an amazing amount of bad luck financially, and I realized I didn't have the money I had… [When] I use the phrase 'I'm broke,' it means I'm broke. It means I don't have the money I had. I wanted to retire and take my wife on cruises. I can't afford that. I want to be able to go to Europe when I want. I can't."

In a follow-up answer, Richard expanded:

"I was never good with money. I spent too much and didn't think about the consequences. I was being a young spoiled movie star. When I finally met the business manager I have now, he said, 'Didn't anyone ever tell you to take a portion of each salary and put it aside in a special account you can't touch?' and I said, 'No.' Too bad for me. I didn't think about it."

Richard acknowledged that he was never good with money. Being twice divorced and an admitted former cocaine user clearly did not help his financial situation. He also proudly never took a film role for the money alone and retired from acting, which may have been a mistake in hindsight. It should also be noted that Richard owns a home in Encinitas, California, that is likely worth around $2 million. He bought the home in 2008 for $1 million using an $850,000 mortgage. The outstanding balance on the mortgage in 2021 was $660,000.

Early Life

Dreyfuss was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 29, 1947. His father was Norman Dreyfus, who worked as an attorney, restaurateur, and plastics company owner. His mother, Geraldine, was a peace activist. Dreyfuss and his father became estranged after his father left the family when Dreyfuss was 21. The two were not on speaking terms at the time of his father's death.

Dreyfuss was raised in Queens, New York, in a Jewish family. His father did not like living in New York, so he moved the family to Europe before moving to Los Angeles, California, when Dreyfuss was nine. He later attended Beverly Hills High School. He also began acting at the Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Art Center and the Westside Jewish Community Center. When he was 15, he appeared in the television production of "In Mama's House." He then attended San Fernando Valley State College for a year. During this time, he also worked in alternate service for two years because of his conscious objector status to the Vietnam War.

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Early Career

While completing his alternate service in Los Angeles, Richard Dreyfuss began picking up small television and film jobs that gradually introduced him to the entertainment industry. He booked minor roles on several popular series of the era, including "That Girl," "Gunsmoke," and "Bewitched," and he made early uncredited film appearances in "The Graduate" and "Valley of the Dolls." Alongside these screen roles, he immersed himself in stage work. In 1972, he appeared in a Los Angeles production of "The Time of Your Life" at the Huntington Hartford Theater, earning early attention for his intensity and comic timing.

Dreyfuss's momentum accelerated in 1973 when he landed the starring role in the CBS pilot "Catch-22" and appeared in George Lucas's ensemble hit "American Graffiti." His first lead film role arrived the next year in "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," which showcased his ability to carry a character-driven story and positioned him as one of Hollywood's most promising young actors.

Breakthrough Roles

Dreyfuss became a household name in 1975 when he starred in Steven Spielberg's thriller "Jaws," a film that became a cultural phenomenon and redefined the summer blockbuster. Two years later, he delivered major back-to-back performances in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The Goodbye Girl." His work in "The Goodbye Girl" earned him the 1978 Academy Award for Best Actor at just 30 years old, making him the youngest actor to win in that category at that time.

Career Challenges and Comeback

Following his meteoric rise, Dreyfuss stepped away from Hollywood to address substance abuse issues, a period he has spoken about openly in later interviews. By the mid-1980s, he staged a successful comeback with a string of popular comedies. He starred in "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" in 1986, followed by "Stakeout" in 1987 and "Moon Over Parador" in 1988. In 1989, he appeared in Spielberg's film "Always," and in 1991, he shared the screen with Bill Murray in the hit comedy "What About Bob?" He also produced and starred in the HBO historical drama "Prisoner of Honor," demonstrating a continued interest in prestige television projects.

Mid-Career Highlights

In 1994, Dreyfuss participated in the "Papal Concert to Commemorate the Shoah" at the Vatican, performing a spoken role in Kaddish with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in front of Pope John Paul II. The following year brought one of the most acclaimed performances of his career in "Mr. Holland's Opus." His portrayal of a dedicated music teacher earned him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win. In 1996, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Through the late 1990s and 2000s, he continued working steadily in film, television, and theater. He appeared in "Poseidon" in 2006, made his West End debut at The Old Vic in 2009, and portrayed Vice President Dick Cheney in Oliver Stone's 2008 biopic "W." Later credits include the 2014 documentary "Lincoln's Greatest Speech" and the 2019 film "The Last Laugh" with Chevy Chase and Andie MacDowell.

Other Work

Outside of acting, Dreyfuss has pursued several creative and civic projects. He co-authored the science fiction novel "The Two Georges" with Harry Turtledove, creating an alternate history in which the American Revolution never occurred. Beyond writing, he has become a passionate advocate for civics education. In 2006, he founded The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative, an organization dedicated to promoting civics literacy and encouraging more robust public engagement with democratic processes. He has spoken at universities, nonprofit events, and policy forums, and he has discussed civics issues on programs such as "Real Time with Bill Maher" and "Huckabee."

Personal Life

Richard has been married three times. In the early 1980s, Dreyfuss married Jeramie Rain, a writer and producer. They had three children together – Emily, Benjamin, and Harry. The couple divorced in 1995. He then married Janelle Lacey in 1999, but they divorced in 2005. In 2006, he married Svetlana Erokhin.

Real Estate

• In 1995, Richard sold a Los Angeles home to Kevin Costner for $2.7 million.
• In 2004, he sold a home in Sherman Oaks, California, for $1.88 million.
• In April 2008, Richard paid $1.0 million for a home in Encinitas, California. Today, this property, which sits on 1.2 acres, is worth around $2 million.

Feuds and Struggles

Dreyfuss has previously clashed with some of his co-stars and directors. He had known personality classes with other actors like Robert Shaw and Bill Murray. He also did not get along with director Oliver Stone. Additionally, in 2017, he faced allegations of sexual assault from writer Jessica Teich. Dreyfuss regretted for overly flirtatious behavior in the past but denied the allegations.

Dreyfuss struggled with drug use in the late 1970s. His cocaine addiction culminated in 1982 when he drove into a tree after blacking out while driving. He subsequently entered rehabilitation and was able to recover and reclaim his career. He has also been upfront about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2006. In terms of spiritual beliefs and worldviews, Dreyfuss is agnostic.

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