Tim Williams Net Worth

What is Tim Williams' net worth and salary?

Tim Williams is an American actor who has a net worth of $1.5 million. Tim Williams is best known internationally as the "Trivago Guy," the face of the German hotel search engine's long-running advertising campaign. With his casual style, slightly scruffy beard, and relaxed delivery, Williams became an unlikely cultural phenomenon, particularly in the United States, where the ads began airing in 2014. Between 2014 and 2018, Tim appeared in around 30 Trivago commercials. The commercials were shot on green screens in Berlin and Mexico.

For years, viewers debated his look, wardrobe, and quirky presence, which turned him into a pop culture talking point far beyond the usual lifespan of a commercial spokesperson. Before his fame as the Trivago frontman, Williams built a career as a character actor in both American and German film and television, and his path to becoming an advertising icon is one of the more unusual success stories in modern marketing.

Early Life

Timothy Leigh Williams was born in Houston, Texas. Growing up, he pursued a strong interest in the arts and eventually trained as an actor, studying theater and performance. By the 1990s, he was building a career in American entertainment, taking on roles in both film and television. His early work established him as a versatile performer with the ability to move between comedy and drama.

Acting Career

Williams first gained exposure in the mid-1990s with appearances in Hollywood productions. He had small roles in films such as "The Alamo," "Labyrinth of Lies," and the political drama "Valkyrie," which starred Tom Cruise. On television, he guest-starred in shows including "Law & Order" and "My So-Called Life," proving his adaptability in both American network TV and independent projects.

In addition to his American credits, Williams became heavily involved in German entertainment. Relocating to Berlin in the early 2000s, he found steady work in German films and television series, carving out a niche as an American character actor abroad. His bilingual skills and cultural adaptability made him an asset in international productions, and he developed a reputation in Europe as a reliable supporting player.

(Photo by Peter Bischoff/Getty Images)

The Trivago Campaign

In 2013, Williams auditioned for and was cast as the spokesperson for Trivago, the German hotel search company that was rapidly expanding into new global markets. The campaign, which launched widely in 2014, featured Williams in casual clothes—often an open-collar shirt, sometimes untucked—delivering lines in a direct, slightly unconventional manner. The ads stood out because they did not follow the polished, overly slick style of most commercial campaigns.

Audiences reacted strongly. Some viewers found his look disheveled and strange, while others embraced him as refreshingly relatable. The debate over his style made Williams a viral sensation, with countless memes, online articles, and even late-night comedy references to the "Trivago Guy." The campaign ran for years across multiple continents, making him one of the most recognizable advertising figures of the 2010s.

Between 2014 and 2018, Tim appeared in 30 commercials for Trivago.

Trivago Salary

The amount of money a commercial actor can make depends heavily on whether or not it's a commercial campaign and if it turns into a recurring spokesperson role. For an average one-off national commercial, the actors with speaking roles will typically make $5,000-20,000 depending on the number of shoot days. Once someone becomes an official spokesperson, for example, Tim Williams and Trivago, their time is typically bought out by the company for large flat rates.

In a 2024 interview, Tim revealed he had three contracts with Trivago during his time with the company. He further stated that he: "had a million in my bank for about three days… until the [German] government [took] half of it away [for taxes]." He was not paid for the number of impressions the ad was shown, which would have resulted in a significantly higher payout.

Later Work and Public Image

As his fame grew, Williams leaned into the notoriety. He appeared in interviews and public events, often poking fun at his own unusual rise to fame. His Trivago persona even underwent a small "makeover" during later iterations of the campaign, with the company dressing him more sharply in response to fan commentary.

Despite his association with Trivago, Williams has continued to pursue acting opportunities. He has remained based in Germany, working in both European and American productions while maintaining his role as a cultural figure tied to one of the most talked-about ad campaigns of its time.

Personal Life

Tim Williams lives in Berlin, where he has raised his family and built his acting career. Outside of his work, he has been involved in the city's cultural scene and enjoys music, often performing as a singer and musician. While he remains best known worldwide as the "Trivago Guy," Williams continues to balance commercial fame with a broader career in film, television, and theater.

Who's Richer?

Tim
Williams

Compare!

Jim
Cashman