Kevin Spacey Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Inquire: Kevin Spacey’s Cash Accumulation

American Kevin Spacey, a leader in acting, directing, writing, and producing, was estimated to have a net worth of -$2 million. In the past, his net worth was remarkably higher, potentially reaching $50 million at the pinnacle of his career. Regrettably, due to personal controversies and legal disputes, Kevin’s career took a significant downfall, limiting his capacity to earn substantial acting fees. These controversies compelled Kevin to allocate millions towards legal expenses and court settlements.

During an interview with Piers Morgan in June 2024, Kevin revealed his financial hardships, highlighting no remaining funds, impending foreclosure on his Baltimore residency, constant threats of bankruptcy, and substantial legal debts accumulating over the past few years.

In November 2021, Kevin was instructed to pay Media Rights Capital, the production entity of “House of Cards,” $31 million in reparations for violating the contract terms by partaking in inappropriate behavior during production, both as an actor and a producer. This decision was corroborated in August 2022. Subsequently, reports indicated that Kevin ceased mortgage payments on a $5.6 million Baltimore condominium acquired in February 2017. Details unfolding further showcased movement towards foreclosure on the property by a debt collection agency in February 2024, escalating the debt to nearly $36 million with added interests. In an unforeseen turn in February 2024, Kevin supposedly settled the $31 million judgment on the premise of collaborating in MRC’s lawsuit against the show’s insurers.

Kevin Spacey attained widespread acclaim for his roles in movies such as “The Usual Suspects” (1995), securing an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and “American Beauty” (1999), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. His diverse skills as an actor were exhibited in films like “Seven” (1995), “L.A. Confidential” (1997), and “K-PAX” (2001). Noteworthy stage performances also defined his career, showcasing his role as the artistic director at London’s Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015, delivering acclaimed performances in productions such as “Richard III” and “Inherit the Wind.” However, Kevin’s career encountered setbacks post the multiple allegations of misconduct in 2017, leading to his exclusion from “House of Cards” and other projects.

Remuneration for ‘House of Cards’

During the height of his career in the early 2000s, throughout the era of “House of Cards” (2013 – 2018), Kevin could secure $10 million for a principal role in major films and $5 million for supporting characters. Concurrently, his involvement in acting and production on “House of Cards” propelled his earnings to $20 million per season in the later segments. His basic episode salary stood at $500,000.

The $30 Million Lawsuit

In January 2019, Media Rights Capital, the producer of “House of Cards,” sued Kevin, citing breaches of the Acting and Executive Producing Agreements related to workplace conduct, specifically violating MRC’s Harassment Policy. The lawsuit demanded remuneration directly from Kevin for the financial losses incurred due to the cancellation of the entire sixth season post filming two episodes. Additionally, MRC asserted that due to the hurried corrective actions, only eight episodes were constructed for the sixth season, five short of the initial Netflix order, resulting in substantial losses in licensing fees.

In November 2021, Kevin was ordered to pay $31 million, a sum comprising $29.5 million as compensatory damages alongside an extra $1.5 million for legal fees and incidental expenses. Progressing into early 2024, the debt surged to $36 million with additional interests. Surprisingly, in February 2024, Kevin reached a settlement with MRC, agreeing to provide testimony supporting the production company in a separate lawsuit against their insurance firms, Lloyds of London and Fireman’s Fund, who were sued by MRC for $150 million.

Financial Turmoil in Real Estate

Acquiring a home in LA’s Los Feliz area for $2.135 million in 1997, Kevin pursued another adjacent property in March 2001 for $1.9 million, eventually selling it for $2.535 million in May 2006.

In February 2017, Kevin invested $5.65 million in a Baltimore waterfront residence, strategically chosen due to its proximity to the “House of Cards” filming location. Initial reports indicated Kevin fell behind on the $20,000 monthly mortgage by mid-2022, accumulating $171,727 in arrears by February 2023. Subsequently, challenges escalated with the HOA filing a $43,400 lien in July 2023 attributing to the non-payment of a $2,600 monthly fee for nearly 16 months, further leading to a court-approved auction scheduled for February 29, 2024. A video tour from 2016, predating Kevin’s ownership, is available here:

Formative Years

Born Kevin Spacey Fowler on July 26th, 1959, in South Orange, New Jersey, Kevin’s upbringing, shared with two siblings, was under the care of his mother, a secretary, and father, a technical writer. Transitioning to California when Kevin was four, he acutely acknowledged instances of physical abuse from his father, described as a Nazi-sympathizing racist.

Attending military school during grades 10 and 11, Kevin participated in the theater production of “The Sound of Music” during his senior year at Chatsworth High School, adopting the name ‘Spacey’ post-graduation while venturing into New York City to enroll at the Juilliard School from 1979 to 1981, where he explored stand-up comedy.

Professional Journey

Marking his career inception in theater with roles in a Shakespeare play and the Broadway rendition of “Ghosts” in 1982, Kevin further fortified his status with prominent roles in productions like “The Misanthrope” and “Hurlyburly,” reaching a pivotal phase by securing roles in Broadway hits such as “Sleuth” and “The

“Seagull.”
His real breakthrough occurred later that year when he landed a role in the critically acclaimed production of “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.”

Transitioning briefly into television with “Crime Stories,” Spacey then shifted his focus toward film. While striving to establish himself in Hollywood, he continued to feature in a variety of plays, such as “Lost in Yonkers” in 1991, earning him a Tony Award for his exceptional performance. Additionally, he made appearances in TV series like “L.A. Crime” and “The Murder of Mary Phagan.”

Spacey’s entry into the realm of significant film roles happened with his appearance in “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” in 1989. Recognizing his acting prowess, he solidified his reputation as a captivating character actor in series like 1989’s “Wiseguy” and films including 1992’s “Glengarry Glen Ross.” Critics began to take notice after his roles in movies like “The Ref” and “Swimming With Sharks,” leading to his Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor in 1995’s “The Usual Suspects.”

That same year, he delivered one of his most iconic film performances as a serial killer in “Se7en.” The following year, an equally unforgettable portrayal was seen in “A Time to Kill” as an attorney. In 1998, he ventured into a significant voice acting role in the animated film “A Bug’s Life.” Spacey further cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s most talented stars in 1999 with his remarkable performance in “American Beauty,” earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Continuing to earn Tony Awards for his work in theater during this period, Spacey ventured into the 2000s with roles in “Pay it Forward” and “K-Pax.” In 2006, he portrayed a fitting Lex Luthor in “Superman Returns” and starred in 2008’s “21.”

Despite his deep involvement in theater in the following years, Spacey’s focus in the 2010s centered on “House of Cards.” From 2011 to 2018, he embodied the character of Frank Underwood until his departure from the cast due to sexual assault allegations. His time on the show was marked by numerous awards and nominations. Spacey also took on a producer role on the series starting in 2013, commanding a peak salary of $20 million annually. Additionally, he portrayed an antagonist in the 2011 film “Horrible Bosses” and appeared in “Billionaire Boys Club” in 2018.

In November 2022, reports surfaced that Spacey was to deliver a speech at the National Museum of Cinema and receive a lifetime achievement award in January 2023, despite the allegations against him. Following his victory in the sexual battery lawsuit brought against him, Spacey secured a role in the British indie thriller “Control” in late 2022. The same year, he was cast as the late Croatian leader Franjo Tudjman in “Once Upon a Time in Croatia.”

Controversy

Accused in 2017 of making sexual advances towards a 14-year-old boy back in 1986 when Spacey was 26, the actor responded with a public statement attributing the incidents to alcohol. Subsequent allegations emerged, with a total of 15 similar stories coming to light, hinting at a pattern of behavior. Most of the individuals who spoke up had sons linked to the entertainment industry, including the Old Vic theater, where representatives disclosed that 20 people had complained, and three had reported Spacey to the authorities.

Consequently, the production of “House of Cards” was halted, and the final season was abbreviated to just eight episodes. Moreover, several of Spacey’s film projects had to undergo reshoots with alternative actors following his departure from the cast. Eventually, he was abandoned by both his agent and publicist.

The onslaught of allegations in 2018 further tarnished Spacey’s reputation irreparably. In 2019, a man allegedly groped by Spacey took his own life, while three individuals associated with Spacey passed away that same year. While Spacey faced various court cases related to sexual and criminal assault, he was not penalized legally. Three charges were dismissed either before or during the trial, which commenced in June 2023. Ultimately, in July 2023, Spacey was acquitted of the remaining charges by a jury.

Other Ventures

In 1997, Spacey founded his own production company, Trigger Street Productions. The company was acquired by Relativity Media in 2016. Spacey has also ventured into directing various films and has made multiple appearances as a host on “Saturday Night Live.” Notable among his ventures in entertainment is his inclusion in video games, particularly “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.” In 2003, Spacey assumed the role of artistic director at the Old Vic Theater in London.

Personal Life

For a prolonged period, Spacey maintained a veil of privacy over his personal life, as he articulated in a 1998 interview: “The less you know about me, the easier it is to convince you that I am that character on screen. It allows an audience to come into a movie theater and believe I am that person.”

In October 2017, fellow actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of inappropriate behavior when Rapp was 14 years old. In response to the allegation, Spacey issued an apology, concurrently revealing his homosexuality. This revelation sparked controversy as Spacey associated his coming out with apologizing for advancements made towards a minor, a connection seen as perplexing by critics. In November 2022, Spacey emerged victorious in the sexual battery lawsuit filed by Rapp.