Daniel Craig’s financial success is no secret. You don’t need the detective skills of Benoit Blanc to uncover the reasons behind his massive net worth. The British actor’s journey to wealth has been marked by iconic roles, stellar performances, and astute career choices.
Craig’s rise to stardom began long before he stepped into the shoes of James Bond. He was already an accomplished actor, albeit not a household name. His desire was simple: to make a living doing what he loved. In his own words, “I wanted not to have to wait on tables, which I’d been doing since I was 16. I figured that if I could do it and pay the rent, then I was a success. Believe me, I’m completely a mere mortal.”
While Craig may see himself as an ordinary person, his portrayal of James Bond propelled him to international fame and made him one of the highest-paid actors in the world. Despite the glamour of the role, Craig always maintained that it was just a job to him.
Between his last two Bond films, “Spectre” and “No Time to Die,” Craig took a five-year hiatus due to the physical toll the franchise had taken on his body. He candidly admitted, “I was never going to do one again. I was like, ‘Is this work really genuinely worth this, to go through this, this whole thing?’ And I didn’t feel… I felt physically really low.”
Throughout his tenure as Bond, Craig aimed for consistency in his portrayal, earning him the nickname “the Grumpy Bond.” He was content with his unique take on the iconic character.
But what about his net worth? As of January 2023, Daniel Craig’s estimated net worth stands at an impressive $160 million.
Before becoming the suave secret agent, Craig’s journey to acting began at a young age. He started appearing in school plays and local productions at the age of six. To support his education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he worked part-time jobs, including waiting tables.
Before donning the tuxedo as Bond, Craig had a diverse acting career on both stage and screen. His early stage work included notable roles in productions like “Angels In America” and “Les Grande Horizontales,” where he met his future wife, Rachel Weisz. On television, he had appearances in shows like “Anglo Saxon Attitudes,” “Covington Cross,” “Zorro,” “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles,” and “Tales From the Crypt.
He also made his mark in films like “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” “Road to Perdition,” and “Layer Cake,” where his Bond-like swagger caught the attention of “Casino Royale” director Martin Campbell, eventually securing him the iconic 007 role.
In 2021, Daniel Craig was recognized as the highest-paid actor, thanks to a lucrative deal with Netflix for “Knives Out 2” and “Knives Out 3,” which earned him a staggering $100 million.
For his final Bond film, “No Time to Die,” Craig reportedly received $25 million. If the box office returns were favorable, he stood to earn even more. The film received stellar reviews and was expected to be a box office hit, especially with the star-studded supporting cast and royal red carpet appearances.
In previous Bond films, Craig’s earnings included $20 million for “Skyfall,” $7.2 million for “Quantum of Solace,” $27 million for “Spectre,” and $3.2 million for “Casino Royale.” In total, he earned an estimated $82.4 million from playing James Bond in five movies.
Despite the fame and fortune, Craig’s journey has not been without sacrifice. While filming “Casino Royale,” he famously lost two teeth during a fight scene but soldiered on without complaint.
In the realm of James Bond actors, Daniel Craig holds the distinction of being the highest-paid, as recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records. He played the iconic spy in five films, starting with “Casino Royale” in 2006 and concluding with “No Time to Die” in 2021.
When asked about his future as Bond in 2015, Craig famously quipped, “Now? I’d rather … slash my wrists [than do another Bond movie].” However, he remains emotional about his time as Bond and looks back on it with fondness.
In chronological order, Craig’s James Bond movies are:
- “Casino Royale” (2006)
- “Quantum of Solace” (2008)
- “Skyfall” (2012)
- “Spectre” (2015)
- “No Time to Die” (2021)
Determining Craig’s best movie is subjective, but according to Rotten Tomatoes, “Knives Out” is his best-reviewed film with a 97% Fresh rating. It’s followed closely by “Casino Royale,” “Fateless,” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” On Metacritic, “Knives Out” leads the pack with a score of 82.
In his personal life, Craig has been married twice. His first marriage was to Scottish actress Fiona Loudon from 1992 to 1994. In 2011, he married Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz in a small ceremony with just four guests.
Craig has two children, a daughter named Ella with Fiona Loudon and a daughter with Rachel Weisz born in 2018. He is also a stepfather to Weisz’s son from her previous relationship with director Darren Aronofsky.
Despite his substantial wealth, Craig has expressed his intention not to leave an inheritance for his children, stating, “Isn’t there an old adage that if you die a rich person, you’ve failed? My philosophy is get rid of it or give it away before you go.” His outlook on wealth reflects his down-to-earth nature and the idea that success isn’t measured solely by financial gain.
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