What Is Chris O'Donnell's Net Worth and Salary?
Chris O'Donnell is an American actor who has a net worth of $25 million. Chris O'Donnell has enjoyed a long and successful acting career, appearing in a number of Hollywood blockbusters and television series. Today, he is probably best known for his starring role in "NCIS: Los Angeles," although he had previously generated quite a reputation with films like "Batman & Robin," "Circle of Friends," and "The Three Musketeers" during the '90s.
Chris O'Donnell "NCIS" Salary
While Chris O'Donnell's salary per episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" fluctuated over time, both he and LL Cool J earned $150,000 per episode during the first few seasons. With backend points and bonuses, his salary peaked at $350,000 per episode.
Early Life
Christopher Eugene O'Donnell was born on June 26, 1970, in Winnetka, Illinois. Raised in a Roman Catholic household alongside six siblings, Chris graduated from secondary school in 1988. His father acted as a general manager for a radio station, and O'Donnell was inspired to get involved in the entertainment industry from an early age. By the time he was 13, Chris was a working model who also featured in various commercials. After graduating from high school, he attended Boston College and obtained a Bachelor of Science in marketing.
Career
One of O'Donnell's first major acting gigs was a McDonald's commercial in which he served Michael Jordan. While he was still in his teens, he appeared in the television series "Jack and Mike." The following year, the 17-year-old made his film debut in the movie "Men Don't Leave" alongside Jessica Lange. By the early '90s, Chris had established himself in Hollywood, and he went on to star in a number of high-profile films.
In 1991, O'Donnell appeared in the comedy-drama film "Fried Green Tomatoes." A much more prominent role came in 1992 when Chris joined the cast of "School Ties." Appearing alongside figures like Brendan Fraser and Matt Damon, O'Donnell played one of the key roles who becomes a close friend of Fraser's character – a hated Jewish classmate at an elite preparatory school. Despite the fact that this was a major step forward for Chris, "School Ties" became a critical and commercial disappointment. It received mixed reviews, and the movie failed to earn back its $18 million budget at the box office.
However, Chris made more of an impact later that year with "Scent of a Woman." This film also starred Al Pacino, and O'Donnell landed a prominent supporting role alongside the veteran actor. While Pacino won an Academy Award for Best Actor, Chris narrowly lost a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, which went to Gene Hackman instead. As a result of this performance, many onlookers considered him to be one of Hollywood's brightest future stars.
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The 1994 film "Blue Sky" was another positive step forward for Chris O'Donnell, who booked a starring role in the critically acclaimed film. Jessica Lange won an Academy Award for Best Actress as a result of her lead performance. The next year, O'Donnell appeared alongside Drew Barrymore in the film "Mad Love," a romantic drama that received mixed reviews and grossed over $15 million at the box office. Despite a lukewarm reaction to the film, Chris was singled out for praise by critics.
O'Donnell's next role would prove to be one of his most defining. Later in 1995, he booked the role of Dick Grayson (Robin) in the film "Batman Forever." Chris reportedly won the role amidst competition from actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jude Law, Scott Speedman, and many others. Although O'Donnell would eventually wrestle the role away from DiCaprio (the other main choice), Leo would get revenge later by booking the lead in "Titanic" (Chris was also strongly considered for that role).
After appearing in the film "The Chamber," O'Donnell reprised his role as Robin in 1997's "Batman & Robin." The film was a commercial success, but it was widely mocked by both fans and critics. What followed was a bit of an unproductive period for Chris, although he was considered for the lead role in "Spider-Man" before losing out to Toby Maguire. He was also considered for Will Smith's role in "Men in Black." His most notable films during this period were "The Bachelor" and "Vertical Limit."
Facing a damaged reputation after the "Batman & Robin" debacle, Chris moved towards television instead of film. He began with a few appearances in shows like "Two and a Half Man," "Head Cases," and "Grey's Anatomy." He then made a name for himself in the miniseries "The Company" before returning to film with "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" in 2008. In 2009, he booked a major role in "NCIS: Los Angeles," playing NCIS Special Agent G. Callen. This role would prove to be one of the most defining moments of his recent career. In 2010, he starred in the film "Cats & Dogs, The Revenge of Kitty Galore."
Relationships
In 1997, Chris married Caroline Fentress, who is rumored to be a school teacher. Over the course of their relationship, they have welcomed five children together. The family currently lives in Los Angeles and follows the Roman Catholic faith.
Real Estate
In 2008, it was reported that Chris O'Donnell was selling a property in Pacific Palisades, California, for $5.395 million. The 5,191-square-foot home features a grassy backyard complete with a pool. He originally acquired the home in 2000 for $2.95 million with the plans of raising their future family in an expansive residence.
