James Spader Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is James Spader’s Net Worth and Salary?

Born in Massachusetts, actor James Spader holds a net worth of $30 million. He first gained fame in the 1980s through notable films like “Pretty in Pink,” “Less Than Zero,” and “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” the last of which earned him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Known for his unique screen presence and his talent in portraying intricate characters, Spader has also become a fixture on television. He played the quirky attorney Alan Shore in both “The Practice” and its spin-off “Boston Legal” from 2003 to 2008, earning him three Emmy Awards.

In 2013, he took on the role of the mysterious former government agent Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington in the NBC crime thriller “The Blacklist,” receiving acclaim and captivating a new generation of viewers.

Although he is predominantly recognized for his television work in recent years, Spader’s career encompasses voice acting, particularly as the antagonist Ultron in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Blacklist Salary

During seasons 1-7 (133 episodes) of “The Blacklist,” James Spader earned $160,000 per episode, totaling about $3.5 million per season before taxes and a cumulative $21.3 million for those seasons. For seasons 7-10 (85 episodes), his salary increased to $300,000 per episode, amounting to $6.6 million for a 22-episode season and about $25.5 million pre-tax for those seasons. Overall, James Spader’s earnings from The Blacklist reached around $50 million before taxes.

Early Life

James Todd Spader was born on February 7, 1960, in Boston, where he grew up with two older siblings. Both of his parents were involved in education. He describes his childhood as “progressive,” surrounded by influential women. As a child, he attended various private schools and studied under his parents at different institutions. After moving to Phillips Academy, he fostered a friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr.

At the age of 17, Spader dropped out of school, relocated to New York City, and began to pursue acting. As he sought to break into the entertainment industry, he worked various odd jobs, including farm work, yoga teaching, and truck driving.

Career

James Spader’s acting career commenced in the early 1980s with a part in the movie Endless Love. He secured a more significant role in 1985’s Tuff Turf, but his major breakthrough came in 1986 when he portrayed a wealthy high school student in Pretty in Pink. Throughout the 1980s, he continued to star in films such as Mannequin, Less Than Zero, Baby Boom, and Wall Street.

A pivotal moment in his career was the release of the 1989 film Sex, Lies, and Videotape, where he played a voyeur. The film received high praise from critics and grossed over $36 million worldwide, despite its limited release. Spader was highlighted with acclaim, ultimately winning Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival.

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Success continued for Spader in the 1990s, where he began the decade with parts in films like White Palace, Bad Influence, True Colors, and Music of Chance. Noteworthy was his performance as an Egyptologist in the sci-fi cult favorite Stargate. That year, he also made a mark with his role as an assassin in the controversial film Crash and appeared in 2 Days in the Valley.

James Spader landed his first significant television role in 1997 with a guest appearance on Seinfeld. The start of the 2000s saw him in films such as The Watcher and Secretary. In 2002, he portrayed Alan Shore in The Practice, which transitioned to a recurring character on Boston Legal. Between 2004 and 2008, Spader portrayed Alan Shore on Boston Legal, earning three Emmys and various other accolades for his performances.

Notoriety as a voice actor came to Spader in 2006 with his narration of the Discovery Channel documentary China Revealed. He subsequently provided voice work for Acura commercials. In 2009, he graced Broadway in the success of Race, a significant play by Ben Mamet.

Initially a guest role, his appearance in The Office in 2011 transitioned into a recurring part during the eighth season. In 2013, he secured a recurring role as a fugitive pursued by the FBI in The Blacklist. A remarkable film role came in 2015 when he portrayed Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Personal Life

In 1987, James Spader wed his first wife and they had two children before their divorce in 2004. After meeting on a film set, he began dating actress Leslie Stefanson in 2002, and they share a son. Spader has acknowledged struggles with obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Real Estate

In November 2002, James acquired a home in Los Angeles for $1.74 million, selling it in July 2016 for $4 million.

Later, in February 2016, he purchased a waterfront property spanning 3.7 acres in Marion, Maine, for $1.1 million, which included a small island off its coastline.