Daniel Craig has enjoyed a storied career, acting on the big screen since 1992. How much does he make for each on-screen appearance, though?
While Daniel Craig started out at the bottom with bit parts on film and television, he’d come to be the highest-paid James Bond actor in history. In 2018, he was earning as much as $25 million for his part in the classic and timeless spy movies.
Read on to learn more about Daniel Craig, and his time making big bucks on the big screen.
Becoming Bond
It’s likely that when Daniel Craig was born to a humble family in England in 1968, he didn’t know where he’d end up. His mother was a teacher, and his father served in the Merchant Navy. Craig’s upbringing wasn’t extravagant or especially eventful, and his parents divorced when he was young.
He was forced to relocate, had below-average performance in school, and was a fledgling actor. Although he’d dabbled on stage throughout his school career, it wasn’t ever anything serious. When he turned sixteen, he had a lucky break and was accepted into the UK’s National Youth Theatre.
At this point, he cut ties with the north of England where he was born and moved to London. His journey was a tumultuous one, and he saw disappointment after being turned down by numerous drama schools.
However, he eventually found luck once again and would graduate some years later from a school of music and drama.
His earliest roles didn’t scream ‘big star’. There were bit parts on some low-tier television shows and appearances in b-movies.
Throughout the nineties, he struggled to find his footing and really didn’t see much success. It’s safe to assume that at this point, he still didn’t feel he’d become the highest-paid James Bond actor in the history of the franchise.
When the millennium hit and the century ticked over, Craig started landing bigger roles. He’d appear alongside some big industry names, like Angelina Jolie, Michael Gambon, and Gwyneth Paltrow. He started gravitating toward action roles, playing the tough guy on more than one occasion.
His increasingly strong performances earned him the recognition of the British film industry, of course. In 2005, he was approached with the opportunity to portray James Bond. Since the sixties, James Bond has been one of the most adored figures on the big screen.
Shaken, Not Stirred
Reportedly, the industry was vocal in their disapproval of Craig being cast as Bond. There were many fans and critics who believed he wouldn’t be able to do the role the justice it deserved. However, by 2020, he would have starred in four Bond films, some of the highest-grossing of the franchise.
In 2017, Craig landed a massive $27 million salary for his part in Spectre, his third Bond movie. He’d consistently earned big bucks for the franchise, and that figure was increasing. It was reported that in 2016, he was offered a mindblowing $150 million to film two more Bond movies.
Although he was reportedly exhausted by the constant portrayal of Bond, he reprised the role again in 2020. In No Time To Die, Daniel Craig picked up – you guessed it – another $25 million for his Bond role. It’s incredible to mark up that figure when, in 2005, he was paid just $3 million for his first Bond film, Casino Royale.
You can see the trailer for No Time To Die below, taken from YouTube.
This put him, leagues, ahead of other Bond actors. The top name who’d assumed the role before Craig was Pierce Brosnan. In his final Bond film, Die Another Die, Brosnan secured a salary of $16.5 million.
The first-ever Bond actor, Sean Connery, received $17,000 in 1962 for the inaugural performance of Bond, in Dr. No.
While Daniel Craig has appeared in other films over the years, none of them have filled his pockets like Bond. Since the Millenium, he’s appeared in movies like Defiance, Cowboys and Aliens, The Golden Compass, and Tomb Raider. He’s also taken on cameo appearances in other productions, such as Star Wars.
As of 2020, Daniel Craig’s net worth was a reported $160 million. It’s assumed that more than $85 million of this is from his portrayal of James Bond.
He’s enjoyed his time on the stage, screen and has enjoyed some high-value endorsements over the years. It’s safe to say that the English A-lister with humble beginnings won’t be hurting for cash any time soon.