Alec Guinness, an Oscar-winning actor known for a slew of memorable films, died recently. He was a man of immense talent and theatrical prowess. He scored a slew of notable roles during his career, which helped him amass his reputation and money. Alec Guinness’ net worth was believed to be a whopping $100 million before he died, owing to his recurring part in the billion-dollar Star Wars franchise. He also made a lot of money from other TV shows and movies.
Alec Guinness was born on April 2, 1914, in Maida Vale, London, to Agnes Cuff and Andrew Geddes. The bright star died on the 5th of August, 2000, at the age of 86. He received multiple significant awards over his career, including a Golden Globe. During the Second World War, Guinness (CBE, CH) also served in the Royal Naval Reserve. He also led a landing craft during the invasion of Sicily. Merula Salaman, Alec Guinness’s wife, had been married to him since 1938 and remained with him until his death. Matthew Guinness, an English actor extensively involved in the theatrical field, is his son.
What is the Net Worth of Alec Guinness?
Alec Guinness made a huge fortune from the movies and television shows he appeared in throughout his career. And, while Star Wars was a huge commercial success both globally and for Guinness personally, there were a slew of other parts that helped him climb the Hollywood ladder. Alec Guinness’ net worth was reported to be $100 million at the time of his death.
Income from Movies
Guinness worked in theatres and was a part of several road-show plays and shows before the war and all the turmoil that surrounding England. He was allowed leave to appear in the Broadway production of Terence Rattigan’s play, Flare Path, which was a major success, owing to his skill as an actor, even during the war.
After starring in comedies such as The Lavender Hill Mob, The Ladykillers, Kind Hearts, and Coronets, Alec Guinness’ net worth began to rise. He even obtained his first main role in a film called The Card, in which he starred alongside Petula Clark. Guinness received special recognition for his collaboration with director David Lean. In reality, Lean directed 5 of the 20 BFI’s 100 greatest British films of the twentieth century in which he appeared.
25% of the gross revenue from the film. Now, that may not seem like a big problem, but considering the franchise’s current value of $70 billion, it probably equals to several million dollars (as of 2020.) But, as serene and peaceful as he was, the actor didn’t make a big deal out of it, or perhaps he just didn’t employ enough of the ‘power within him.’
Alec Guinness’s net worth grew significantly as a result of his income from Series Films, but he also did well in television. Smiley’s People, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, ITV Playhouse, Thirty-Minute Theatre, and Startime, among other shows, featured him.
Income from Television series
We may safely assume that Alec Guinness’ earnings from these television programs contributed to his increased net worth.
Income as an author
Alec Guinness’ novels had significantly boosted his income, in addition to his talent as an actor. The following are some of his novels, along with their prices:
Books | Prices |
Blessings in Disguise | $37.00(Hardcover),$52.87(Paperback),$49.99(Audio Cassette) |
My Name Escapes Me: The Diary of a Retiring Actor | $13.25(Hardcover), $21.32(Paperback),$15.98(Audio Cassette) |
A Positively Final Appearance | $56.60(Hardcover),$33.35(Paperback),$745.70(Audio CD) |
A Commonplace Book | $62.11(Hardcover) |
On Amazon, all of his books are available for purchase. It’s no surprise that the astute author made a tidy profit from the sales of these wonderful books, which helped Alec Guinness to accumulate a sizable fortune.
Despite the fact that he is no longer with us, the actor, who was known for his simplicity, purity, clarity, and class, had a long and fruitful career. This helped him acquire the respect of his co-stars, including Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford, who all spoke highly of him.
Alec Guinness has a prominent place in show business, a large fan base, and a huge net worth. He has genuinely blessed Hollywood with his enormous skill, which will last forever.
Early Life and Stage Career
Alec Guinness was born on April 2, 1914, in Paddington, London, England. He began his career writing advertisement text. On his 20th birthday, he worked as a student at the Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art in the play “Libel,” which premiered at Hammersmith’s Old King’s Theater before going to the West End’s Playhouse. Guinness went from a walk-on to a two-line understudy in a flash.
At the age of 22, he played Osric in a successful production of “Hamlet” at the Albery Theater. Later, he joined the Old Vic, where he was cast in a number of famous parts and collaborated with a number of actors who would later become his friends and future co-stars. Alec portrayed various Shakespearean roles in the late 1930s. He made a big success in adapting Charles Dickens’ novel “Great Expectations” to the theater in 1939.
Personal Life
From 1914 until his death in 2000, Alec was married to actress Merula Silvia Salaman. Matthew Guinness, their son, went on to become an actor. Guinness died in West Sussex on August 5, 2000. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer six months prior and with liver cancer two days prior to his death, while his wife was also diagnosed with liver cancer. Two months later, she passed dead.
Quick Facts
Net Worth: | $100 Million |
Date of Birth: | Apr 2, 1914 – Aug 5, 2000 (86 years old) |
Gender: | Male |
Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Profession: | Actor |
Nationality: | United Kingdom |