David Strathairn Net Worth

David Strathairn net worth is estimated at $6 million, reflecting a long, critically acclaimed career spanning more than four decades across film, television, theater, and producing. Known for his thoughtful, understated performances, Strathairn has built his fortune through a steady stream of high-profile roles, award-winning projects, and consistent work in both independent and mainstream Hollywood productions.

David Strathairn is widely respected for portraying intelligent, morally complex characters, most notably journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Dr. Carlock in HBO’s Temple Grandin (2010). With more than 130 acting credits, Strathairn remains one of the most dependable character actors of his generation.

Early Life

David Russell Strathairn was born on January 26, 1949, in San Francisco, California. He was raised in a medical household—his mother, Mary, was a nurse, and his father, Thomas, was a physician. He grew up alongside two siblings, Tom and Anne.

Strathairn attended Redwood High School in Larkspur, California, before enrolling at Williams College in Massachusetts. While at Williams, he met future collaborators John Sayles and Gordon Clapp, relationships that would prove pivotal to his early career. He graduated in 1970, but before fully committing to acting, he briefly joined the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, spending six months traveling with the circus—an unconventional but formative experience.

Film Career

Strathairn made his film debut in 1979 with John Sayles’ Return of the Secaucus 7, marking the start of a long collaboration with the acclaimed director. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he became a fixture in intelligent, socially conscious films, including:

• Silkwood (1983)
• Matewan (1987)
• Eight Men Out (1988)
• City of Hope (1991)
• A League of Their Own (1992)
• The Firm (1993)
• Dolores Claiborne (1995)
• L.A. Confidential (1997)

His performance in City of Hope earned him an Independent Spirit Award, cementing his reputation as a serious dramatic actor.

Oscar Recognition

The defining moment of David Strathairn’s career came in 2005 with Good Night, and Good Luck, in which he portrayed legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow. The role earned him:

• An Academy Award nomination
• A Golden Globe nomination
• A BAFTA nomination
• Multiple critics’ awards

The film itself was a critical and commercial success, significantly boosting Strathairn’s profile and long-term earning potential.

Major Blockbusters

While known for indie and prestige projects, Strathairn has also appeared in major commercial films that contributed to his net worth, including:

• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) and The Bourne Legacy (2012) as CIA official Noah Vosen
• The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
• Lincoln (2012), directed by Steven Spielberg
• Godzilla (2014) and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
• Nomadland (2020), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture
• Nightmare Alley (2021)

These projects provided higher salaries and backend compensation compared to smaller independent films.

Television Success and Emmy Win

Television has been a major contributor to David Strathairn net worth, especially later in his career. His notable TV roles include:

• The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1988–1991)
• The Sopranos (2004)
• Alphas (2011–2012)
• The Blacklist (2015–2016)
• Billions (2017–2019)
• The Expanse (2018–2019)

His Emmy-winning performance in Temple Grandin and subsequent nominations for Hemingway & Gellhorn further solidified his standing as a top-tier television actor.

Stage Career

In addition to screen acting, Strathairn has performed extensively on stage. His Broadway credits include:

• Einstein and the Polar Bear
• The Three Sisters
• Dance of Death
• Salome
• The Heiress

Though stage work is less lucrative than film and television, it has reinforced his artistic credibility and expanded his career longevity.

Personal Life

David Strathairn married nurse Logan Goodman in 1980, and the couple has two children, Tay and Ebbe. His son Tay Strathairn is also an actor and appeared alongside his father in Eight Men Out and Nomadland.

Strathairn is known for maintaining a low-profile personal life. In 2008, he narrated a video introducing Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, reflecting his occasional involvement in political and civic causes.

Real Estate and Assets

A significant asset contributing to David Strathairn net worth is his real estate investment. In 1990, he purchased a home in Clinton Corners, New York, for approximately $100,000. The property sits on more than 12 acres and includes a spacious residence, offering both privacy and long-term value appreciation.

David Strathairn Net Worth

David Strathairn net worth is estimated to be $6 million.