Rebecca Gayheart Net Worth

Rebecca Gayheart is an American actress and former model with an estimated net worth of $5 million. She rose to fame in the early 1990s after becoming widely known as “The Noxzema Girl,” a title that made her one of the most recognizable faces in American advertising at the time. Gayheart successfully transitioned from modeling into television and film, building a diverse acting career that included hit teen dramas, cult-favorite horror movies, Broadway theater, and acclaimed guest roles on major TV series.

While her career experienced highs and setbacks, Gayheart remains a familiar name in Hollywood, remembered for her impact on 1990s pop culture and her resilience in the face of personal tragedy.

Early Life

Rebecca Gayheart was born on August 12, 1971, in Hazard, Kentucky, and raised in the small town of Pine Top. Her mother, Floneva Gayheart, worked as an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay, while her father, Curtis Gayheart, was a coal-truck driver and miner. She grew up in a working-class family with three siblings.

From a young age, Gayheart displayed an interest in performance. As a freshman at Knott County Central High School, she portrayed Lizzie Borden in a stage production, signaling her early acting ambitions. At age 15, she won a modeling contest that prompted a move to New York City, where her career trajectory changed dramatically.

In New York, Gayheart attended the Professional Children’s School and trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, balancing her studies with commercial work. During this period, she appeared in ads for major brands such as Burger King, Campbell’s Soup, and J.C. Penney, laying the groundwork for her later fame.

Breakthrough as “The Noxzema Girl”

In the early 1990s, Rebecca Gayheart became a national sensation after appearing in a highly successful series of Noxzema skincare commercials. Her fresh, wholesome image resonated with audiences, earning her the nickname “The Noxzema Girl.”

The campaign significantly boosted her visibility and opened doors in television and film, making her one of the most recognizable young models-turned-actresses of the decade.

Television Career

Gayheart made her on-screen acting debut in 1990 with a New York University short film directed by her then-boyfriend, Brett Ratner. Her first major television role came in 1992, when she was cast as Hannah Mayberry on the daytime soap opera Loving, appearing in more than 140 episodes.

Her television career accelerated in the mid-1990s with key roles including:

• Earth 2 (1994–1995) – NBC science-fiction series
• Beverly Hills, 90210 (1995) – recurring role as Toni Marchette, which earned her widespread attention
• Wasteland (1999) – ABC drama series created by Kevin Williamson
• Dead Like Me (2003) – Showtime series, recurring role
• Guest appearances on Nip/Tuck, Ugly Betty, CSI: Miami, Medium, and The Cleaner

Gayheart’s television work showcased her versatility, as she moved comfortably between drama, comedy, and genre series.

Film Career and Horror Fame

Rebecca Gayheart became a recognizable figure in late-1990s cinema, particularly within the horror genre. Her film credits include:

• Nothing to Lose (1997) – opposite Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins
• Scream 2 (1997) – part of one of the most successful horror franchises of all time
• Urban Legend (1998) – cult-classic slasher film
• Jawbreaker (1999) – dark teen comedy that gained retro popularity
• Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000) – cameo appearance
• From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter (2000)
• Harvard Man (2001) – alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar

In later years, she appeared in independent and supporting roles, including G.B.F. (2013) and Grey Lady (2017), the latter starring her husband, actor Eric Dane.

In 2019, she had a notable cameo in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, portraying Billie Booth, the deceased wife of Brad Pitt’s character.

Broadway and Stage Work

In addition to screen acting, Gayheart earned critical acclaim onstage. In 2005, she starred as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie in a Broadway production of Steel Magnolias, receiving strong reviews for her performance. Critics praised her emotional depth and stage presence, marking one of the most respected achievements of her career.

Personal Life

Rebecca Gayheart was in a long-term relationship with director Brett Ratner from her teenage years until 1999. She later married actor Eric Dane on October 29, 2004. The couple has two daughters:

• Billie Beatrice Dane (born 2010)
• Georgia Geraldine Dane (born 2011)

After years of public ups and downs, Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018. However, in March 2025, she filed to dismiss the divorce petition after seven years of separation. In April 2025, Dane publicly revealed his diagnosis with ALS, bringing renewed public attention to their family.

In late 2025, Gayheart was romantically linked to hotel entrepreneur Peter Morton, though she has remained largely private about her personal relationships.

Fatal Car Accident and Aftermath

In June 2001, Gayheart was involved in a tragic car accident in Los Angeles that resulted in the death of 9-year-old Jorge Cruz Jr. She later pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to probation, community service, a fine, and license suspension.

The incident had a profound effect on her personal and professional life. Gayheart later spoke openly about her emotional struggles following the accident, describing it as the most devastating period of her life.

Real Estate

In 2006, Gayheart and Dane purchased a home in Los Angeles for $1.64 million. In 2011, they acquired a second property in the Beverly Hills Post Office area for $2.4 million, which remains her primary residence. The home is now estimated to be worth around $4 million, representing a significant portion of her net worth.

Rebecca Gayheart Net Worth

As of recent estimates, Rebecca Gayheart net worth is approximately $5 million.