Don Johnson Net Worth: How Did 1980s Heartthrobs Like Him Become Millionaires Through Miami Vice?
Don Johnson is a name that sparks nostalgia amongst many viewers. That’s especially true for those who remember his effortlessly cool portrayal of Detective Sonny Crockett in the iconic 1980s series “Miami Vice.”
Over the years, Don has proved that his talent isn’t just a result of mere charisma. With a career in television, film, and even music, this guy has shown he’s more than just a handsome face in a white suit.
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So, how much did he accumulate throughout his career? What is Don Johnson’s net worth exactly? Let’s dig into the numbers and get to know more about the financial standing of this Hollywood star.
Don Johnson: Personal Profile
Prior to becoming the wealthy man he is right now, Don Johnson actually struggled hard growing up. He even fought harder for a spot under the Hollywood umbrella.
Check out a few key highlights of his personal profile before we move on to discussing his finances:
- Full Name: Donnie Wayne Johnson
- Date of Birth: December 15, 1949
- Place of Birth: Flat Creek, Missouri
- School: Wichita South High School
- Education: The University of Kansas and the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) in San Francisco
- Profession: Actor, producer, and singer
- Parents: Wayne Fred Johnson and Nell Eva Leigh
- Siblings: Four (Linda, Greg, Deanne, and Casey “K.C.” Johnson)
- Marital Status: Married
- Current Spouse: Kelley Phleger (m. 1999)
- Ex-Spouse: Melanie Griffith
- Children: Five (Atherton Grace, Jasper Breckinridge, Deacon, Dakota, and Jesse Wayne Johnson)
- Net Worth: $50 million
- Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
Don Johnson: Net Worth
Throughout his career, which started in the early 1980s, Don has accumulated an impressive net worth estimated at $50 million. Such a huge amount of money shows his decades-long, versatile career in the entertainment industry as an actor, producer, director, and musician.
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From his memorable role in “Miami Vice” to his more recent hits like “Knives Out,” Don’s continued success is proof of his admirable talent. Here’s a breakdown of Don’s main sources of income:
1. TV Appearances
Don Johnson’s biggest and first real opportunity was his role in “Miami Vice.” Back in the 1980s, the show was a massive hit, and Don reportedly made between $30,000 and $35,000 per episode. At the time, this was an enormous paycheck.
Such success has paved the way for Don to receive more roles and grow his acting career.
In the late 1990s, he starred in “Nash Bridges,” where he also worked behind the scenes as a producer. This dual role boosted his earnings remarkably, with reports suggesting that he earned around $150,000 per episode.
As the years passed and his hair turned gray, Don’s charisma remained as strong as ever. Even in recent days, he’s stayed active on TV with appearances in shows like “Watchmen” and “Kenan.” These projects helped him remain in the spotlight and continued adding to his wealth.
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2. Film Career
While he’s best known for his TV roles, Don’s film career also played a role in building his fortune. Over the years, he’s appeared in a wide range of movies, which accentuated his versatility as an actor.
In his early days, Don starred in movies such as “Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man” and “Tin Cup.” These roles kept him in demand during the transition from the “Miami Vice” era and demonstrated his ability to take on different characters.
In 2012, Don made a notable appearance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.” Although he wasn’t absent from Hollywood during the years prior, this specific role was a standout moment for him. It brought him renewed attention and introduced him to fresh audiences.
Later, in 2019, Don joined the cast of “Knives Out,” a box office hit that grossed over $300 million worldwide. As a part of a group filled with huge Hollywood names, Don’s performance stood out and added a nice boost to his bank account.
3. Music
Don didn’t just stick to acting; he also gave music a try, and it turned out to be a smart move. In the 1980s, when he was at the height of his “Miami Vice” fame, he released his debut album, “Heartbeat.” To everyone’s surprise, it became a hit.
In fact, the title track made it into the Billboard Top 10, and the album went platinum, which was a decent boost to his earnings.
Over the following years, Don worked with some of the biggest names in music, like Barbra Streisand. Moreover, he recorded a duet with Willie Nelson. While he didn’t continue making albums for long, the money he earned from his short music endeavors added to his fortune.
4. Real Estate Investments
Besides being a multi-talented Hollywood star, Don has also made some fruitful decisions in real estate. Principally, he’s owned several luxury properties throughout the years of his career. Buying and selling these high-end homes has added quite a sum to his wealth.
One of Don’s most notable investments was a beautiful French country-style farmhouse in Montecito, California. Alongside his wife, Kelley Phleger, he bought the property in 2013 and later sold it for a substantial profit.
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Despite living mostly in Los Angeles, Don has owned homes in other desirable locations as well.
Don Johnson: Royalties Lawsuit
In 2010, Don Johnson filed a lawsuit against Rysher Entertainment, claiming they owed him syndication profits from the TV show “Nash Bridges.” A few months later, the court ruled in his favor and ordered an award of $23.2 million for him.
After appeals, the parties settled in 2013, and Don received a $19 million payment.
