Edward Harrison Norton (born August 18, 1969) is an American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter. After graduating from Yale College in 1991, he moved to Manhattan to pursue acting. He gained recognition for his debut in Primal Fear (1996), earning a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination.
He starred in American History X (1998) and Fight Club (1999). Norton established Class 5 Films in 2003 and acted in films like The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) and Glass Onion (2022). He is an environmental activist and UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity.
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Edward Norton Net Worth
Edward Norton has a net worth of $300 million. He is a savvy technology investor, with early investments in Uber, becoming the first person (besides Travis Kalanick‘s parents) to take an Uber in Los Angeles.
Norton also funded analytics companies Kensho and EDO, with him being the largest individual equity owner in Kensho when it was sold to S&P Global for $550 million in 2018. Additionally, he co-founded the crowdfunding platform CrowdRise, acquired by GoFundMe in 2017.
Early Life
Edward Harrison Norton was born on August 18, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, into a progressive Episcopalian family. He was raised in Columbia, Maryland. His father, Edward Mower Norton Jr., was a Vietnam veteran, environmental lawyer, and federal prosecutor.
His mother, Lydia Robinson “Robin” (Rouse), was an English teacher who died in 1997. Norton’s maternal grandfather, James Rouse, founded The Rouse Company and co-founded Enterprise Community Partners. Norton began acting at age eight, later attended Yale College, and worked in Osaka, Japan after graduating in 1991.
Career
Edward Norton began his career in theater, writing scripts for Signature Theatre Company and performing in Brian Friel’s “Lovers” and Edward Albee’s “Fragments”. In 1995, he landed his first film role in “Primal Fear” (1996), earning Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
He starred in “The People vs. Larry Flynt” (1996) and “Rounders” (1998), later redeeming himself with “American History X” (1998), earning a second Oscar nomination. He gained major acclaim for “Fight Club” (1999) and starred in films like “Keeping the Faith” (2000), “Red Dragon” (2002), and “The Incredible Hulk” (2008).
Personal life
Since gaining fame in the mid-1990s, Edward Norton has avoided discussing his personal life publicly, stating he believes excessive media coverage distracts from his role as an actor. After The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), rumors spread about a romance with Courtney Love, which Norton denied, calling them just friends.
Love later claimed they dated for four years. After breaking up with Love in 1999, Norton dated Salma Hayek until 2003. He married Shauna Robertson in 2012, and they have two children.
What’s Edward Norton doing now?
Edward Norton is currently involved in acting and directing. He directed and starred in the crime film “Motherless Brooklyn” (2019) and appeared in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (2022). Beyond his film career, Norton is also known for his work as an environmental activist and social entrepreneur.
He continues to support various causes, including affordable housing and biodiversity, and serves as a trustee of Enterprise Community Partners and president of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.
Conclusion
Edward Norton’s career is a blend of artistic success and shrewd business acumen. His roles in iconic films, coupled with wise investments and endorsements, have solidified his status as one of the most successful actors of his generation.
FAQs about Edward Norton
- What is Edward Norton’s Net Worth?
- Approximately $300 million.
- What Movie Launched Edward Norton’s Career?
- “Primal Fear” (1996).
- Has Edward Norton Won an Oscar?
- No, despite three nominations.
- Why was Norton Replaced as Hulk?
- Creative differences with Marvel Studios.
- What are Some of Norton’s Major Technology Investments?
- Early investment in Uber, funding analytics companies Kensho and EDO, and co-founding CrowdRise.
