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Highlights

  • The film Elf , directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell, was a major box office success, grossing $227 million worldwide against a budget of $33 million.
  • The cast of Elf includes well-known celebrities such as James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, and Bob Newhart, who have all achieved impressive net worths throughout their careers.
  • Will Ferrell, who played the lead role in Elf , has an estimated net worth of $160 million and is not only a successful actor but also a shrewd businessman with investments in production companies and a soccer team.
  • Jon Favreau, the director of Elf , has an estimated net worth of $200 million and has had a successful career in various aspects of the film industry.

The 2003 film Elf has become a modern Christmas classic, gracing television screens across the world every Yuletide season – and the star-studded Elf cast went on to enjoy successful careers and amass impressive net worths in the meantime.

Elf was directed by Jon Favreau, and stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised by Santa's elves, who learns about his origins and heads to New York City to meet his biological father.

It also features the talents of James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, and Bob Newhart.

Elf was a major critical and commercial success, with many critics and audiences praising Will Ferrell's performance.

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Elf was a box office hit domestically; it grossed $178 million in the United States and Canada.

It also raked in $49 million from other territories, bringing its global total to $227 million against a production budget of $33 million.

Elf's Budget (Estimated)

$33 Million

Box Office (Domestic)

$178,053,220

Box Office (International)

$49,302,936

Box Office (Worldwide)

$227,356,156

Elf's cast included a number of well-known celebrities; let's take a look at their net worths today.

10 Andy Richter

Andy Richter's Net Worth (Estimated): $4 Million

Fans of Late Night With Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien will readily identify Andy Richter.

The American actor, writer, comedian, and producer has worked on the late-night talk show with Conan O'Brien as an announcer and writer for over thirty years, appearing in as many as 1,247 episodes and pocketing a vault full of paychecks.

Richter has also starred in his own television series, Andy Richter Controls The Universe, and voiced Mort in the Madagascar film franchise.

He played the role of Walter Hobbs' co-worker, Morris, in Elf; Richter made his money through acting, writing, and producing work, and also earns money from royalties from the Madagascar film franchise.

Andy Richter's net worth has fluctuated dramatically in recent years, from $10 million to $8 million to $4 million in late 2023.

In 2013, Richter purchased a home in Burbank, California, for $1.225 million.

He put the home up for sale in June 2023 for $2 million after divorcing his wife.

9 Faizon Love

Faizon Love's Net Worth (Estimated): $8 Million

Faizon Love has graced the big screen with his comedic talent for over three decades.

The Cuban-born American actor started off his career as a stand-up comic at age 15 and made his acting debut in an off-Broadway play at the age of 19.

His breakout performance came in the 1995 film Friday, where he played a drug supplier, Big Worm.

Love's follow-up films have included 3 Strikes, Elf, Money Talks, and Wonderland. In Elf, Love plays Wanda, Jovie's boss at Gimbel's department store.

Wanda is a demanding and uptight boss who fires Buddy from his temporary job as an elf.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Faizon Love's net worth is estimated to be around $8 million.

8 Ed Asner

Ed Asner's Net Worth (Estimated At The Time Of His Death): $10 Million

Celebrity Net Worth estimated Ed Asner's net worth to be around $10 million at the time of his passing in 2021.

Asner's career took off with his portrayal of Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show during the 1970s and early 1980s, propelling him to prominence and opening doors to numerous television shows and films.

With seven Emmy Awards out of 17 nominations, Asner was the most nominated male performer in the history of the Emmy Awards.

For younger audiences, Asner is best recognized for voicing the protagonist in the Pixar film Up and for his role in Elf as Santa Claus.

After years of critical and commercial success in TV, Asner purchased a ranch-style home in Studio City, California, for $540,000 in 1996; he would later sell the house for $1.955 million in 2019, according to the Los Angeles Times.

7 James Caan

James Caan's Net Worth (Estimated At The Time Of His Death): $20 Million

The silver screen legend was worth over $20 million by 2022, according to Yahoo Finance, thanks to his extensive career in the industry.

James Caan is best known for his iconic roles in films like The Godfather, Misery, and Elf.

Caan's breakthrough came in 1972 with his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Sonny Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. This role paved the way for a successful career spanning over five decades.

His diverse filmography and enduring popularity have contributed significantly to his net worth at the time of his death in July 2022.

While his initial salary for The Godfather was a modest $35,000, the film's immense success generated substantial residual income for Caan through royalties.

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In 2015, court documents revealed that Caan earned $1 million in royalties. The actor also reportedly earned $140,000 annually from the Christmas classic Elf, per Celebrity Net Worth.

In addition to his acting income, Caan also invested in real estate.

In 2003, he purchased a 5,146-square-foot home in Beverly Hills for $2.25 million and later sold it to Entourage creator Doug Ellin for $3.8 million in 2015.

6 Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel's Net Worth (Estimated): $25 Million

Zooey Deschanel boasts an estimated net worth of $25 million.

Deschanel's impressive net worth can be attributed to her multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, which includes a thriving music career as a singer and songwriter.

Deschanel's acting credits include prominent roles in films like 500 Days Of Summer and Elf, as well as her starring role in the popular television series New Girl.

Her musical talents have also contributed to her wealth, as she has released several successful albums and performed in various concerts.

Deschanel's acting career has been a significant source of income.

In particular, her role as Jess Day in New Girl reportedly earned her a per-episode salary of $125,000.

5 Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage's Net Worth (Estimated): $25 Million

Peter Dinklage gained prominence, Emmy Awards, and a hefty paycheck when he played Tyrion Lannister in the critically acclaimed HBO series Game Of Thrones.

Peter Dinklage’s net worth is widely estimated to be about $25 million, and Dinklage's salary on Game Of Thrones made headlines.

In 2018, The Hollywood Reporter indicated that his per-episode compensation reached $1.2 million for the epic fantasy's final two seasons.

In total, Dinklage's earnings from Game Of Thrones alone could surpass $30 million.

He has also featured in other film projects, including X-Men: Days Of FuturePast, The Boss, and the Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes.

His versatility as an actor has led to diverse roles and further expanded his net worth.

Dinklage's role in Elf showcases his comedic talent, as he plays Miles Finch, a mean-spirited author seeking attention from others.

4 Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart's Net Worth (Estimated): $65 Million

Bob Newhart is a household name in the entertainment realm, with a successful career that has spanned over six decades.

Newhart's success began in the 1960s as a stand-up comedian, where his unique deadpan style brought him international acclaim.

Newhart's transition into acting further expanded his financial success. He starred in the popular television sitcoms The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, earning recognition and numerous accolades, including two Emmy awards.

The Grammy award-winning actor is estimated to be worth $65 million, thanks to his enduring success as a stand-up comedian, actor, television personality, and his business ventures.

Newhart's real estate investments have also contributed to his net worth.

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In 1990, he purchased a 1.4-acre compound in Bel Air, California, for $4.2 million, which has since appreciated significantly in value.

He would later sell the residence for $14.5 million in 2016, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

3 Mary Steenburgen

Mary Steenburgen's Net Worth (Estimated): $80 Million

From her Oscar-winning roles to her unexpected journey into songwriting, Mary Steenburgen's consistency in show business has seen her net worth rise to an estimated $80 million.

Steenburgen's breakthrough came in Jonathan Demme's 1980 comedy-drama film Melvin And Howard, for which she won the Academy Award for "Best Supporting Actress" in 1980.

This early recognition propelled her into a successful career spanning over four decades.

Steenburgen has an extensive real estate portfolio with her husband, Ted Danson. In 2005, the couple bought a nine-acre property in Ojai, which they later sold in 2019 for $8.75 million.

They also own other properties, primarily in the Los Angeles area.

In 2014, the couple purchased a home in Santa Monica, California, for $3.5 million and later expanded their property in 2019 by acquiring the neighboring house for $5.2 million.

They also own a small cottage in Nashville and a six-acre multi-residence spread on Martha's Vineyard.

2 Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell's Net Worth (Estimated): $160 Million

Will Ferrell brought Buddy from Elf to life around the time his career started to take off in earnest.

Ferrell's successful career in comedy, coupled with lucrative investments and business ventures, has amassed him an estimated net worth of $160 million.

Ferrell's journey to the limelight and financial success began with his record-breaking salary on the Saturday Night Live (SNL) where he earned an estimated $17,500 per episode.

His deft comedic skill propelled him to stardom in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when he commanded up to $20 million per movie.

Beyond acting, Ferrell is a rambunctious businessman. He has some behind-the-scenes revenue streams, such as production companies like Gary Sanchez Productions and Funny Or Die.

Additionally, the Emmy Award-winning actor is part-owner of the Los Angeles FC soccer team, further demonstrating the diversified investment strategy that has seen him earn so much in the industry.

1 Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau's Net Worth (Estimated): $200 Million

For nearly four decades, Jon Favreau has reigned in Hollywood, both on and off the screen.

The actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and voice actor has garnered an estimated net worth of $200 million through his various endeavors in the film industry.

Favreau's breakthrough occurred not long before the 2003 film Elf, (which became a massive commercial and critical hit), alongside Vince Vaughn in the 1996 cult classic Swingers.

Favreau directed, wrote, produced, and featured in Elf, which turned him into a holiday cash machine.

Favreau also worked with Marvel Studios and Disney to resurrect the superhero genre, making the Marvel Cinematic Universe the most profitable franchise in the film industry:

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Favreau founded Golem Creations Ltd, a television production company. The company produced The Mandalorian, The Book Of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka for television, in partnership with Lucasfilm.

The renowned filmmaker also dabbles in real estate. He owns a three-property compound in Santa Monica, California, which he acquired for $7 million.

Favreau also owns a former aquarium in Venice, California, which serves as his production company's headquarters.

In 2021, he purchased an $8,600-square-foot mansion in Laguna Beach, California, for $24.3 million.

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