To whom much is given, much is expected. With great power (or wealth) comes great responsibility. These are just two of the plethora of wise quotes and sayings that tell us that having loads of money doesn’t mean you store it all up for your own pleasure; you’re meant to share it with others. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’re supposed to give away all of your money. Not even a little bit. You deserve to treat yourself too! But many of those who have so much tend to go overboard and start splurging left and right with nary a care that there are millions of people around the world who live in poverty with hardly a dime to their name.
Those most guilty of indulging in wealth and luxury are Hollywood stars. Yes, the big A-listers are stinking rich. They’re swimming in money, designer clothing, mansions, luxury vehicles, and private jets. And many of them do indulge in more than the occasional multi-million dollar purchase. But many of our favorite celebs are also very aware that not everyone is as materially fortunate as they are, and so they never fail to give to those who are in need or live way below their means. Here are some ways some of our favorite stars spend their hard-earned money.
15 Angelina Jolie
No, she didn’t earn her stripes and stars in the entertainment industry as the daughter of the actor Jon Voight. In fact, Angelina Jolie, who was born Angelina Jolie Voight, purposely dropped her last name when she decided to become an actress, so as to dissociate herself from her father. Being the daughter two celebrity parents, it’s no surprise that the brunette beauty dabbled in some acting even as a child. But it was her supporting role in the 1999 film Girl, Interrupted that heads in Hollywood turning and realizing that she wasn’t just a pretty face. Jolie is today considered Hollywood’s highest paid actress and she’s reportedly worth around $160 million and though she has given a lot of her time and energy for her philanthropy work, she certainly doesn’t deprive herself from splurging. She reportedly bought hubby Brad Pitt his very own luxury helicopter for $1 million so that they could fly to and from Cannes whenever they pleased.
14 Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage was notorious for being one of the biggest spending celebrities in the world and that was even after he sort of dropped off the radar in terms of being a hot ticket in Hollywood. During his heyday, he appeared in commercially and critically successful films such as Con Air, City of Angels, Face/Off, National Treasure, and the film that won him an Academy Award, Leaving Las Vegas. He hasn’t appeared in a big box office film in years, but that doesn’t stop him from spending his hard-earned savings left and right. And his expenses are nothing short of frivolous. He was said to have purchased a 67-million-year old dinosaur skull worth $276,000, a comic book collection worth a total of $1 million, and a 28-room Bavarian castle, which he was forced to sell in 2009 due to some financial struggles. With his careless spending habits, is it any wonder that he fell into debt for a time?
13 Keanu Reeves
There’s hardly any negative publicity when it comes to Keanu Reeves, which proves he’s either a genuinely good guy or knows how to cover his tracks. But we’re putting our money on the former because he really does exude that all-around good boy image. He’s come a long way since his days in the Bill and Ted film franchise, buffing up and becoming all dream-worthy when he starred in the 1994 thriller Speed. He embraced his role as Neo in The Matrix films and appeared in other widely received movies such as Devil’s Advocate, Constantine, and John Wick. Reeves is known for his very generous spirit and living below his means. It was reported that he donated $75 million of his profit from The Matrix films to the special effects and costume design teams because he felt they deserved it. That was just one of the many times that Reeves displayed how generous he is!
12 Daniel Radcliffe
Not very many people get a shot at stardom in this or the next life, much less fame and success at the tender age of 11. Daniel Radcliffe can easily boast of becoming a big star even before he hit puberty when he was cast in the very much coveted and highly anticipated lead role of the Harry Potter movie franchise. He was lucky to bear a striking resemblance to JK Rowling’s beloved character, with his dark mop of hair and green eyes—all that was missing was a scar on his forehead, easily rectifiable by movie make-up magic. Today, Radcliffe is richer than millions of kids in his age group, no thanks to Harry Potter and he has given back through the many charities he supports, most of which focuses on the youth. He’s said to value his beauty sleep because he was said to have spent a whopping $17,000 on a mattress. For that amount, let’s hope he’s getting the rest and relaxation he wants so that he gets his money’s worth!
11 Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt has been around for decades and he’s a fine example of a man who ages like wine. He first gained recognition as the hottie who seduced (and the robbed) Geena Davis’ character in the critically acclaimed 1991 film Thelma and Louise. He went on to star in A River Runs Through It, Legends of the Fall, and Interview with the Vampire, all considered excellent films. He continued on with his success and was rarely far from the limelight, especially because his personal life was always very colorful. He was engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow, married Jennifer Aniston, and has six kids and eventually married Angelina Jolie. Who wouldn’t be morbidly fascinated with that kind of relationship track record? Like his wife Jolie, Pitt is also very passionate about his philanthropy work, but he has more than enough cash to make the occasional splurge. He bought at painting by German artist Neo Rauch for almost $1 million. Peanuts for the likes of him really.
10 Steven Spielberg
He may not be a blockbuster actor, but he is certainly a blockbuster director, having directed dozens of movies that have gone down in Hollywood history as some of the best in the crop. Steven Spielberg has been an institution in Hollywood for more than four decades and counting. He’s not only an acclaimed director, but a producer and screenwriter as well, with dozens of awards tucked under his belt. He has won an Academy Award for Best Director twice: the first for Schindler’s List and the second for Saving Private Ryan. With his films grossing more than $9 billion in total, it’s no wonder Spielberg can spend his money on his passion, which is movies. He’s said to have forked over $60,500 to buy Rosebud, the sled that was especially crafted for the final scene in Orson Welles’ 1941 classic Citizen Kane. Spielberg called the sled a “symbol of quality in the film business.”
9 Leonardo DiCaprio
That Oscar statue had eluded him for almost two decades, ever since he was nominated for his impressive performance as Johnny Depp’s character’s developmentally challenged younger brother in the 1994 film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Leonardo DiCaprio finally won that much deserved Academy Award for Best Actor for the film The Revenant in 2016 and he was famously captured by the media looking on in fascination as his Oscar statue was engraved with his name. DiCaprio keeps a fairly low profile when it comes to his personal life, though he’s known to have date leggy models and actresses, like Gisele Bundchen, Bar Refaeli and Blake Lively. He’s also known for his environmental activism, even using his earnings to set up a non-profit organization to promote environmental awareness. It’s no surprise therefore, that DiCaprio forked over $10 million to build an eco-friendly home in New York City. The home is said to have a centralized system that puffs out purified air and showerheads that sprout out Vitamin-C infused water. In contrast to his multi-million dollar home, DiCaprio scrimps when it comes to other expenses. He only has one car: a Toyota Prius. And he also prefers to fly commercial rather than owning his own jet.
8 Tom Cruise
At 53 years young, Tom Cruise still looks amazing and he’s still very marketable as far as making movies is concerned. He has been nominated for 3 Academy Awards, but has never won one, though having three Golden Globes Awards under his belt is certainly no mean feat. He caught the public’s attention in his lead role in the film Risky Business and gained certified box office status for the film Top Gun. Of course, we’ll always know him as Jerry Maguire, the sports agent who treaded the straight and narrow to find fulfillment in the end. And who can forget him as Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible film franchise? From all his ventures as an actor and a producer, it’s no surprise that Cruise is worth an estimated $470 million. With that amount, he can easily afford to buy his own private jet, but why stop at one when you can have three? Cruise is rumored to own three to five private planes, including one he gave to now ex-wife Katie Holmes.
7 George Clooney
He used to be one of the world’s most eligible bachelors, earning millions upon millions of dollars as a high-earning movie actor, director, and producer and because he was single, he didn’t have to split his wealth with a wife or kids. But all that changed when he met his wife Amal and fell head over heels. The man who previously swore off marriage after the failure of his first one was now eager to walk down the aisle once again with the love of his life this time around. Clooney amassed his wealth from the profits of his highly successful films such as the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, Syriana, Up In the Air, and The Descendants. He holds the distinction of being the only person to be nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories. With all those accomplishments is it even any wonder that he owns a $12-million private island in Britain, a villa in Lake Como, Italy, and a handful of luxury vehicles. But Clooney is not all about frivolity. He also spent money for a satellite over Sudan to monitor any possible war crimes, picked up a man’s $135 tab in a restaurant because he felt that his group was disturbing said man’s peace, and hosted a $6-million charity dinner for Obama, among other philanthropic endeavors he gets involved in.
6 Sarah Jessica Parker
It’s pretty ironic that someone who’s famous for her amazing fashion sense and is courted by the biggest designer labels to wear their latest designs is actually quite practical and frugal when it comes to her lifestyle. Sarah Jessica Parker has been in show business since the ‘70s, having started out in Broadway before venturing into film and TV. For her film roles, she has appeared in the films Footloose, Hocus Pocus, Ed Wood, and The First Wives Club. But it wasn’t until Parker appeared in the acclaimed HBO TV show Sex and the City that her career really took off. For her role as columnist Carrie Bradshaw, she won an Emmy Award and four Golden Globes. But for all her net worth of $90 million, Parker has kept her feet firmly planted on the ground. While many celebrity tots like Suri Cruise, Harper Beckham, and Blue Ivy Carter are always dressed in expensive designer labels by their famous parents, Parker’s three children wear hand-me-downs from their cousins. She doesn’t feel the need to buy them expensive clothing because she doesn’t want her kids growing up feeling entitled. Now that’s one good celebrity momma.
5 Kristen Bell
She may not be in the same category as Julia Roberts or Angelina Jolie when it comes to star power, but Kristen Bell is by no means a lightweight in the entertainment industry. The 35-year-old blonde has always had a wholesome personality, due in part to her youthful looks and girl-next-door smile. She first gained critical acclaim for her role as the titular character in the teen TV series Veronica Mars. She has also joined the cast of defunct TV shows Heroes and Gossip Girl, but what put her in the category of box office star was her role (or rather, her voice’s role) in Disney’s most successful animated film Frozen, wherein Bell played Anna and surprised the general audience with her ability to sing! She’s worth around $16 million, but she doesn’t let go and spend carelessly. She’s known for her frugal ways and has proudly rocked clothes bought at Target for less than $50 during red carpet appearances.
4 Zooey Deschanel
She may be one of TV’s most beloved actresses, but Zooey Deschanel has dabbled in film too, not to mention song writing. The bubbly raven-haired, doe-eyed beauty became known for her deadpan comedic style in films like The Good Girl, The New Guy, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. But it was her endearing portrayal of Summer Finn opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the independent film 500 Days of Summer that cemented her status as a blockbuster star. Since then, she has stuck to TV, endearing herself to audiences in her role as Jessica Day in the sitcom New Girl, which is still enjoying a successful run. She has experienced some ups and downs in her personal life and it was reported that during the divorce proceedings from her now ex-husband Ben Gibbard, Deschanel had to disclose her expenditures. She was discovered to be running a pretty tight ship, despite being a highly paid actress. She was said to spend $800 a month on utilities, $300 for cellphone and Internet services, and gives $1,500 to charity.
3 Jennifer Lawrence
There’s no arguing the fact that Jennifer Lawrence is today’s Hollywood “it” girl. The Louisville, Kentucky native’s acting skills have surpassed many who are more seasoned than she is and she has never even taken acting lessons. Her talent is au naturelle. She had her breakthrough role in the 2010 film Winter’s Bone and entered into blockbuster territory when she signed up for the highly successful Hunger Games and X-Men film franchises. She has famously appeared in a string of director David O. Russell’s films and their partnership has won Lawrence multiple awards, including an Oscar for Best Actress in the film Silver Linings Playbook and Golden Globes for her performances in the same movie she won an Oscar for, plus the films Joy and American Hustle. At the young age of 25, she’s already worth over $25 million, while other people her age are probably still living with mom and dad because they can’t afford their own place. But for all her wealth, Lawrence insists on living a very down-to-earth lifestyle to the point of being stingy. She even struggles in deciding if she should pay for valet services or not!
2 Johnny Depp
He’s been in the news a lot lately, no thanks to the legal dispute he’s been having with his soon-to-be ex-wife Amber Heard. The negative stuff being said about him comes as a surprise because Johnny Depp has always been known to be a good guy. He rose to fame in the 1980s when he made a name for himself as a teen heartthrob in the TV series 21 Jump Street. He wanted to step out of that image, so he decided to take on roles that would eventually establish himself as a character actor. He played unconventional characters in films such as Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise and his collaborations with director Tim Burton in the films Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Being the highest paid actor in the world enables Depp to live a lavish lifestyle. He owns an island in the Bahamas and several multi-million dollar homes, but his biggest expenses have to do with the women in his life. He allegedly paid his ex Vanessa Paradis $150 million when they split and who knows how much he’ll have to fork over if and when he and Heard come to a settlement?
1 Robert Downey, Jr.
Not very many people are given a second chance at life, but Robert Downey, Jr. clearly has luck on his side. He had a flourishing career in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, even garnering an Academy Award nomination for his titular role of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 film Chaplin. But it all went down the drain when his personal life too a turn for the worse, as he became addicted to drugs. He was arrested for possession of various substances and went through several unsuccessful stints of rehab until he finally pulled out of the funk he was in and climbed his way back into Hollywood success. The role that cemented him as one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors was Tony Stark for the Iron Man movie franchise. Currently having millions of dollars at his disposal, it’s reported that he has his own furniture shipped to whatever place he rents while shooting and arranges the furniture so that it looks like home. Imagine how much he spends on logistics and manpower just to get the interior of his house shipped from place to place.
Sources: madamenoire.com, msn.com, moviepilot.com,
