It doesn't matter if you are a fan or not; almost everyone has seen something to do with The Lord of the Rings, even if it's just a Gollum meme. The Lord of the Rings franchise was and is still huge. All three of the movies were directed by Peter Jackson and based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) are now owned by Amazon. They fought a good fight to win the rights, too.
Out of the three, Return of the King was by far the most popular. Similar to how Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows is the most popular of that franchise. The endings bring dedicated fans to an emotional conclusion and tie up all the storylines. It brought in $1.1 billion at the box office, too. Not to say the other two movies weren't good; they are what led to the third being so phenomenal. Of course, a great trilogy needs a great cast, or even something as well written as The Lord of the Rings would fall apart. Below, we are taking a closer look at some of the cast, most of whom were just getting started acting and still are today, and ranking them by net worth.
12 Cate Blanchett As Galadriel In Lord Of The Rings ($95 Million Net Worth)
Cate Blanchett played Galadriel, the ethereal elven Lady of Lothlórien in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Cate Blanchett is a renowned actress known for many incredible performances, like her Oscar-winning role as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator and her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth.
Her talent is undeniable and has earned her a spot as one of the top leading ladies in Hollywood as well as a substantial net worth of $95 million. Blanchett's role as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings brought grace to a seemingly complex character.
11 Billy Crystal Voiced The Wizard Of The Haradrim In Lord Of The Rings ($60 Million Net Worth)
Billy Crystal provided some brief comedy in The Lord of the Rings, lending his voice to the Wizard of the Haradrim in the extended edition of The Two Towers. Billy Crystal is an icon in Hollywood, known for so much more, like his role in the classic film When Harry Met Sally.
With a net worth of $60 million, Billy Crystal has made a significant impact on both the comedy and film industries. He has an amazing ability to bring humor to any role, even a fantasy epic like The Lord of the Rings. His voice is unique enough that audiences know it without seeing him, bringing excitement to the film as he is such a well-known fan favorite.
10 Ian McKellen As Gandalf The Grey In Lord Of The Rings ($60 Million Net Worth)
Sir Ian McKellen portrayed Gandalf, a wise wizard who guides and aids Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring on their treacherous journey to destroy the One Ring. McKellen's performance as Gandalf was nothing short of iconic. He captured the very essence of the character to a tee.
His commanding presence could be felt right through the big screen. His performance brought a sense of authority and wisdom to the role, making Gandalf a beloved and memorable character in the hearts of fans all over the world.
McKellen is often mistaken for Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise. While he was asked to take on the part after the death of Richard Harris in 2002, he turned it down. Harris had once told him in not so many words that he lacked passion in his acting, and Ian McKellen could not take over his role knowing that. McKellen certainly doesn't lack passion in LOTR. In fact, the success of the trilogy is in part due to his epic performance.
9 Liv Tyler As Arwen Undómiel In Lord Of The Rings ($50 Million Net Worth)
Liv Tyler, daughter of Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, portrayed Arwen, an elven princess who shares a deep love for Aragorn. Liv Tyler is stunningly beautiful, which only adds to her role in this movie. Known for similar roles as quiet-like girls in films like Armageddon and Stealing Beauty, Tyler brought a delicate touch to the character of Arwen. Her portrayal of the elven princess was enchanting, heartfelt, and loved by millions.
8 Viggo Mortensen As Aragorn In Lord Of The Rings ($40 Million Net Worth)
Viggo Mortensen played Aragorn (also known as Strider), a skilled ranger and the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. His character becomes a key leader in the fight against Sauron. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Viggo Mortensen has a net worth of $40 million.
He is a talented actor who has also been seen in movies like Eastern Promises and A History of Violence. However, Mortensen's portrayal of Aragorn has been one of his most highly praised roles. He adds incredible depth and intensity to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
7 Orlando Bloom As Legolas In Lord Of The Rings ($40 Million Net Worth)
Orlando Bloom played Legolas, an elf known for his exceptional archery skills and agility. Bloom's role in the first LOTR was actually his big break on the big screen. Who would have thought playing an elf would lead to the success he has had since?
Another notable point is his paycheck for the films. In an interview with Howard Stern in 2019, Orlando Bloom said he made just $175,000 and would do it again in a heartbeat. Bloom looks at it as a gift; he tried out for many different parts and would have taken anything for half of what he made.
6 Christopher Lee As Saruman The White In Lord Of The Rings ($25 Million Net Worth)
The late Christopher Lee portrayed Saruman, a powerful wizard whose lust for power corrupts him. Christopher Lee passed away at the age of 93 in 2015. He left us with a great deal of wonderful performances beyond the Lord of the Rings, such as his iconic role as Count Dracula in the Hammer Horror films. He also was in the original 1973 version of The Wicker Man, a movie in which, according to Showbiz Cheatsheet, he made no money but viewed as his best performance.
As Saruman the White in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, his commanding presence and deep voice brought his character to life. Saruman was known as a complex and morally ambiguous wizard, and Lee obviously poured his heart and soul into every scene.
5 Hugo Weaving As Elrond In Lord Of The Rings ($25 Million Net Worth)
Hugo Weaving played Elrond, the wise elven lord who presides over the Council of Elrond. His character's role was to provide guidance and wisdom to the Fellowship of the Ring. Weaving's portrayal of Elrond perfectly captured the character's noble demeanor and inner conflict. His performance was most certainly part of the trilogy's success.
4 Elijah Wood As Frodo Baggins In Lord Of The Rings ($20 Million Net Worth)
Elijah Wood played the central character, Frodo Baggins, a hobbit entrusted with the task of destroying the One Ring to prevent it from falling into the hands of the dark lord Sauron. Wood's portrayal of Frodo was nothing short of extraordinary. He flawlessly captured the heart of the character's innocence, courage, and burdened soul.
Wood made Frodo a relatable character that fans cheered for. Audiences witnessed his transformation from a simple hobbit to a hero grappling with the weight of the world. Elijah Wood's dedication to the role was evident in every scene and will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of LOTR fans worldwide.
3 Sean Bean As Boromir In Lord Of The Rings ($20 Million Net Worth)
Sean Bean played Boromir, a noble warrior from Gondor who initially struggles with the temptation of the One Ring. As time goes on, he learns the true meaning of sacrifice, ultimately giving his life to protect Frodo and his mission. Sean Bean was also in the cult classic Game of Thrones showing his love and acting ability for fantasy go far beyond the One Ring.
2 Karl Urban As Éomer In Lord Of The Rings ($20 Million Net Worth)
Karl Urban played Éomer, a loyal warrior of Rohan and Éowyn's brother. His character's role was to aid in the defense of Rohan against the forces of Sauron and eventually become a key ally to Aragorn and the Fellowship.
Karl Urban can most recently be seen in Amazon's The Boyz, where he does an incredible job playing the character of Billy Butcher, a ruthless vigilante leader. Karl Urban is known for being a fantasy actor. From the epic fantasy world of Middle-earth to the gritty and dark superhero universe of The Boyz, as well as Star Trek, Doom, and Thor: Ragnarök.
1 Andy Serkis As Gollum In Lord Of The Rings ($18 Million Net Worth)
While not seen in his human form, Andy Serkis provided the motion-capture performance and voice for Gollum, a creature consumed by his obsession with the One Ring. Gollum has become an iconic character in the fantasy genre, captivating audiences with his unique appearance and memorable catchphrases like "my precious."
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