Net Worth Ranker
What Is Sam Robards Net Worth?
Sam Robards, a versatile American actor recognized for his work on both screen and stage, has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. This financial standing reflects his decades-long career, marked by appearances in notable films and television series, as well as his contributions to theater productions. Robards’s income is derived primarily from his acting roles, encompassing salaries from film and television projects, as well as earnings from stage performances.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on December 16, 1961, in New York City, Sam Robards is the son of celebrated actors Jason Robards and Lauren Bacall. His upbringing within a prominent acting family undoubtedly influenced his career path. After his parents’ divorce in 1969, Robards spent time living with his mother in both New York and Europe. He attended the American School in London, further broadening his experiences, before returning to New York and enrolling at Collegiate School. Subsequently, Robards attended Sarah Lawrence College, although his tenure was cut short after his first year due to academic and behavioral issues.
Robards embarked on his acting career with a stage appearance in the 1980 off-Broadway production of “Album”. This marked the beginning of his journey in the entertainment industry. His early life experiences and education, despite the brief stint at Sarah Lawrence, provided a foundation for his subsequent success in film, television, and theater.
Film Career Highlights
Sam Robards’s film career commenced with a supporting role in Paul Mazursky’s “Tempest,” released in 1982. This initial foray into the world of cinema laid the groundwork for a series of subsequent roles. In 1985, Robards took on starring roles in “Fandango” and “Not Quite Paradise,” further establishing his presence on the big screen. During the latter part of the 1980s, he appeared alongside his father in “Bright Lights, Big City,” and also secured roles in Clint Eastwood’s “Bird” and Brian De Palma’s “Casualties of War”. His role in “Bright Lights, Big City” allowed for a comparison of his acting skills against his father, adding complexity to his early career.
The 1990s saw Robards diversify his film roles, starting with the 1993 Western “The Ballad of Little Jo”. He followed this with appearances in Alan Rudolph’s “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle” and Robert Altman’s “Prêt-à-Porter” in 1994. In 1996, he appeared in the romantic dramedy “Beautiful Girls.” Towards the end of the decade, Robards played a small part in Sam Mendes’s “American Beauty,” which went on to win the Best Picture Oscar. His role, though small, placed him within a critically acclaimed film that significantly boosted his profile.
In the early 2000s, Robards expanded his portfolio with roles in Steven Spielberg’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and Irwin Winkler’s “Life as a House”. In 2004, he starred in three films: “Catch That Kid,” “Surviving Eden,” and “Marmalade”. He then appeared in the conspiracy thriller “Awake” in 2007. The year 2008 saw Robards in the fantasy film “The Other Side of the Tracks” and as journalist Tad Szulc in “Che.” His credits towards the end of the 2000s included “Perestroika,” “The Rebound,” and “Company Retreat.” In 2011, he appeared in the romantic dramedy “The Art of Getting By,” followed by roles in “Grand Street,” “The Late Bloomer,” and “Broken Links.” His more recent film credits include “Where is Kyra?” (2017), “Isle of Hope,” and “Space Cadet,” the former released in the 2020s.
Each film role contributed incrementally to his overall earnings. The salaries he commanded would have varied depending on his role size, the budget of the film, and his level of recognition at the time. Larger roles in mainstream films like “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” would likely have generated higher income compared to smaller, independent film appearances.
Television Career Journey
Sam Robards’s television career began in 1983 with the TV movie “Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number.” He followed this with an appearance in an episode of “Spenser: For Hire” and roles in the television films “Into Thin Air” and “Pancho Barnes.” Robards secured his first main series role in 1988 as Kevin Keegan, a high school journalism teacher, on the CBS show “TV 101.” Despite its promise, the series was short-lived, being canceled during its first season. From 1990 to 1991, Robards starred opposite Chris Elliott on the Fox sitcom “Get a Life.” His career was marked by variety, transitioning from drama to comedy early in his career.
Following “Get a Life,” he had guest roles on “Law & Order” and “The Outer Limits,” and he appeared in the television films “Donor Unknown,” “The Man Who Captured Eichmann,” and “The Trial of Adolf Eichmann.” He starred on the short-lived ABC series “Maximum Bob” at the end of the decade and had a recurring role on “Spin City.” He also appeared in the television film “Black and Blue,” based on the novel by Anna Quindlen. In the 2000s, Robards guest-starred on “Sex and the City” and appeared in television films such as “The Warden,” “On Golden Pond,” and “My Life with Men.” Robards played recurring roles on “Clubhouse” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” in 2004. He also began playing Greg Brock on “The West Wing,” a role he continued until 2005.
In 2006, Robards appeared in an episode of “CSI: Miami.” From 2007 to 2012, he played Howie Archibald on “Gossip Girl.” During this time, he also appeared in episodes of “Body of Proof,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Good Wife.” From 2012 to 2013, Robards played Tim Feeny in the final two seasons of HBO’s “Treme,” and from 2013 to 2014, he played Kyle Masterson on the ABC Family show “Twisted.” His more recent television credits include episodes of “Madam Secretary” and “Y: The Last Man.” His recurring roles, such as Howie Archibald in “Gossip Girl” and Tim Feeny in “Treme”, likely provided stable income streams over multiple seasons.
The financial impact of his television career comes from a mix of per-episode fees for guest appearances and potentially more substantial contracts for recurring roles or main cast positions. His work on successful shows like “Gossip Girl” and “The West Wing” would contribute significantly to his annual earnings during those periods. Though precise details on his per-episode or seasonal pay are unavailable, it is common for established actors to negotiate favorable terms, which directly contribute to their growing net worth.
Stage Career and Accolades
In 2002, Robards starred in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s “The Man Who Had All the Luck.” His performance was widely acclaimed, earning him Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations for Best Featured Actor in a Play. While he did not win the Tony Award, the nominations increased his profile and value as a performer. In 2008, Robards took over the lead role in the Broadway run of “The 39 Steps.”
The financial rewards from stage performances can vary significantly based on the role, the success of the production, and the theater’s pay scale. Broadway roles typically provide a weekly salary, which can be substantial for lead or featured actors in successful productions. Although the precise income from his Broadway roles is not publicly available, his participation in these high-profile productions would have positively impacted his earnings.
Personal Life and Background
In 1986, Sam Robards married actress and model Suzy Amis, his co-star from the film “Fandango.” They had a son named Jasper before divorcing in 1994. Robards went on to marry Danish model Sidsel Jensen in 1997; they have two sons named Calvin and Sebastian.
While the details of his divorce settlements are private, divorce can sometimes impact net worth, especially if there are significant asset divisions or spousal support obligations. However, the specifics of how his divorces may have affected his net worth are not publicly available.
Analyzing Sam Robards’s Net Worth
Sam Robards’s $4 million net worth is primarily a result of his consistent work across film, television, and theater. While he may not have had leading roles in blockbuster films that command multimillion-dollar salaries, his steady stream of acting jobs over several decades has allowed him to accumulate substantial wealth. The variety in his roles and his ability to transition between different mediums (film, television, and stage) demonstrate versatility, contributing to long-term career stability.
His net worth, while substantial, positions him within a certain bracket of working actors. It’s a testament to his longevity and adaptability in a highly competitive industry. Sam Robards’s net worth is a reflection of his hard work, consistent acting engagements, and strategic choices throughout his career.
