Overview

Samantha Mathis is an American actress and trade union leader. She was born on May 12, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Donald Mathis and Austrian-born actress Bibi Besch [1, 2, 6]. Her parents divorced when she was two, and she was raised by her mother [1]. Samantha began acting professionally at the age of 16 [6]. She made her film debut in *Pump Up the Volume* (1990) [4, 6]. Mathis is known for her roles in films such as *FernGully: The Last Rainforest* (1992), *Super Mario Bros.* (1993), *The Thing Called Love* (1993), *Little Women* (1994), *American Psycho* (2000), and *The Punisher* (2004) [1, 4, 5]. She has also appeared in numerous television series, including *Knightwatch*, *First Years*, *The Strain*, and *Billions* [1]. From 2015 to 2019, Mathis served as Vice President, Actors/Performers of the labor union SAG-AFTRA [1, 6].

SAG-AFTRA

Former Vice President

What Is Samantha Mathis’s Net Worth?

Samantha Mathis, an accomplished actress and former trade union leader, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $4 million [1]. This financial standing is primarily attributed to her extensive career in film and television, coupled with her involvement in the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) [1]. Her roles in notable films like “Pump Up the Volume,” “The Thing Called Love,” and “American Psycho,” along with recurring roles in television series such as “The Strain” and “Billions,” have significantly contributed to her financial success [1]. From 2015 to 2019, her role as Vice President, Actors/Performers of SAG-AFTRA, also provided a steady income [1].

Early Career and Film Roles Contributing to Samantha Mathis’s Net Worth

Born on May 12, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York City, Samantha Mathis began her acting journey early in life [1]. Her mother, Bibi Besch, an Austrian-born actress, undoubtedly influenced her career path [1]. Moving to Los Angeles at the age of five, Mathis was exposed to the entertainment industry from a young age [1]. Her early roles laid the foundation for her future financial success.

Mathis’s breakthrough role in the 1990 film “Pump Up the Volume,” where she starred alongside Christian Slater, marked a significant milestone in her career [1]. This role provided her with early recognition and established her as a prominent young actress. Following this, she appeared in Nora Ephron’s “This is My Life” in 1992, further solidifying her presence in the industry [1]. That same year, she lent her voice to the character Crysta in the animated film “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” [1]. These roles provided income and increased her visibility in the industry.

In 1993, Mathis starred in three films: “The Music of Chance,” “Super Mario Bros.,” and “The Thing Called Love” [1]. In “The Thing Called Love,” directed by Peter Bogdanovich, she played Miranda Presley, an aspiring singer in Nashville [1]. This role showcased her versatility as an actress and expanded her opportunities. Her role as Amy March in the 1994 adaptation of “Little Women” further broadened her appeal and increased her earning potential [1]. By the mid-1990s, Mathis appeared in “Jack & Sarah,” “How to Make an American Quilt,” and “The American President” [1]. These roles provided her with consistent income and contributed to her growing net worth.

During the latter half of the 1990s, Mathis continued to secure roles that enhanced her career and financial standing. She appeared in John Woo’s action thriller “Broken Arrow” and the independent drama “Sweet Jane,” where she played an HIV-positive prostitute opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt [1]. These roles showcased her range as an actress, attracting diverse audiences and further increasing her visibility.

At the start of the new millennium, Mathis expanded her filmography with roles in “The Simian Line” and “American Psycho” [1]. In 2004, she played Maria Castle in “The Punisher,” based on the Marvel Comics character [1]. These roles provided her with consistent income and exposure to different genres, contributing to her overall financial success. Her presence in diverse films broadened her appeal and provided opportunities for higher-paying roles.

In 2005, she appeared in the comedy “Kids in America,” followed by roles in “Believe in Me,” “Local Color,” and “The New Daughter” [1]. In 2010, Mathis voiced the offscreen wife of Ryan Reynolds’s character in “Buried” and appeared in “Lebanon, PA” [1]. She continued to secure roles in “Good Day for It,” “Camilla Dickinson,” and “Atlas Shrugged: Part II,” where she played Dagny Taggart [1]. These diverse roles continued to bolster her income and maintain her presence in the film industry.

In 2016, Mathis appeared in “American Pastoral,” another adaptation of a well-known literary work [1]. Her more recent film credits include “Ray Meets Helen,” “Being Frank,” “Boarding School,” and “The Georgetown Project” [1]. These roles, spanning various genres, provided her with continuous income and contributed to her long-term financial stability.

Television Career and SAG-AFTRA Involvement Boosting Samantha Mathis’s Net Worth

Samantha Mathis began her television career in 1988 with roles on “Aaron’s Way” and “Knightwatch” [1]. Although these shows were short-lived, they provided her with initial experience and income in the television industry. She also appeared in the television film “Cold Sassy Tree,” based on Olive Ann Burns’ novel, which further established her presence on the small screen [1].

At the start of the 1990s, Mathis was in three more television films: “Extreme Close-Up,” “83 Hours ‘Til Dawn,” and “To My Daughter” [1]. These roles provided her with consistent work and income, contributing to her growing net worth. She returned to television at the end of the decade with guest roles on “The Outer Limits” and “Harsh Realm” [1].

Throughout the 2000s, Mathis continued to appear in television films, including “Mermaid,” “Salem’s Lot,” “A Stranger’s Heart,” and “For One More Day” [1]. She also starred in the TNT miniseries “The Mists of Avalon” and the NBC legal drama “First Years” [1]. Additionally, she made guest appearances on series such as “Night Visions,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “House,” “Lost,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” [1]. These consistent television roles supplemented her film work and contributed to her overall financial stability.

In 2010, Mathis appeared in the television film “Unanswered Prayers” and in 2011, she was in an episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” [1]. In 2013, she played psychiatrist Alice Calvert in the first season of “Under the Dome,” an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel [1]. Her recurring role in “Under the Dome” provided her with substantial income and increased her visibility.

From 2015 to 2016, Mathis played Justine Feraldo in “The Strain,” a significant recurring role that enhanced her television presence [1]. This role not only provided income but also positioned her for future opportunities in the television industry. She returned to television in 2019 with the recurring role of Sara Hammon in “Billions,” adding to her financial portfolio [1]. Also in 2019, she appeared in episodes of “Into the Dark” and “Bull” [1]. Her continued involvement in popular television series contributed significantly to her earnings.

One of Mathis’s more recent television credits is the 2023 Lifetime film “12 Desperate Hours,” based on Ann Rule’s true crime collection [1]. Her continued work in television ensures a steady income stream.

Mathis’s involvement with SAG-AFTRA from 2015 to 2019 as Vice President, Actors/Performers, provided a stable income and enhanced her understanding of the entertainment industry [1]. This position allowed her to advocate for actors’ rights and provided her with additional financial security.

Stage Career and Personal Life of Samantha Mathis

Beyond her screen work, Samantha Mathis has also acted on stage, contributing to her diverse career portfolio. In 1992, she appeared in the play “Fortinbras” in New York [1]. Later, in the 2000s, she played the daughter of Jane Fonda’s character in the Broadway show “33 Variations” [1]. She has also acted in productions such as “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” and “Make Believe” [1]. While specific financial details from her stage career are not publicly available, these roles contribute to her overall income and artistic profile.

In the 1990s, Mathis dated actors Christian Slater, John Leguizamo, and River Phoenix [1]. She was with Phoenix when he died in 1993 [1]. These personal relationships, while not directly contributing to her net worth, reflect her connections within the entertainment industry.

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