Dean Norris Net Worth

Dean Norris, best known for his acclaimed portrayal of DEA agent Hank Schrader on AMC’s hit series Breaking Bad, has amassed over 100 acting credits in a career spanning four decades. 

With his gripping performance on the groundbreaking show earning him newfound fame, Norris has accumulated a respectable net worth over the years. 

Though forever tied to the character that made him a household name, he has shown versatility through appearances in dozens of films. He conducts Total Recall, Lethal Weapon 2, Under the Dome, and Claws. 

This article explores how he built his wealth through work on Breaking Bad and a consistent stream of roles, examining his assets and other income sources beyond acting. 

Dean Norris’ net worth and career

Norris has built an impressive acting resume over his 40+ year career, appearing in over 100 film and television projects.

Though he had been working steadily since the early 1980s, his acclaimed performance as Hank Schrader on AMC’s hit series Breaking Bad truly put him on the map.

His compelling portrayal on five seasons of the groundbreaking show cemented his status as a household name. With such a lengthy and consistent acting career, he has amassed a respectable net worth of around $5 million. 

Breaking Bad undoubtedly provided a boost to his wealth and earnings. Given his appearance in over 50 episodes of the acclaimed series, he likely earned a sizable salary, contributing significantly to his current net worth. 

Dean Norris and Aaron Paul at AMC Emmy After Party (Source: Facebook)

Before his Breaking Bad fame, he was known for roles in films like Lethal Weapon 2, Total Recall, Starship Troopers, and Catch Me If You Can. He had multi-episode arcs on television on shows like NYPD Blue, Lost, Medium, and 24 over the years. 

Though he never reached stardom earlier in his career, he worked steadily enough to accumulate modest wealth as a character actor.

Post-Breaking Bad, he continues to take on exciting roles to showcase his versatility. He has appeared on shows like CBS’ Under the Dome plus had a leading role on TNT’s Claws in recent years. 

While Hank will forever be his most iconic part, Norris has proven himself more than a one-hit wonder. Dean Norris’s wealth and star power show no signs of deceleration as he continues working extensively in both film and television.

Dean Norris’ role in ‘Breaking Bad’

When Norris landed the role of Hank Schrader on AMC’s hit series Breaking Bad in 2008, it marked a pivotal moment in his decades-long acting career. He was cast as the gruff but dedicated DEA agent brother-in-law to Bryan Cranston’s protagonist, Walter White.

He brought gravitas and conviction to the fan-favorite character. Over the show’s 5 season run, he serves as the primary antagonist in Walter White’s unlawful enterprise. 

There he is, obsessively working to take down the mysterious meth kingpin Heisenberg, unaware for over a year that it was Walter. Appearing in over 50 episodes, his performance was met with widespread critical acclaim. 

Dean Norris as Hank Schrader on ‘Breaking Bad’ (Source: People)

Though initially portrayed as a vulgar meathead, Hank emerges as a tenacious, thoughtful detective willing to sacrifice everything to take down the drug lords of Albuquerque. 

Despite suffering severe anxiety and PTSD from multiple near-death experiences, Hank remains devoted to battling the spread of meth, eventually leading to his climactic showdown with Walt.

He was lauded for his ability to make Hank gruff yet sympathetic and won a Screen Actors Guild award alongside the rest of the cast. 

While Hank’s death in the final season left many fans heartbroken, it cemented Norris and the character he embodied as integral to the legacy of Breaking Bad. 

At the height of its popularity, his incredible run brought him the most visibility and acclaim of his prolific career. 

Dean Norris launched his beer brand

Capitalizing on his popularity as Hank on Breaking Bad, Norris brought the character’s mythical homebrew to life by releasing Schraderbräu beer in 2019. Schrader’s fake beer brand was a beloved in-joke among Breaking Bad fans. 

He decided to manifest this fictional brew as an authentic German-style lager in partnership with California’s Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Launching Schraderbräu allowed him to extend Hank’s legacy beyond Breaking Bad ingeniously. 

Bottles and drafts were initially available in California and New Mexico, pandering directly to core fans of the hit AMC show. For devotees of the series, getting to sample his signature brew made his character even more real. 

Dean Norris has launched his own beer brand (Source: Food & Wine)

Norris promoted the launch by joking about how Schraderbräu would never inexplicably explode in customers’ garages like in the show.

While Schraderbräu started as a passion project celebrating his fan-favorite Breaking Bad role, Norris aspires to grow it into a mainstream craft beer brand. And the novelty of drinking Hank’s beer has undoubtedly caught the media’s attention. 

The 2019 launch timed perfectly with the release of the Breaking Bad sequel film El Camino, driving hype for the show’s expanded universe.

Thanks to his efforts, Schraderbräu continues Hank’s legacy while introducing the gruff but lovable character to more fans.

Dean Norris’ other business ventures

In 2018, Norris and his wife, Bridget Norris, opened the Norris Performing Arts Center (N-PAC) in Murrieta, California, to provide high-quality dance, theater, music, and acting education. 

Bridget’s background as an entertainment lawyer likely helped establish this youth creative arts program. N-PAC has gone on to win national awards and brings together award-winning instructors to foster talent in the community.

The couple has also ventured into the restaurant industry. In 2022, they purchased The Swing Inn Cafe in Old Town Temecula for $6 million. The long-standing cafe was built in 1927 and is known for its friendly servers, huevos rancheros, and signature bloody marys.

Dean Norris with his wife Bridget Norris (Source: Twitter)

Norris’ Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston visited the restaurant to celebrate the acquisition, delighting fans. Reviews mention the place’s wholesome family vibe – a perfect fit for the Norrises.

Between the performing arts center and the restaurant, Norris has shown entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for community-building alongside his prolific acting career. 

His Temecula-based businesses let him give back while building deeper roots as a long-time resident. Though not as glamorous as showbiz, his hands-on involvement in these ventures provides fulfillment and fun new challenges when he’s off-screen.