Jim Caviezel Net Worth

Jim Caviezel is an acclaimed American actor best known for his gripping portrayal of Jesus Christ in the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. He is also recognized for his lead role in the CBS crime drama Person of Interest from 2011 to 2016. 

With a career spanning over 25 years in film and television, he has established himself as a versatile and talented actor. He has amassed an impressive net worth as one of Hollywood’s top stars. 

In this article, we look closely at his acting journey, current finances, and the controversies surrounding his reputation as a conservative figure in liberal Hollywood.

Jim Caviezel’s net worth and salary over the years

Caviezel’s breakout role came when he delivered a raw and riveting portrayal of Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s 2004 epic film The Passion of the Christ. The movie was a global phenomenon, grossing an astonishing $622.3 million worldwide. 

While the controversial film sparked intense debate, it undeniably catapulted Caviezel to fame. It became the most significant contributor to his fortune. 

Although details of his exact earnings from the movie are undisclosed, there is no doubt he pocketed millions from this hugely successful box office smash hit and the residuals that followed.

After the career-defining performance, he continued earning steady acting roles in movies and TV shows throughout the 2000s, gradually growing his wealth. 

Jim Caviezel and James Faulkner in ‘Paul, Apostle of Christ’ (Source: IMDb)

Then, in 2011, he landed the lead role of John Reese in the CBS crime drama Person of Interest. As one of the show’s main stars, he earned a handsome per-episode salary of an estimated $125,000 by the end of the show’s run. 

Over five seasons from 2011-2016, he starred in 103 episodes, racking up approximate total salary earnings of $12.9 million. This remains Caviezel’s highest per-project career earnings to date. 

Overall, with other smaller acting gigs supplementing his income along with wise investments, he has accumulated a personal net worth reportedly as high as $25 million at points over the years. 

However, given his selective and relatively sparse roles focused mainly on faith-based films in recent years, his current net worth is estimated to be closer to a still healthy $15 million mark. 

Jim Caviezel’s career in detail

Caviezel’s introduction to acting began in his hometown of Seattle when he got involved with a local theater company and took to the stage in various productions. This early experience sparked his interest in pursuing acting more seriously.

He got his first on-screen role in the 1991 indie film My Own Private Idaho. This kicked off minor roles in movies and TV shows over the next few years. 

His big break came in 1994 when he landed a supporting part in the Western epic Wyatt Earp starring Kevin Costner. Though a minor role, it allowed him to demonstrate his talent on a large-scale production. 

Over the next several years, Caviezel’s resume grew steadily with roles in high-profile films like The Rock, G.I. Jane, and The Thin Red Line. His compelling performance in the latter even earned him critical praise and award recognition.

Jim Caviezel in ‘The Thin Red Line’ (Source: IMDb)

However, his life’s most iconic and career-defining role came in 2004 when Mel Gibson hand-picked him to play Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a global box-office smash that made him instantly recognizable. 

After gaining Hollywood acclaim, he continued taking on challenging roles in films such as Déjà Vu, Outlander, and Transit while appearing in TV projects. His next major staple appearance was on CBS’s crime drama Person of Interest from 2011-2016. 

In recent years, Caviezel has focused more on faith-based projects, including Paul, Apostle of Christ, and Sound of Freedom. He also stays committed to returning for the upcoming sequel to The Passion of the Christ.

Across three decades in showbiz filled with many highs and lows, Caviezel has shown exceptional dedication to his craft, which still promises more iconic roles ahead.

Impact of ‘The Passion of the Christ’ on Jim Caviezel’s career

The Passion of the Christ marked a pivotal moment in Caviezel’s career. The controversial 2004 film proved a major global success, making him instantly recognizable worldwide. 

However, his connections to the role and the film’s polarizing reception soon negatively impacted his mainstream career prospects.

After its release, Caviezel gave many fiery public speeches about his staunch pro-life convictions and devout Catholic faith. 

His intense identification with playing Jesus made many future directors and producers wary of working with him on new projects. 

While he took on some minor film roles and a lead in the TV series Person of Interest over the next decade, the prominent starring roles in high-profile Hollywood movies dried up. 

By openly embracing his religious beliefs, which matched the growing conservative outlook of Christianity in America, he quickly found himself out of favor with the predominantly liberal Hollywood establishment. 

Fairly or unfairly, the perception grew that he was challenging to work with and that his polarizing public image could now alienate specific audiences. 

Whether directly due to his role as Jesus Christ or simply his unwillingness to compromise on his principles, he undoubtedly struggled to regain his standing in mainstream Hollywood after 2004. 

However, as proven by the upcoming sequel to The Passion of the Christ, he remains comfortable in roles that align with his faith, continuing to work on religious-themed films as a second, more selective phase of his career. 

Jim Caviezel’s other controversial hit ‘Sound of Freedom’

Caviezel has once again found himself at the center of controversy with the release of his latest film, Sound of Freedom. 

The low-budget action thriller has raked in an impressive $180 million at the domestic box office, making it one of the highest-grossing indie films in years. 

However, like Caviezel’s career-defining role in The Passion of the Christ, this new faith-based film has sharply divided audiences and spotlighted the actor’s polarizing public persona.

Sound of Freedom tells the real-life story of Tim Ballard, an anti-child trafficking activist and founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). He and the on-screen version played by Caviezel have openly supported the QAnon conspiracy theory movement. 

This has fueled criticism that the film promotes misleading ideas and right-wing propaganda.

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Caviezel himself has given speeches backing the debunked and anti-semitic claims that top Democrats are involved in child sex trafficking and harvesting adrenochrome.

While the film’s producers have denied Sound of Freedom contains political messaging, mainstream conservatives and far-right elements alike have embraced it. 

Former President Donald Trump hosted a special screening, and numerous Republican figures have endorsed the movie. 

However, simultaneous controversies surrounding allegations of embellishment and improper conduct by the real Ballard have raised even more questions.

The swarm of scandals notwithstanding, Sound of Freedom has undoubtedly furthered Caviezel’s rift with liberal Hollywood.