Simon Baker Net Worth

Simon Baker is a renowned Australian actor known for his lead roles in shows like The Mentalist and The Guardian. Born on July 30, 1969, he has also starred in several Hollywood films over his decades-long acting career. 

Today, at age 54, Baker continues to take on select acting projects in both TV and film while also exploring opportunities behind the camera as a director. 

With such an extensive and acclaimed career under his belt, many fans are curious about his current net worth and how much the actor has earned over the years. In this article, we elaborate on Baker’s acting resume and career highlights and analyze the figures around his net worth. 

Simon Baker’s net worth salary and real estate

Baker has accumulated an impressive net worth of $40 million over his 30+ year acting career. He first rose to fame in Australia before becoming part of the Aussie talent wave that took Hollywood by storm in the 1990s and 2000s. 

Some of his most lucrative acting roles have been on American TV shows like The Mentalist and The Guardian. For example, in 2010, Baker was earning $350,000 per episode of The Mentalist. 

Shortly after, he signed a contract that paid him a total of $30 million for his ongoing role on the hit drama series. In addition to his TV work, he has starred in several high-grossing Hollywood films like The Devil Wears Prada, which earned nearly $330 million globally. 

Simon Baker in ‘The Mentalist’ (Source: Koimoi)

Appearances in commercials for brands like Samsung, Longines watches, and Givenchy cologne have also contributed to his multimillionaire status. 

Similarly, in real estate, Baker owns luxury homes in Australia, Santa Monica, and other exclusive neighborhoods. In 2015, he paid $6.5 million for a lavish property in Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach area. He also owns a $1.5 million residence in Nashua, Australia. 

In Santa Monica, he purchased a 4,755-square-foot property in 2007 for $4.65 million. After selling off an unneeded Sydney penthouse in 2016 for $3.5 million, the actor likely pocketed a tidy profit.

So, Baker has done exceptionally well for himself financially. His assets and ability to command seven-figure paychecks for film/TV roles put his current net worth estimate at $40 million.

Simon Baker’s career in the entertainment industry

Baker’s acting career began with a commercial role he landed while waiting with a friend at an audition in his native Australia. Soon after, he picked up roles on popular Australian TV shows like E Street, Home and Away, and Heartbreak High through the early to mid-1990s. 

He then relocated to the United States in the mid-1990s to further his career. His breakout role came playing Matt Reynolds in the 1997 hit film L.A. Confidential. 

This kicked off a steady stream of film roles in the late 90s and early 2000s, including parts in The Ring Two, Land of the Dead, and most notably, The Devil Wears Prada. 

Simon Baker played the role of Christian Thompson in ‘Devil Wears Prada’ (Source: Brian Ferrari’s Blog)

On television, Baker landed leading roles on series like The Guardian (2001-2004) and a career-defining part on The Mentalist from 2008 to 2015. As the title character, Baker carried the popular crime drama for seven seasons.

More recently, he expanded into directing, making his debut with the 2017 film Breath, which he also co-wrote, produced, and starred in. He’s also continued acting with roles in projects like the 2022 horror series Roar and an episode of Who Do You Think You Are in 2022.

Simon Baker is decorated with various accolades

Early in his career, back in 1993, Baker won Australia’s Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent for his role on the TV series E Street. This marked some of the first major recognition of his talents as a rising actor.

His acclaimed lead performance in the 2001-2004 drama series The Guardian earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in 2002. While he didn’t win the Globe, he did take home the Family Television Award for Best Actor that same year.

Moving ahead to his most critically praised role as Patrick Jane on The Mentalist, this part secured Baker nominations at both the Golden Globes and Primetime Emmys in 2009. He also shared a People’s Choice Award with the cast for Favorite New TV Drama that year. 

In 2012, a particularly special honor came when Baker was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – the voting body for the Academy Awards. 

The following year, Baker received one of Hollywood’s top honors – a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. His star can be found at 6352 Hollywood Blvd, cementing his legacy in entertainment history.

Most recently, Baker won an Australian Academy Award (AACTA) for Best Supporting Actor for his directing/acting work on the 2017 film Breath. 

He was also nominated across several categories, like Best Direction. He Adapted Screenplay for his significant creative efforts behind the scenes.

In summary, Baker has been recognized through top industry awards throughout his career, and critical praise and nominations validate him as both a talented actor and a creative force behind the camera as well.

Simon Baker’s project lineup for 2024

Baker has two major television projects slated for release in 2024. The first is an Australian coming-of-age drama series called Boy Swallows Universe, which debuted on Netflix on January 11, 2024.

Baker plays the role of Robert Bell, the father of the young protagonist Eli Bell. It’s a limited 6-episode series based on the novel of the same name by author Trent Dalton. 

The second project is another Australian TV drama called The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which will be released on Prime Video. Baker plays the supporting role of Keith in this 5-part miniseries adapted from the award-winning novel by Richard Flanagan. 

It tells an epic story across multiple timelines centered around war hero Dorrigo Evans. Baker acts alongside stars like Ciarán Hinds and Jacob Elordi in the WWII saga. Filming commenced in late 2023, likely targeting a 2024 streaming premiere on Prime Video. 

So 2024 will see Baker appearing in two highly-anticipated Australian drama series. With these back-to-back projects focused on his native country, Baker looks to be making Australia a central priority in his acting work this year.