Robert Englund is an American actor whose name resonates deeply within the horror genre, thanks to his iconic portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. With a career spanning almost five decades, Englund has become synonymous with terror and has garnered a dedicated fan base worldwide. As his followers marvel at his ability to bring nightmares to life, curiosity arises about how much money he has reaped from his illustrious career. In this article, we delve into the depths of Englund’s net worth while highlighting the milestones in his career that contributed to his wealth.
Robert Englund’s net worth and salary
According to several websites, Robert Englund has an estimated net worth of USD 16 million as of June 2023. Englund’s salary, meanwhile, varies depending on the role he is playing and the project he is working on.
For instance, for his role as Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street films, he was reportedly paid $1 million per movie, and for his role in the horror anthology TV series Freddy’s Nightmares, he was reportedly paid $50,000 per episode.
Englund’s net worth is expected to continue to grow in the years to come, as he remains very popular among horror fans.
How does Robert Englund make money?
Robert Englund has several revenue streams that generate income for him. These include:
Acting
It is believed that the biggest portion of Englund’s income comes from his acting projects. These include live-action roles in movies and TV series as well as voice roles in video games and other animated content.
Directing
Englund also makes money from directing. His directorial debut was the 1988 horror film 976-EVIL, co-written by future Oscar winner Brian Helgeland and starring Stephen Geoffreys. His second feature, Killer Pad, was released direct-to-DVD in 2008.
Englund has also directed two episodes of the television series Freddy’s Nightmares. These episodes are titled Cabin Fever and Monkey Dreams, and both aired in 1989.
Englund’s directing style has been praised for its dark humor and its ability to create a sense of suspense and dread. He has said that he enjoys directing horror films because they allow him to explore his own fears and anxieties.
Producing
Although Englund’s producing credits are limited, he has also made some bucks from them. He served as an executive producer on 2021’s Nightmares in the Makeup Chair, a documentary about the making of the Nightmare on Elm Street films. He also appeared in the documentary, sharing his memories of making the films and his insights into the character of Freddy Krueger.
Englund also served as a producer on Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy, a 2010 documentary that tells the complete story of the Nightmare on Elm Street film franchise. The documentary features interviews with cast and crew members, as well as Englund himself.
Guest appearances
As a horror icon, Englund frequently appears at pop culture conventions where he interacts with fans. He charges a fee for these appearances.
Merchandise
Englund has a line of merchandise that includes action figures, t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, posters, and signed memorabilia. These are available for purchase on his official website, www.robertenglund.com. Englund receives a percentage of the sales of these items.
Book deals
Englund has written and published two books. His first book, Hollywood Monster: A Walk Down Elm Street with the Man of Your Dreams was published in 2019. His second book, Nightmares: A Life in Film, Horror, and Geek Culture, was published in 2022. He receives a royalty for each book that is sold.
Hollywood Monster is an autobiography that chronicles Englund’s life and career, from his early days as a child actor to his rise to fame as Freddy Krueger. The book is full of behind-the-scenes stories from the Nightmare on Elm Street films, as well as Englund’s thoughts on the horror genre and the entertainment industry.
Nightmares, meanwhile, is a more general memoir that covers Englund’s life and career, but with a focus on his love of horror movies and his experiences as a fan of the genre. The book includes stories about Englund’s favorite horror movies, his encounters with other horror icons, and his thoughts on the future of horror movies.
Both books are well-received by critics and fans alike. They offer a unique perspective on the horror genre and the entertainment industry, and they provide a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the most iconic horror actors of all time.
Robert Englund’s early life
Before he became the stuff of nightmares, Robert Englund, whose complete name is Robert Barton Englund, had a humble beginning that laid the foundation for his illustrious career. Continue reading to learn about Englund’s upbringing, educational background, and the pivotal moments that ignited his passion for acting.
Robert Englund’s birthday
Robert Englund was born on June 6, 1947, in Glendale, California. This makes him 76 years old as of June 2023.
Robert Englund’s parents
Englund’s parents are John Kent Englund and Janis Englund (née MacDonald). John Kent was an aeronautics engineer who helped develop the Lockheed U-2 airplane, while Janis was a homemaker. The actor is their only child.
Englund has said that his parents were supportive of his acting career, even though they didn’t understand it at first. He has also said that his father’s work as an engineer helped him to develop the attention to detail that is essential for acting. He has said that they are his biggest fans, and he is grateful for their love and support.
Robert Englund’s education
Englund started studying acting at the age of 12, accompanying a friend to a children’s theater program at California State University, Northridge. While in high school, he attended Cranbrook Theatre School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He then attended UCLA for three years, before dropping out and transferring to Michigan’s Oakland University, where he trained at the Meadow Brook Theater, which was a branch of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the time. Englund also had five successful years performing in regional theater including plays by Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw.
Englund has said that his training at UCLA and Oakland University gave him the skills and knowledge he needed to succeed in the theater world. He has also shared that his experience performing in regional theater helped him to develop his craft and to gain confidence as an actor.
Robert Englund wife
Englund has been married to Nancy Booth since 1988. Nancy is a set decorator who met Englund while working on the set of the 1988 horror film 976-EVIL.
Nancy Booth has worked on several other films and television shows, including Freddy’s Nightmares, The X-Files, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They are a private couple and do not often speak about their personal life in public. However, they have been married for over 30 years and seem to be very happy together.
Before his relationship with Booth, Englund was previously married to Elizabeth Gardner. They tied the knot in 1968 and divorced in 1972.
Robert Englund’s children
Englund does not have any children. In a 2008 interview, Englund said that he and his wife, Nancy, had considered having children, but ultimately decided against it. He said that they both had busy careers and that they didn’t want to raise a child in the spotlight.
Englund has said that he is happy with his decision not to have children. He said that he loves being a godfather to his friends’ children and that he enjoys spending time with them.
Robert Englund’s acting career
Robert Englund’s early movies
Robert Englund’s acting career spans almost five decades. He started his acting career in the early 1970s, appearing in several television shows and films. He made his feature film debut in the 1973 film Buster and Billie, and had subsequent roles in the following movies:
- Sunburst (1975)
- Hustle (1975)
- Stay Hungry (1976)
- St. Ives (1976)
- Eaten Alive (1976)
- A Star Is Born (1976)
- The Great Smokey Roadblock (1977)
- Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy (1977)
- Big Wednesday (1978)
- The Courage and the Passion (1978)
- BloodBrothers (1978)
- The Fifth Floor (1978)
- The Ordeal of Patty Hearst (1979)
- Mind Over Murder (1979)
- Dead & Buried (1981)
- Galaxy of Terror (1981)
- Though Shall Not Kill (1982)
- Don’t Cry, It’s Only Thunder (1982)
- Mysterious Two (1982)
- The Fighter (1983)
- Starflight: The Plane That Couldn’t Land (1983)
- I Want to Live (1983)
- Hobson’s Choice (1983)
- Journey’s End (1983)
Robert Englund’s breakout role
Englund’s breakout role is the previously mentioned Freddy Krueger, who made his first appearance in the 1984 horror film. A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Freddy’s most notable physical characteristics include his burned and disfigured face. He usually wears a red and green striped sweater, a fedora, and trademark clawed gloves.
A Nightmare on Elm Street was a critical and commercial success, and it spawned a franchise that would last for over two decades. Englund reprised the role of Freddy Krueger in video games, a television series, and seven movie sequels, which are as follows:
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: Dream Master (1988)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)
- Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)
- Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
- Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
Robert Englund’s TV shows
In addition to the above-mentioned Freddy’s Nightmares, Englund has made appearances in various TV shows throughout his career. Here are some of them:
- V (1983-1985): Englund played the character Willie, an alien, in this sci-fi miniseries and subsequent TV series.
- Supernatural (2005-2020): Englund guest-starred in the episode “Jump the Shark” as the character Dr. Robert “Bob” Singer, an important figure in the Winchester brothers’ lives.
- Freddy’s Nightmares (1988-1990): Englund hosted and occasionally appeared in this anthology horror series, reprising his role as Freddy Krueger.
- Nightmare Cafe (1992): Englund starred as Blackie, the enigmatic proprietor of a supernatural cafe, in this short-lived anthology series.
- Masters of Horror (2005-2007): Englund appeared in multiple episodes of this horror anthology series, including “Cigarette Burns” and “Dance of the Dead.”
- Babylon 5 (1994-1998): Englund portrayed the recurring character of Jeremiah “Jerry” Doyle, a rogue telepath, in this beloved sci-fi series.
- Chuck (2007-2012): Englund had a guest-starring role as Dr. Stanley Wheelwright, a mad scientist, in this action-comedy series.
- Criminal Minds (2006-2020): Englund appeared in the episode “Mosley Lane” as Detective Gassner, showcasing his versatility in a dramatic role.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012-2017): Englund lent his voice to the character of Dire Beaver in this animated series based on the popular comic book franchise.
- Dota: Dragon’s Blood (2021-2022): Englund voices the character of Aetherak, the Air Eldwurm, in this Netflix animated series.
Robert Englund’s upcoming acting projects
Englund will be next seen as Mr. Meredeth in the horror thriller movie Natty Knocks, which is set to come out this 2023. He is also part of the upcoming thriller film Harvest Moon, which is currently in pre-production.