Kelly McGillis Net Worth and How She Made Her Money

Kelly McGillis’ net worth is estimated at $4 million as of 2024. The actress made her money from her career in acting, TV appearances, and stage performances.

The American actress is popular for movie roles like Kathryn Murphy in The Accused, Charlie in Top Gun, The House on Carroll Street, We Are What We Are, and Rachel Lapp in Witness for which she received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. With an acting career that has spanned 48 years, Kelly has grown to become one of the most sought-after and well-earning actresses in Hollywood.

What is Kelly McGillis’ Net Worth Now?

Kelly McGillis’ net worth is pegged at an impressive $4 million as of 2024. Here is the story of how the Carolina native grew to become not only famous but also wealthy.

Kelly Mcgillis was born on the 9th of July 1957 in Los Angeles, California. She grew interested in acting at a young age, and as a result, she dropped out of high school in 1975 to pursue her passion. She then moved to Juilliard School in New York City to study acting, graduating in 1983. Today, Kelly Mcgillis is one of Hollywood’s most iconic living actresses.

Kelly McGillis’ Net Worth Growth Over the Years

Kelly McGillis Net Worth in 2023 $4 Million
Kelly McGillis Net Worth in 2022 $3 Million
Kelly McGillis Net Worth in 2021 $2.5 Million
Kelly McGillis Net Worth in 2020 $2 Million
Kelly McGillis Net Worth in 2019 $1.3 Million
Kelly McGillis Net Worth in 2018 $1 Million

Acting is the Major Source of Kelly McGillis’ Net Worth

Kelly Mcgillis makes he money mainly through her acting career. In the same year she graduated from Juilliard School, she landed her debut role as Geneva Spofford in the comedy-drama movie Reuben, Reuben. Her performance in the film simply showcased a talented young lady who is ready to take over the film industry. After her debut, it took Kelly two years to land another role which turned out to be her break-out role.

In 1985 she starred as Rachel Lapp in Witness, a movie that gave her the opportunity to share stages with Harrison Ford. Her excellent performance in Witness earned her the BAFTA Film Awards and Golden Globe nominations. Despite the fact that she did not win either of the awards, getting nominated was a big feat for a rising actress like her, and it marked the beginning of her successful career.

In the following year, Kelly bagged her next high-profile role as Charlie, a flight instructor in the 1986 film Top Gum. In this film, Kelly was opportune to stare alongside big names in the industry, such as Meg Ryan and Tom Cruise. After Top Gun, she acted in other high-rated movies, including Cat Chaser, The Babe, The House on Carroll Street, Winter People, The Monkey’s Mask, and At First Sight.

Television and Stage Career

Aside from featuring in movies, actress Kelly McGillis has starred in several television projects, which are mostly made for television films. While she was still a student at Juilliard School, Kelly performed Love for Love by William Congreve, directed by John Bletchley. In 1984, she featured alongside Alec Baldwin in Sweet Revenge, also known as Bittersweet Revenge. 

Other television series she featured in include the daytime soapy, One Life to Live, Private Sessions, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Little Foxes, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Vernice, Hedda Gabbler, to mention but a few of the TV productions she featured in. Moreso, while she has numerous film and TV credits, Kelly’s talent and passion have also been manifesting on stage.

Kelly and Tom Cruise in Top Gun
Kelly and Tom Cruise in Top Gun, image source

Kelly Mcgillis has worked as a stage actress in the Shakespeare Theatre Company. In 2004, she featured in the Graduate stage play and worked as a narrator in Sanatabear’s First Christmas. Some of her on-stage roles are the role of Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by Shakespeare, and many others. Kelly McGillis is a stage actress par excellence.

Her outstanding acting abilities made her the desire of most casting directors and studios. This recognition earned her a spot with other big names in the industry, such as Timothy Hutton and Jeff Daniels.

Being an Acting Teacher Also Contributes To Kelly McGillis Net Worth

Actress Kelly is an acting teacher/instructor in North Carolina, where she lives. She puts in a good amount of her time to teaching several aspiring actors and actresses what she has learned in more than three decades of acting. No doubt, this endeavor definitely adds a chunk to her pocket.

Meanwhile, the actress took a 6-year hiatus from acting in 2000 after featuring in The Monkey’s Mask. On her return, she appeared in the 5th season of The L Word, The Innkeepers, We Are What We Are, Love Finds You in Sugar Creek, Blue, and Tio Papi, among others. These movies and more gave her worldwide recognition and also fattened her pocket.

All these endeavors summed up Kelly McGillis’ net worth to the tune of $4 million. Although her later career is more in horror movies, Kelly is a versatile actress who can interpret any movie role.

Kelly Mcgillis’ Net Worth and Financial Overview

Aspect Details
Net Worth Approximately $4 million
Primary Income Sources Acting in films and television, theater performances
Additional Income Sources Endorsements, brand collaborations, public appearances, and speaking engagements
Investments and Assets Real estate investments, other undisclosed assets

List of Kelly McGillis’ Movies

  • Top Gun (1986)
  • Witness (1985)
  • The Accused (1988)
  • North (1994)
  • We Are What We Are (2013)
  • Stake Land (2010)
  • At First Sight (1999)
  • The Innkeepers (2011)
  • The Babe (1992)
  • Made in Heaven (1987)
  • Cat Chaser (1989)
  • The House on Carroll Street (1988)
  • Ground Control (1998)
  • Love Finds You in Sugarcreek (2014 TV Movie)
  • Winter People (1989)
  • Reuben, Reuben (1983)
  • In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness (1994 TV Movie)
  • The Monkey’s Mask (2000)
  • Grand Isle (1991)
  • Stake Land: Origins (2011)
  • Black Widower (2006 TV Movie)
  •  Blue (I) (2015)
  •  Santabear’s High Flying Adventure (1987 TV Movie)
  • Storm Chasers: Revenge of the Twister (1998 TV Movie)
  • Maternal Secrets (2018 TV Movie)
  • Sweet Revenge (1984 TV Movie)
  • Private Sessions (1985 TV Movie)
  • No One Can Hear You (2001)
  • Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing (1992 TV Movie)

What is Kelly McGillis’ Current Salary?

The exact figure she earns for each movie appearance is not known, but there is no denying the fact that Kelly McGillis is one of the high-earning actresses in Hollywood. She is believed to be pocketing a mouthwatering sum, considering how successful and popular most of her movies and TV series turn out to be.

Moreso, as her popularity keeps increasing by the day, her fees are also increasing. Actress Kelly Mcgillis reportedly owns a variety of properties in the US. She owns two beautiful homes in Florida and Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she currently lives.

Also, She is a lover of fine rides and has a good number of them in her garage, which includes Chevrolet Camaro SS, Mercedes Benz, Ford Mustang, etc. These and more end up showing how much she has really made from her on-screen endeavors.

How Much Was Kelly McGillis’ Paid For Top Gun?

Kelly Mcgillis’ salary for her role in Top Gun is not known to the public. However, it is reported that the male lead actors in the film series, Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer were paid $2 million and $250,000 respectively.

While there’s no information available on her opinion about her pay for Top Gun, Kelly did mention in interviews that the success of the film changed her life.

Career Highlights and Earnings

Aspect Details
Breakthrough Role Rachel Lapp in “Witness” (1985)
Notable Films “Top Gun” (1986), “The Accused” (1988), “The House on Carroll Street” (1988), “Haunted” (1995)
Stage Performances Notable performance as Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate” (Theater Production, 2002)
Salary & Earnings Varied over career; significant earnings from major film roles and theater work

 

Kelly Mcgillis’ Personal Life and Impact

Aspect Details
Marriages and Relationships Married to Boyd Black (divorced), Fred Tillman (divorced), Civil Union with Melanie Leis (ended)
Children Two daughters: Kelsey and Sonora
Advocacy and Philanthropy Active in supporting women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness
Personal Challenges Overcame personal traumas and challenges, including issues with addiction

 

Kelly Mcgillis’ Residence and Lifestyle

Aspect Details
Current Residence Hendersonville, North Carolina
Lifestyle Comfortable, modest, private; enjoys tranquility and nature of North Carolina

 

Awards and Nominations

Actress Kelly McGillis has won a couple of awards and has been nominated for many. In addition to the fame and riches that are the trademarks of the profession, Kelly has been decorated with some notable awards that undoubtedly add to her prestige and relevance in the American film industry. Below are some of them

  • Best Actress in Made in Heaven, Bravo Otto
  • Best Actress in The Accused by Bravo Otto
  • Golden Ciak, Best Actress in Made in Heaven
  • Bravo Otto Best Actress Top Gun
  • Best Actress in Witness by BAFTA Award
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Witness by Golden Globe

Legacy and Industry Influence

Aspect Details
Industry Impact Influential performances in a variety of film genres, including horror
Legacy in Acting Inspiration to aspiring actors, advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights
Contributions Enduring performances in film and theater, involvement in various social causes

 

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