Nicolas Cage biography, net worth now, son, daughter, wife, age, awards 2025

Nicolas Cage Biography

Nicolas Cage (real name Nicholas Kim Coppola) is an American film actor, director, and producer who's won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe. He shot to fame with movies like "Leaving Las Vegas," "Face/Off," "Con Air," "Gone in 60 Seconds," "National Treasure," "Ghost Rider," "Knowing," and many others.

Family and Early Years

Nicolas Cage was born on January 7, 1964, in Long Beach, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. His parents were literature teacher August Floyd Coppola (1934 – 2009) and dancer and choreographer Joy Vogelsang (born 1935). Nicolas was the youngest of three sons.

The legendary director Francis Ford Coppola is Nicolas's paternal uncle, and this connection would partly shape Cage's future life and his eventual passion for cinema.

When the boy was 12, his parents divorced, but the sons maintained warm relationships with both their father and mother. "These are two essential aspects – my father gave me intellectual life, and my mother gave me emotional life, and they complement each other beautifully and really help me in my acting," he said.

This is how the future actor looked in high school

Nicolas attended Beverly Hills High School, famous for producing many students who later find their way into show business. Even in school, he stood out for his rich imagination and creative approach to assignments.

One of Cage's classmates recalled: "We took history together. I remember we were studying Cro-Magnon man, and we were assigned to write about their lives. We all turned in short one-page papers with simple facts, but Nick wrote an entire eight-page essay from the perspective of a specific Cro-Magnon who woke up in his cave one morning. 'Interesting guy,' I thought."

When some boys started picking on Nicolas because of his famous last name, he didn't run to teachers or parents to complain. Instead, he put on a leather jacket, dark sunglasses, and appeared before his tormentors pretending to be his own "uncle," threatening to beat them up. The trick worked perfectly, and from then on, no one bothered Nicolas anymore.

Nicolas got his first acting experience in the school production of "Golden Boy" based on the Broadway show. The young man's idol was the famous 1950s film actor James Dean: "I got into acting just to become like him," Cage later recalled. Both of his older brothers, Mark and Christopher, have worked in New York radio their entire adult lives.

When the young man was fifteen, he began persistently pestering his famous uncle to give him a role in a movie. "I'll show you how to act," he kept insisting. After his uncle's stubborn refusals, Nicolas started approaching other directors with the same request.

At first there were disagreements between Nicolas Cage and his uncle

To forge his own path and distance himself from the Coppola name, he took the stage name Nicolas Cage in honor of Marvel Comics character Luke Cage. Without finishing high school, the young man dropped out and enrolled in courses at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, which had previously graduated Francis Ford Coppola and James Dean, as well as Steve Martin, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, and many other film stars.

The Beginning of His Film Career

Nicolas Cage made his debut at 18, appearing in a small role in the teen comedy "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982) – a film that became the prototype for the popular teen sex-comedy genre and made it onto the American Film Institute's list of "100 Funniest American Movies in 100 Years." This movie is also considered the launching pad for two future superstars – Sean Penn and Forest Whitaker.

Riding the wave of his first film's success, Cage landed his first leading role in his second movie, starring in Martha Coolidge's romantic comedy "Valley Girl" (1983).

Nicolas Cage's acting career began in the 80s

Only after this did Francis Coppola finally believe the young man could actually become an actor, casting him in his cult drama "Rumble Fish" (1983). The 19-year-old Cage didn't mind that his role in this film was supporting, and he worked brilliantly alongside the key actors, Matt Dillon and Mickey Rourke.

The young actor's next project was the melodrama "Racing with the Moon" (1984), where he performed in a wonderful acting trio with his already familiar Sean Penn and the beautiful Elizabeth McGovern. Following this, Cage appeared in another film by his famous uncle – the gangster drama "Cotton Club" (1984). Here his role wasn't one of the leads again; Richard Gere played the main character, and the cast featured renowned musician and composer Tom Waits.

In 1985, director Alan Parker's film "Birdy" was released, and in 1986 came the Canadian film "The Boy in Blue" by Charles Jarrott – Nicolas played the lead role in both pictures.

1986 marked a breakthrough of sorts, and following other directors, Francis Ford Coppola finally decided to cast his nephew in a leading role. His uncle's recognition meant even more to Cage than public and critical approval, though Coppola still occasionally grumbled that Nicolas "absolutely can't act."

After 'Rumble Fish' Coppola changed his mind about his nephew

Nevertheless, in his uncle's tragicomedy "Peggy Sue Got Married," Cage brilliantly handled the male lead, performing alongside actress Kathleen Turner, who won the National Society of Film Critics Award for this work. However, during production, the director-uncle got angry with his nephew and nearly fired him for stubbornly making his character speak in some strange falsetto. But then Coppola relented and agreed that the unusual vocal tone successfully emphasized the character's personality.

Nicolas Cage and Francis Ford Coppola on the set of 'Peggy Sue'

In 1987, Cage met the famous singer Cher and starred alongside her in the romantic comedy "Moonstruck." "Blessed with the bright energy of Nicolas Cage and Cher, 'Moonstruck' sings a rapturous song of love – it's the most touching comedy of the decade," critics raved.

That same year, he landed the lead role in the Coen Brothers' crime comedy "Raising Arizona" – this was the famous directors' first film shot in their signature genre of comedy bordering on farce, and audiences received it with mixed feelings. In 1988, "Vampire's Kiss" hit theaters, bombing at the box office and initially getting trashed by critics: "Cage clearly overacts, making his character unsympathetic."

Nicolas Cage - You Don't Say [meme original]

However, audiences eventually embraced the film, and within a few years it became a cult classic. Cage then appeared in the Italian war drama "Tempo di uccidere" (1989), followed by the action flick "Fire Birds" (1990), where he starred alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Sean Young. This picture also received poor reviews – critics dismissed it as derivative work riding on the coattails of the successful "Top Gun" starring Tom Cruise.

Frame from the movie 'Tempo di uccidere'

After that, Cage's luck improved when he landed the lead role opposite actress Laura Dern in David Lynch's melodrama "Wild at Heart" (1990). The film won the top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the Cannes Film Festival, and Cage's performance earned high praise, though he didn't take home any awards for it. The next few years proved productive for the actor in terms of roles and films, but generally unsuccessful when it came to box office numbers and audience recognition.

Wild at Heart. Nicolas Cage's Song

Without much fanfare, theaters saw the release of "Zandalee" (1991), "Honeymoon in Vegas" (1992, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker), "Red Rock West" (1993), "Amos & Andrew" (1993, paired with Samuel L. Jackson), "Deadfall" (1993), "The Bodyguard" (1994), "It Could Happen to You" (1994, with Bridget Fonda), "Trapped in Paradise" (1994), and "Kiss of Death" (1995, with Samuel L. Jackson).

Photos from filming the drama 'Leaving Las Vegas'

Career Peak in Cinema

The turning point in Cage's professional life came with his role in the romantic drama "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995), where he played the lead as an unfortunate alcoholic who falls in love with a prostitute.

"The characters are a drunk and a loose woman, but their hearts are pure gold. Cage and Shue transform these social stereotypes into living, unforgettable people," critics wrote

For this performance, the actor won both the Academy Award and Golden Globe, his co-star Elisabeth Shue was also nominated for both awards, and the film received several other prizes and nominations.

Next came his work on the successful action film "The Rock" (1996), for which Nicolas Cage and his partner Sean Connery won the MTV Movie Award for Best Duo, and in 1997 Simon West's famous thriller "Con Air" hit screens, featuring Cage alongside John Cusack and John Malkovich.

These two films allowed the actor to establish himself in a persona that would become one of his favorites in subsequent years – the "ordinary" man thrust into extreme circumstances who must display extraordinary resourcefulness, cunning, and often physical endurance.

Soon after, he starred opposite John Travolta in John Woo's sci-fi thriller "Face/Off" (1997) – in this film's plot, a police officer played by Cage undergoes a temporary face transplant from a captured criminal to infiltrate a mafia clan and gather valuable intelligence, while the criminal manages to acquire the hero-cop's face and escape to freedom.

This way, both Cage and Travolta played dual roles in the film – hero and villain – conveying through their performances two completely opposing characters and two deeply different emotional spectrums. Critics wrote: "Travolta and Cage play cat-and-mouse (literally playing with each other's lives) against a stylishly constructed backdrop of violence, elegant in its unthinkable brutality – John Woo's calling card."

This was followed by successful but less high-profile Cage films including "City of Angels" (1998, paired with Meg Ryan), "Snake Eyes" (1998), "8MM" (1999), "Bringing Out the Dead" (1999, co-starring Patricia Arquette, directed by Martin Scorsese). His career got a major boost from the thriller "Gone in 60 Seconds" (2000), where Cage struck up a friendship with Angelina Jolie during filming. Their on-screen chemistry was so electric that the tabloids spent years claiming the actors were having an affair.

Gone in 60 Seconds – one of the best Nicolas Cage films

Another memorable performance came in the fantasy-tinged drama "The Family Man" (2000), where Cage played a ruthless workaholic gradually discovering the value of family and love. While critics dismissed it as a "typical and predictable Christmas story," audiences embraced the film.

Other early 2000s Cage films include "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" (2001, co-starring Penélope Cruz), "Windtalkers" (2002, directed by John Woo), "Adaptation" (2002, featuring Meryl Streep, which earned Cage Oscar and Golden Globe nominations), and "Matchstick Men" (2003). 2002 also saw the release of "Sonny" (also titled "The Gigolo"), little-known in Russia, marking Cage's debut as both director and producer.

Adaptation: Nicolas Cage and... Nicolas Cage

In 2001, Cage first tried voice acting in the animated film "Christmas Carol" based on Charles Dickens' book. He later lent his voice to animated features including "The Ant Bully" (2006), "G-Force" (2009), "Astro Boy" (2009), and "The Croods" (2013, voicing Grug).

2004 brought a defining Cage film – the adventure thriller "National Treasure." The gripping tale of treasure hunting, secret codes, Masons and Templars, plus modern-day adventurers, scholars and criminals so captivated both filmmakers and audiences that a sequel, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," followed three years later. In both films, John Voight – Angelina Jolie's father – played the hero's dad.

Other films from this period include "Lord of War" (2005, co-starring Jared Leto), where Cage starred and produced, "The Weather Man" (2005), "The Wicker Man" (2006, with Cage as star and producer), and Oliver Stone's disaster film "World Trade Center" (2006) about the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Among Cage's films, the mystical thriller "Ghost Rider" (2007) stands out, where the actor was paired with Eva Mendes – the film was panned by critics but proved quite successful at the box office. Critics brutally slammed the movie for its "satanic imagery," "clumsy, lifeless storytelling," and "ridiculous dialogue," as well as the "arrogant nature" of the main character – a motorcycle stuntman who was forced to sell his soul to Mephistopheles to save his father, yet still tried to fight on the side of good.

Inspired by the film's box office success, its creators released a sequel in 2012 – "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance." The second installment faced even fiercer backlash from critics, but still managed to be fairly successful in terms of box office returns.

GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE - Official Trailer

In 2007, Cage starred alongside Julianne Moore in the sci-fi thriller "Next," and in 2008 – in the crime action film "Bangkok Dangerous," which he also produced.

In 2009, the supernatural thriller "Knowing" hit theaters, and it's rightfully considered Cage's best work in the sci-fi genre. "This is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen," wrote one critic, "frightening, tension-filled, intelligent, and where it needs to be, terrifyingly beautiful."

In "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" (2009), Cage reunited with Eva Mendes on screen. The film bombed spectacularly at the box office, though critics called Cage's performance "the best acting work of the year." He then appeared in "Kick-Ass" (2010, starring Chloë Grace Moretz), "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (2010, featuring Monica Bellucci), "Season of the Witch" (2010), "Drive Angry" (2011), "Trespass" (2011, alongside Nicole Kidman), and "The Hungry Rabbit Jumps" (2011) – and each of these projects proved both interesting and successful.

The dramatic thriller "The Medallion," released in 2014, didn't quite hit the mark. Despite generating some audience interest, it received harsh criticism and failed to recoup its budget. The films shot throughout the 2010s also didn't bring in big box office numbers or add much to Cage's reputation: "The Frozen Ground" (2013, with John Cusack), "Joe" (2013), "Rage" (2014), "Outcast" (2014), and "Left Behind" (2014).

According to the actor himself, he enjoys working with young and unknown directors while they're still full of enthusiasm and approach their work without preconceptions, as well as with experienced directors who've maintained a fresh perspective and haven't "sold out to big industry for big money."

This trend continued with his films "Dying of the Light" (2014), "The Runner" (2015), "Pay the Ghost" (2015), "Trust" (2016, featuring Elijah Wood), "Dog Eat Dog" (2016), "USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage" (2016), "Inconceivable" (2016), "Arsenal" (2017, with John Cusack), "Vengeance: A Love Story" (2017), and "The Humanity Bureau" (2017).

When critics sometimes accused Cage of imperfect acting and "overacting beyond acceptable levels," he calmly responded: "Show me exactly where that level is, and I'll tell you whether I'm acting above it or not."

2017 also saw the horror film "Mom and Dad" (starring Selma Blair) and the sci-fi action flick "The Humanity Bureau." Around the same time, he was working on the thriller "Looking Glass" and the action film "211." While performing a stunt during filming in Bulgaria, the actor broke his leg and was sent home to the US for treatment, which slowed production and delayed the film's release.

Looking Glass trailer, 2018

2018 brought the thriller "Mandy," where Cage's character wages bloody war against a cult whose members killed his beloved woman. Additionally, from 2018 to 2019, Cage worked on "Between Worlds," "Running with the Devil," "Zander," and "Siberia."

In 2019, audiences could catch him in "A Score to Settle," "Color Out of Space," and "Running with the Devil." However, despite featuring this world-renowned actor, none of these films achieved high ratings – critics gave each no more than a "5" out of "10." Still, he found his niche in low-budget horror films.

Willy's Wonderland - Official Trailer

Career in the 2020s

In 2020, Nicolas Cage voiced a character in another installment of "The Croods" franchise, and also starred in the low-rated action film "Jiu Jitsu" and the trash horror "Willy's Wonderland."

Spring 2021 brought the release of director Michael Sarnoski's "Pig," which became a revelation for both critics and Cage fans alike. Instead of his usual explosive energy, the actor demonstrated remarkable restraint, playing hermit Rob, who ventures into Portland searching for his stolen pig. The animal is crucial: the pig helps Rob hunt for truffles, which is how he makes his living.

Nicolas Cage with a beard sits on a house porch with food in his hand next to a pig eating from a bowl — Nicolas Cage in "Pig"

Cage himself compared his approach to this role with Japanese haiku:

A haiku is five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables, and it's the quiet spaces that make you think, inspired by the words and syllables. That's what this film is like.

Critics unanimously agreed that "Pig" wasn't a revenge story in the vein of "John Wick," as many expected, but rather a subtle meditation on loss and grief. The film earned 87% approval from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with Cage's performance called piercing. For the actor, this marked a return to the type of roles that earned him an Oscar for "Leaving Las Vegas."

In April 2022, Cage appeared in an even more unexpected role in the comedy "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent," where he played a hyperbolized version of himself. Tom Gormican's film became a smart reflection on the actor's career: Cage conducts dialogues with his younger alter-ego and is forced to apply skills from his action movies to a real-life kidnapping situation.

Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal sit on stone steps: one laughs with a phone in hand, the other gazes thoughtfully to the side — Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal in "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent"

Interestingly, the actor himself stated:

I will never see this movie. I'm told it's a good movie. I'm told people love it, but I made it for audiences. Psychologically, it's too weird and crazy for me – to go to the premiere and sit there with everyone.

The film earned 87% critical approval and grossed $29 million against a $30 million budget, which was considered a success for such an experimental project. The partnership with Pedro Pascal was called one of the film's main strengths – critics specifically noted the chemistry between the actors.

In 2023, he appeared in the horror-comedy "Renfield" as Dracula, played a professor in "Dream Scenario," and even briefly appeared as an alternate version of Superman in "The Flash."

One standout from this list was "Dream Scenario" by Norwegian director Kristoffer Borgli. Cage ranked the film's script in his top 5 of his entire career. In the movie, he plays Paul Matthews, a hapless professor who suddenly starts appearing in strangers' dreams around the world. The role earned him his fifth Golden Globe nomination.

Nicolas Cage wearing glasses and a gray long-sleeved shirt screaming while standing in a room — Still from "Dream Scenario"

July 2024 brought Cage one of his most commercially successful projects in recent years – the horror-thriller "Longlegs" directed by Osgood Perkins. Playing a satanist serial killer, Cage disappeared under grotesque makeup, allowing him to create one of the most memorable villains of his career.

The film became a sensation thanks to Neon studio's brilliant marketing campaign, which used viral promotion tactics reminiscent of "The Blair Witch Project." As a result, with a budget under $10 million, the picture grossed $128 million worldwide, becoming Neon's highest-grossing film in the US and the most successful independent film of the year.

Nicolas Cage with gray hair and a pale face stands by a bus stop sign against a winter landscape backdrop — Nicolas Cage in "Longlegs"

By 2024, the actor also began talking about plans to wrap up his career, stating he had "three or four leading roles" left in him. However, he later clarified that he meant specifically leading roles, not ruling out the possibility of cameo appearances.

Nicolas Cage's Personal Life

Nicolas Cage's personal life, especially in his younger years, was no less turbulent and unusual than his professional one.

Patricia Arquette

In 1987, he met 18-year-old Patricia Arquette and asked her to marry him that same day. Not taking such a spontaneous proposal seriously, the young woman presented her suitor with what seemed like an impossible challenge: "I guess I'd marry you. But only if you get me a black orchid, a genuine Salinger autograph, a wedding dress from a Lisu tribe woman from Southeast Asia, and a figurine from a restaurant. And sing me a serenade."

Against her expectations, Nicolas took up the challenge and fulfilled all her whims (the orchid was spray-painted black). Patricia had to keep her word and agree to marriage. They planned to wed in Cuba, but a computer glitch at the airport caused delays with their plane tickets. The uncertain bride took this as a sign from above and seized the opportunity to flee.

Christina Fulton

In 1988, Cage began a relationship with actress Christina Fulton, who later gave birth to their son Weston Coppola Cage (born December 26, 1990). Even though father and son didn't live together, they always maintained a warm and close relationship.

"He's very down-to-earth, a very loving father and a very intelligent person," Weston said in an interview. "We talked so much together, and it was wonderful. I remember and treasure every conversation we had."

Weston is a musician: his vocals can be heard in black metal bands "Eyes of Noctum" (until 2012) and "Arsh Anubis" (starting in 2011). He also played a small role in the film "Lord of War."

On July 1, 2014, Weston and his wife Danielle welcomed a son, Lucian Augustus Coppola Cage – the famous actor's grandson, whom he absolutely adores. "I enjoy being a grandfather every second," Cage admitted.

In July 2024, the actor's eldest son, 33-year-old Weston Coppola Cage, was arrested on charges of assaulting his mother Christina Fulton with a deadly weapon. The incident occurred on April 28, 2024, when Christina came to help her son, who according to his friends was having a mental breakdown. Weston turned himself in to police and was released on $150,000 bail.

Patricia Arquette Again

In 1995, the actor reconnected with Patricia Arquette, who by then had also had a son, and their old love was rekindled. This time Patricia was the one who proposed, and they married on April 8, 1995. The couple lived in love and harmony for just nine months before separating, though they continued to put on a public front that everything was fine.

Nicolas Cage and Patricia Arquette on the set of Bringing Out the Dead

On the set of "Bringing Out the Dead," where Cage and Arquette starred together in the lead roles, no one suspected they were watching not loving husband and wife, but two people who had become virtual strangers. In February 2000, Cage filed for divorce, then changed his mind and tried to reconcile with his wife, but by November they had separated for good, and the divorce was finalized in May 2001.

Lisa Marie Presley

Cage's second wife was singer Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the legendary "King of Rock and Roll" Elvis Presley. By the time they met, she'd already been married twice (including to another "king" – the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson) and had two children.

Once again, love struck the actor at first sight: "When I walked into the room, I saw this beautiful girl in the middle of the living room. She was wearing a leather mini skirt and blazer, and there was something passionate in her inconsolable eyes... I froze in place."

The couple tied the knot on August 10, 2002 – the 25th anniversary of Elvis's death – and at first, Lisa was thrilled with her new husband: "We had a lot in common, like having a famous family name, and I admire his boldness because he separated himself from his surname and started his career on his own. He and I found some rebellious spirit in each other."

Cage was married to Elvis Presley's daughter

Their married life was turbulent – the couple was constantly rocked by scandals. Rumors that Lisa was just a "collectible" for Cage, connected to her late father, only added fuel to the fire. During one major fight on a bridge, Lisa shouted that it was over between them. Cage then pulled her $65,000 wedding ring off her finger and threw it into the water. They made up that same day and hired a diver, but the depth was too great and the ring couldn't be found. Two days later, Nicolas presented his wife with a new ring – even bigger and more expensive than the first.

The spectacular couple had ups and downs

But soon enough, during another heated argument, Lisa once again threatened divorce, and this time Cage didn't try to talk her out of it – he went and filed the papers himself. The marriage lasted just 109 days. Cage later admitted: "I used to be a punk rocker and a rebel, and I absolutely didn't want any domestic comfort or coziness. But my marriage to Lisa Presley cured me of that."

In January 2023, Lisa Marie Presley died. The actor's reaction to her death was emotional: "My heart is broken."

Alice Kim

Nicolas Cage's third wife was Alice Kim (born November 27, 1983), a former waitress of Korean descent. The actor met her in 2004 at a Los Angeles restaurant where she was working. Kim was just 19 years old at the time.

As had happened before with Cage, this was love at first sight: just a couple of months after meeting, the pair announced their engagement, and two months later, on July 30, 2004, they tied the knot.

On October 3, 2005, the couple welcomed their son Kal-El, named after Superman (it's the superhero's Kryptonian name).

The actor's third official marriage proved much more solid than his previous ones – their family life lasted 11 years. Cage treasured his wife and younger son, and they often accompanied him on trips during filming.

I'm really happy when I can bring my loved ones with me, wherever I go. I want to always be close to my children and help them as much as possible in their wonderful endeavors.

Still, his volatile nature made itself known in this marriage too: the actor would sometimes get drunk and yell at his wife so loudly that neighbors had to call the police, and in 2011 he was arrested for domestic violence. In January 2016, the couple announced their split.

Erika Koike

His marriage to 34-year-old makeup artist Erika Koike became record-breakingly short even by fickle Hollywood standards, so the actor doesn't formally count it. Nicolas Cage dated her for about a year, with the pair first spotted together in April 2018 in Puerto Rico. On March 23, 2019, they got married in Las Vegas.

Just four days later, on March 27, Cage filed for annulment, citing these reasons: he was drunk when they got married, Koike had hidden certain facts about her background from him, including contact with drug dealers and two DUI convictions.

Riko Shibata

Nicolas Cage's fifth marriage story began in Japan, where he met 26-year-old Riko Shibata in Shiga Prefecture. The COVID-19 pandemic separated them for six months: Riko returned to Kyoto while Cage headed back to Nevada. Despite the distance, their relationship grew stronger, and the actor popped the question over FaceTime.

On February 16, 2021, the couple tied the knot at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas in an intimate ceremony. The date wasn't random – it coincided with Cage's late father's birthday. The newlyweds have a 31-year age gap: the bride was 26 at the time of their wedding, while the groom was 57.

The newlyweds made their first public appearance at the premiere of "Pig" in July 2021. In 2022, Cage told the Los Angeles Times:

I'm really happily married. I know five wives is a lot, but I think I got it right this time.

On September 7, 2022, the couple welcomed their daughter August Francesca. The actor's representative told People: "Nicolas and Riko are happy to announce the birth of their daughter. Both mother and daughter are doing well."

In March 2024, the couple appeared at the Motion Picture & Television Fund gala, where they looked like one happy family.

Financial Circumstances

By the early 2000s, Nicolas Cage was one of America's wealthiest actors. As an Oscar winner and A-list movie star, he commanded massive paychecks that, given his prolific output, added up to seriously impressive sums.

But Cage never just sat on his money – he's known as one of Hollywood's most generous philanthropists. He donated $2 million to Amnesty International to help children affected by armed conflicts worldwide, gave $1 million to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, and supported countless other charitable and educational programs, earning him an honorary UN award for his humanitarian work.

Nicolas Cage spent several years paying off his debts

However, the actor wasn't just spending his fortune on worthy causes – he also indulged in wild partying and maintaining a seriously luxurious lifestyle. He happily acquired a luxury private jet and several yachts, while collecting expensive cars and buying elite real estate became Cage's particular "hobby." In the mid-2000s, he bought three historic castles at once – one in Bavaria and two in Britain – then poured insane amounts of money into restoring them.

The crown jewel of his massive property portfolio was a 24,000-square-foot mansion in Middletown, Rhode Island, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Among Cage's other real estate holdings were luxury homes in Malibu and the Bahamas, three massive estates across the US (in Louisiana, Nevada, and California), plus several other impressive properties – 15 exclusive real estate assets total, any of which he could call home. His personal accountant repeatedly warned Cage that he was spending too much and living beyond his means, but the actor turned a deaf ear to these concerns.

The 2008-2009 economic crisis hit Cage hard. By then, the actor was already financially drained from legal battles with two ex-wives and his eldest son's mother, but his wealth completely collapsed when the IRS took him to court for unpaid taxes.

He owed the government $6.2 million, which ballooned to $14 million over several years due to penalties and interest. To pay off his debts, the actor was forced to sell his private jet and unload all his mansions, but the real estate market had crashed during the crisis, and Cage could only get a fraction of what he'd originally invested in each property.

This castle in Bavaria belonged to Nicolas Cage

According to the actor, all he has left in terms of real estate is a "tiny – and I mean really tiny – house" in England and a modest apartment in Las Vegas. About his life, Cage says: "I'm one of those Americans who believes in work. If you've made mistakes in the past, you don't step on people or hide from them in a cave – no, you find a way to work through it all."

By 2022, Cage had completely paid off all his debts. In 2023, he told "60 Minutes" in an interview:

I was over-invested in real estate. The real estate market crashed, and I couldn't get out in time. I paid it all back, but it was about $6 million. I never filed for bankruptcy.

Back in 2021, Cage bought a house in Las Vegas for $2.85 million, and in August 2024, he purchased a Malibu mansion for $10.5 million. The actor who once owned 15 homes, including two castles and a private island, now lives a more modest lifestyle.

Cage is a huge comic book fan. He built a collection of 400 vintage issues, which he sold at auction in 2002 for $1.6 million. In 2007, he and his son Weston created their own comic book, which was published by Virgin Comics.

Nicolas Cage has a huge collection of comics

Nicolas Cage Now

Cage remains an incredibly in-demand actor. In 2025, he began filming one of his most ambitious projects – the series "Spider-Man Noir" for Amazon MGM Studios.

The eight-episode project, set in an alternate 1930s New York, marks his first major television role. Filming took place from August 2024 through March 2025 in Los Angeles, using black-and-white cameras to achieve an authentic noir style.

Nicolas Cage in Spider-Man Noir costume on set wearing a leather coat and hat — Nicolas Cage on the set of "Spider-Noir"

Meanwhile, Cage was also filming the biographical drama "Madden," directed by David O. Russell, where he plays legendary football coach and commentator John Madden. The film began shooting in April 2025 in Atlanta, with a cast that also includes Christian Bale, John Mulaney, and Kathryn Hahn.

Nicolas Cage: latest news and articles

Mary Hammond

Why they texted so little movies? Actually he played in many movies

2021-05-09 12:45:53
Jonathan Jones

What is that movie Mandy? I didn`t watch it at all but it released in 2018

2021-05-01 22:21:16
Samuel Olson

Not like an actor and not like a man I never liked him but he used to play in a cool movies and had a main roles.

2021-04-26 20:06:49
Logan Eric Rivera

The role in the movies about Ghost Rider is groovy, the movie is worthy but the second part I didn`t like so much.

2021-04-14 08:14:30
Michael Huff

Cool man, cool actor! Sometimes he had a failure roles but it happens to everyone.

2021-04-03 23:22:04

Nicolas Cage

Photos: Nicolas Cage