Adam Driver Biography: Adam Douglas Driver, born on November 19, 1983, is an acclaimed American actor known for his work with auteur directors. He made his film debut in J. Edgar (2011) and had supporting roles in Lincoln (2012), Frances Ha (2012), Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), and While We’re Young (2014). Driver rose to international fame for his portrayal of Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015–2019). He earned the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his leading role in Hungry Hearts (2014) and received back-to-back Academy Award nominations: Best Supporting Actor for BlacKkKlansman (2018), in which he played a Jewish police officer infiltrating the KKK, and Best Actor for Marriage Story (2019), where he portrayed a theater director going through a difficult divorce.
Adam Driver Biography
Adam Douglas Driver was born in San Diego, California. His mother, Nancy (née Needham) Wright, is a paralegal from Mishawaka, Indiana, while his father, Joe Douglas Driver, who has deep Southern roots, comes from Little Rock, Arkansas. After his parents divorced, Driver was raised in Mishawaka by his mother and stepfather, a Baptist minister.
Adam Driver Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Adam Douglas Driver
November 19, 1983 Fontana, California, U.S.
|
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Juilliard School (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse |
Joanne Tucker
(m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Adam Driver
Adam Douglas Driver is an American actor, recognized for his collaborations with auteur filmmakers. Driver made his film debut in J. Edgar and played supporting roles in Lincoln, Frances Ha, Inside …
Adam Driver Wiki
- Born: 19 November 1983 (age 41 years), San Diego, California, United States
- Spouse: Joanne Tucker (m. 2013)
- Height: 1.89 m
- Parents: Joe Driver, Nancy Wright
- Education: The Juilliard School (2005–2009), Mishawaka High School, University of Indianapolis
Adam Driver Personal Life
His heritage includes Dutch, English, German, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. He attended Mishawaka High School, where he participated in theater productions. Following the events of 9/11, Driver enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for over two years before a medical injury led to his discharge, preventing him from being deployed. He then spent a year at the University of Indianapolis before transferring to New York City’s Juilliard School to study drama, graduating in 2009.
Early Life
Adam Driver was born in Fontana, California, on November 19, 1983. He is the son of Nancy Wright (née Needham), a paralegal, and Joe Douglas Driver. His paternal family hails from Arkansas, while his maternal roots trace back to Indiana. After moving to San Diego, Driver lived there until age seven. Following his parents’ divorce, he and his mother relocated to Mishawaka, Indiana, where he was mostly raised by his stepfather, Rodney G. Wright, a Baptist minister.
Driver graduated from Mishawaka High School in 2001, living with his mother and older sister. Raised in the Baptist faith, he sang in the church choir. During his teenage years, Driver considered himself a “misfit,” recounting in interviews that he climbed radio towers, set fires, and co-founded a fight club with friends, inspired by the film Fight Club (1999). He was active in choir and theater, performing in school productions such as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Into the Woods, and Guys and Dolls.
How Did Adam Driver Rise to Fame?
Adam Driver’s path to stardom is quite unique compared to many of his peers. After finishing high school, he worked as a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman and a telemarketer before joining the United States Marine Corps. He served for nearly three years but was medically discharged as a Lance Corporal due to a fractured sternum. After his service, Driver spent a year at the University of Indianapolis before successfully auditioning for Juilliard on his second attempt.
Driver’s professional acting career began on Broadway and off-Broadway, supporting himself with jobs as a busboy and waiter. His television debut was a guest role on The Unusuals in 2009, followed by his film debut in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar (2011). However, it was his role as Adam Sackler on HBO’s Girls (2012) that truly launched his career, earning him three Emmy nominations.
How Much Does Adam Driver Earn Per Movie?
There isn’t a fixed figure publicly available for Adam Driver’s earnings per film. Estimates suggest he makes about $2.5 million annually, which could imply similar earnings per movie. His pay likely falls in the single-digit millions range, possibly between $2 million and $5 million per role, depending on the project.
How Much Was Adam Driver Paid for Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
For his debut as Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Driver reportedly earned a mid-to-high six-figure salary. At the time, he was not yet a major star but already had some notable credits.
What Did Adam Driver Earn for the Entire Star Wars Trilogy?
Driver’s total earnings for the Star Wars sequel trilogy are estimated to be over $9.5 million. While he earned a mid-to-high six-figure sum for The Force Awakens, his combined salary for The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019) is believed to be around $9 million—possibly about $4.5 million per film or a salary raise over the two installments.
How Much Did Adam Driver Make for BlacKkKlansman?
Although Driver’s exact pay for BlacKkKlansman (2018) is undisclosed, it’s likely he earned a low to mid single-digit million figure given his rising star status at the time. Driver described the role as compelling, appreciating the character’s professional detachment and how personal life inevitably influences work.
What About Adam Driver’s Salary for House of Gucci?
The amount Adam Driver was paid to portray Maurizio Gucci in House of Gucci (2021) hasn’t been publicly revealed. However, the character’s net worth was around $100 million at his death in 1995. Driver noted the importance of capturing Gucci’s distinctive walk and persona, reflecting a man torn between rejecting and embracing a toxic world.
How Much Did Adam Driver Earn for White Noise?
No official information has been released about Driver’s pay for White Noise (2022), which marked his third collaboration with director Noah Baumbach. The film’s budget grew from $82 million to over $140 million during production, so his salary is estimated between $3 million and $6 million. Driver commented on the eerie coincidence that the movie’s plot mirrors a real toxic event occurring in Ohio, where the film was shot.
What is Adam Driver’s Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Adam Driver’s net worth is estimate at around $16 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He accumulated this wealth through a thriving acting career in both television and film, including multiple award nominations and high-profile roles. Driver’s future in the industry looks promising with many projects ahead.
FAQs
What rank was Adam Driver?
He was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines as an 81mm mortar man. served for two years and eight months, before fracturing his sternum while mountain biking. He was medically discharged with the rank of Lance Corporal.
Why is Adam Driver so good?
His journey as an actor is not only inspiring but also highlights the distinct characteristics that make him stand out in his craft. Adam Driver, with his unique blend of intensity, vulnerability, and versatility, has risen to become one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
How did Adam Driver start his acting career?
Adam Driver began his acting career on Broadway and off-Broadway stages while working as a busboy and waiter. His first TV appearance was a guest role on The Unusuals in 2009, followed by his film debut in J. Edgar (2011). His breakthrough role came as Adam Sackler in HBO’s Girls (2012), which earned him critical acclaim and Emmy nominations.
What military experience does Adam Driver have?
Adam Driver serve in the United States Marine Corps for two years and eight months before being medically discharge due to a fracture sternum. His military service preceded his acting career and influenced his later founding of Arts in the Armed Forces. A nonprofit supporting active-duty service members and veterans through arts programming.
Which directors has Adam Driver frequently collaborated with?
Driver has worked multiple times with acclaimed directors such as Noah Baumbach, starring in Frances Ha, Marriage Story, and White Noise. He also worked with Martin Scorsese in Silence and Spike Lee in BlacKkKlansman, showcasing his range across diverse directorial styles.
What notable stage performances has Adam Driver done?
Adam Driver made his Broadway debut in Mrs. Warren’s Profession (2010) and later appeared in Man and Boy (2011) and Burn This (2019). His performance in Burn This earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.
How did Adam Driver prepare for his role in House of Gucci?
For House of Gucci (2021), Driver focused heavily on embodying the physicality of Maurizio Gucci, particularly his distinctive “Gucci walk.” He studied the persona of Gucci, portraying a man torn between rejecting his background and embracing a toxic world, adding depth to the character.