Edward Norton Biography: Edward Harrison Norton, born on August 18, 1969, is an acclaimed American actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter. A Yale College graduate with a degree in history (1991), Norton briefly worked in Japan before relocating to New York City to pursue acting. He gained immediate recognition for his film debut in Primal Fear (1996), winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and earning an Academy Award nomination.
Edward Norton Biography
Edward Harrison Norton, an American actor, filmmaker, and activist, was born on August 18, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Columbia, Maryland. His mother, Lydia Robinson “Robin” (Rouse), was an English teacher and foundation executive, as well as the daughter of renowned real estate developer James Rouse, the visionary behind the city of Columbia. She passed away from brain cancer on March 6, 1997.
Edward Norton Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Edward Harrison Norton
August 18, 1969 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
|
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Yale University (BA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse |
Shauna Robertson
(m. 2012) |
| Children | 2[1] |
| Relatives | James Rouse (grandfather) |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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Edward Norton Personal Life
Norton’s father, Edward Mower Norton, is an environmental lawyer and conservation advocate affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Edward is the eldest of three siblings, with a brother, James, and a sister, Molly. Norton developed an early passion for acting, expressing a deep interest in theater from the age of five. By eight, he was already asking his drama teacher about character motivation. He continued studying theater throughout his youth and later graduated from Yale University with a degree in history.
About Edward Norton
Edward Harrison Norton is an American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter. After graduating from Yale College in 1991 with a degree in history, he worked for a few months in Japan before moving to New York City to pursue an acting career.
Edward Norton Achievements
His powerful performance as a reformed neo-Nazi in American History X (1998) brought him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and his role in Fight Club (1999) helped establish a lasting cult following. In 2003, Norton founded the production company Class 5 Films and has since directed and produced films such as Keeping the Faith (2000), Down in the Valley (2005), and The Painted Veil (2006). He continued to earn acclaim for performances in films like The Score (2001).
Edward Norton Wiki
- Born: 18 August 1969 (age 55 years), Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Spouse: Shauna Robertson (m. 2012)
- Nominations: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role ·
- Height: 1.83 m
- Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture ·
Early Life
Edward Harrison Norton was born on August 18, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Columbia, Maryland. His father, Edward Mower Norton Jr., was a Marine lieutenant in the Vietnam War before transitioning into a career as an environmental lawyer and conservation advocate, working in Asia and later serving as a federal prosecutor during the Carter administration. His mother, Lydia Robinson “Robin” (née Rouse), was an English teacher who passed away in 1997 following surgery to remove a brain tumor. Norton’s maternal grandfather, James Rouse, was a prominent real estate developer, known for founding The Rouse Company and co-founding Enterprise Community Partners.
He has two younger siblings, Molly and James. Norton’s passion for acting began at the age of five after he attended a Cinderella-themed musical at the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (CCTA), in which his babysitter performed. This experience sparked his early fascination with theater. Although he enjoyed watching films with his father during his childhood, Norton later noted that it was the visual storytelling.
How Did Edward Norton Become Famous?
Edward Norton began his acting journey in New York theater during the early 1990s. His big break came when a casting director noticed him and cast him in Primal Fear (1996), a legal thriller opposite Richard Gere. The role instantly catapulted Norton into the spotlight, earning him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actor. He followed up with strong performances in Everyone Says I Love You (1996), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), and Rounders (1998). However, it was his gripping portrayal of a reformed neo-Nazi in American History X (1998) that brought him critical acclaim and his second Oscar nomination.
He went on to deliver memorable performances in Fight Club (1999), Red Dragon (2002), The Italian Job (2003), and Kingdom of Heaven (2005). Norton later took on the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in The Incredible Hulk (2008), replacing Eric Bana. Although the film was part of the early Marvel Cinematic Universe, Norton did not reprise the role in The Avengers (2012), with Mark Ruffalo taking over.
How Much Did Edward Norton Earn for American History X?
According to the Los Angeles Times, Norton earned less than $500,000 for American History X. Despite his rising stardom, he accepted significantly less than his usual $1 million fee at the time, drawn to the powerful and challenging role.
How Much Did Edward Norton Make for Fight Club?
Norton earned $2.5 million for Fight Club (1999), while his co-star Brad Pitt was paid $17.5 million—highlighting the pay gap between the two, despite Norton’s critical success.
How Much Did Edward Norton Make for The Italian Job?
For The Italian Job (2003), Norton received $1 million, a figure lower than his typical rate at the time. He took the role to fulfill a contractual obligation with Paramount Pictures.
How Much Did Edward Norton Make for Red Dragon?
Norton’s payday for Red Dragon (2002) was estimated at $6.5 million, while Anthony Hopkins reportedly earned at least $8 million for reprising his iconic role as Hannibal Lecter.
How Much Did Edward Norton Make for Moonrise Kingdom?
Norton made around $4,200 for Moonrise Kingdom (2012), working for the Screen Actors Guild’s weekly rate. The cast and crew lived communally during production, and Norton has joked that roles like this are why he takes on commercial work.
How Much Did Edward Norton Make for The Incredible Hulk?
While exact numbers haven’t been disclosed, given the film’s $150 million budget, Norton likely earned a seven-figure salary for The Incredible Hulk (2008). Despite the opportunity to continue in the Marvel franchise, creative differences led him to part ways, leaving potential millions behind.
How Much Did Edward Norton Make for Glass Onion?
With a modest production budget of $40 million, Norton likely took a reduced fee for his role in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), as many of the film’s stars reportedly accepted lower salaries to work on the project.
What Does Edward Norton Make Per Movie?
Norton doesn’t follow a fixed per-film fee. While he’s been known to command upwards of $10 million for major studio projects, he often accepts significantly lower pay for roles that creatively inspire him.
What Is Edward Norton’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Edward Norton’s estimated net worth is around $300 million. Beyond his successful acting career, Norton is also a savvy investor. He was an early backer of Uber, co-founded the fundraising platform CrowdWise (later acquired by GoFundMe) with his wife, and helped launch the TV analytics company EDO. He has also lent his image to ad campaigns for major brands such as Hotels.com and Verizon.
FAQs
How did Edward Norton get so rich?
This fortune has been accumulated through his extensive career in film, his ventures in the tech world, and his personal business investments. Norton’s wealth is not just a reflection of his acting career but also his strategic investments and involvement in a variety of industries outside of Hollywood.
Is Edward Norton an heir?
Edward Norton: Hollywood star Edward Norton, known for his roles in blockbuster films, is the heir to the real estate empire, The Rouse Company, founded by his grandfather, James Rouse.
How many Oscars has Edward Norton won?
The 55-year-old was previously up for Best Supporting Actor on two occasions, for “Primal Fear” (1997) and “Birdman” (2015), and also for Best Actor for “American History X” (1999). Norton, however, has yet to take home a statuette.
Does Edward Norton have a high IQ?
Matching his reported IQ score of 147, Edward Norton studied history at Yale and is fluent in Japanese.
Which Hulk is Edward Norton?
Edward Harrison Norton portrayed Bruce Banner/Hulk in The Incredible Hulk. He also rewrote a script for The Incredible Hulk. he voiced an alternate Bruce Banner/Hulk in The Incredible Hulk. He was replaced by Mark Ruffalo from The Avengers onward.