14 millionaire actors who don’t show off their money
The era of celebrities having extravagant celebrations is perhaps over. Since the 2007 crisis and the nonstop reporting on the situation of migrants, it seems that some celeberities have revised their lifestyles. They are more aware of their fans’ realities, because there are fewer external signs of wealth among actors, who now prefer to show off their charitable foundations rather than their wealth.
Is it a true desire for a simpler life, the need to blend in with the crowd, or a publicity stunt? Judge for yourself...
1. Jennifer Lawrence
The world's highest-paid actress since The Hunger Games, who has the reputation of being more authentic than other stars, seems to aspire to living a normal life. She drives a Volkswagen Eos, watches for sales, uses coupons for her purchases, and hasn’t bought a house yet. In addition, there is a unit in the children's hospital in her hometown of Louisville that bears her name, to which she donated $2 million. She is also very concerned about abused children. She’s an actress who tries to keep her feet on the ground despite the $110 million she has.
2. Keanu Reeves
This actor, known for taking the New York subway and living in hotels without even owning a computer, tells anyone who wants to hear it that money doesn’t mean anything to him. Although he was successful in The Matrix, he also accepts roles in low budget films, and he doesn’t hesitate to work for less so that the production can afford an actor or a team of costumers that interest him. Like all actors, he has also created his own foundation and regularly donates some of his 350 million dollars, but he also gave motorcycles to 12 of the stuntmen on one of his films. He seems to aspire to a simple life, separated from the surrounding materialism.
3. Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker hasn’t always been in the multimillionaire category. In fact, her family relied on government assistance to get by when she was a child. Perhaps this is where her strange relationship with money comes from: on the one hand, paying attention to her expenses, sewing all of her children’s clothes, and buying second-hand clothing, while on the other hand dressing up with all the luxury of Carrie Bradshaw (her character from “Sex and the City”). She lives in fear of becoming poor again, but she also knows how to give, as she did to a school for music and the arts.
4. Kate Middleton
Although a commoner, the Duchess of Cambridge was far from poor before marrying Prince William. Today, although her fortune has increased, she still likes to wear chic but cheap clothes (the outfit above on the left cost about $50 at Zara), and is dedicated to charities such as "Heads Together,” which acts for the psychological health of young people, veterans, and the homeless. A princess with feet on the ground, just as Lady Di would have liked.
5. Vincent Kartheiser
This actor from the TV show “Mad Men” knows the value of work and money, since he started working regularly for advertising starting when he was just 6 years old. But after the success of his series he needed to get rid of his possessions that were weighing him down, giving them here and there. Today, he refuses to buy a car, lives in a normal-sized house, and uses public transportation.
6. Christian Bale
The actor who declared a few years ago "if a robber broke into my house, he would burst into tears" is now better off: a mansion, cars, boats, and $80 million. But he doesn’t seem very attached to luxury – he even continued to live in a one-bedroom apartment after his first big success. Like many others, he sometimes pays his royalties to charities, like when he filmed The Promise.
7. Leonardo DiCaprio
This very committed actor, who struggled to get rid of his Toyota Prius even after earning his first million, gives a lot in donations. He created his own foundation and transferred $15 million to fund 30 different charity projects, mostly related to the environment.
8. Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Garner tries hard to make a normal life for her children despite her career and fortune, which amounts to $40 million. She goes shopping in farmers markets, has conversatons with vendors, goes to malls, and takes care of her family. She has also worked for 10 years with a foundation that deals with protecting children's rights and education.
9. Keira Knightley
It was probably at the release of her film New York Melody (in which she played a broke singer) that rumors started that Keira Knightley was limited to a budget of $4500 per month for her expenses. The star has denied it, but she is one of those who think that money drags you down, and she sells her evening gowns to benefit certain charities.
10. Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe has rejected Hollywood mansions so he can hide out on an Australian ranch, where he lives happily with his family, his horses, a jeep, and the scenery. He doesn’t live a luxurious life surrounded by celebrities, but that doesn’t prevent him from sharing his fortune, like with a Jewish school in Montreal for example, which was victimized by a terrorist attack in 2004.
11. Hayden Christensen
At the age of 35, after experiencing fame in Star Wars, this young actor decided to go back to the great outdoors and buy a farm. He is happy growing his own vegetables and taking care of his land with his tractor. To help the environment, he uses solar energy throughout his farm.
12. Reese Witherspoon
Even though she hides her fortunes from her children (because she doesn’t want them raised as rich kids), Reese Witherspoon is not ashamed of the $80 million she earned while working. She prefers to put it aside rather than spend it, that's all.
13. Jessica Alba
It wouldn’t seem like this frail girl would do her shopping in the supermarket and use the subway, and that she not only has a successful acting career but also a billion dollar company that sells green products – The Honest Company, which she created herself and led the marketing for, has earned her a place on the Forbes list of the richest "self-made women" in the United States. This doesn’t prevent her from ironing all of her children’s clothes herself...
14. Quentin Tarantino
One of the richest directors in the world can collect successful movies, but not cars! The little red Chevrolet Malibu that Travolta was driving in Pulp Fiction was actually Tarantino's, which he later replaced with a Geo Metro. No luxurious racing car for him!
Photo credits: rexfeatures, eastnews
By Straker Julia
Writer
Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!
