From the adrenaline-pumping action sequences of the ’80s and ’90s to the quiet, strategic world of real estate, some of Hollywood’s biggest action heroes were as savvy off-screen as they were on. While captivating audiences with their on-screen exploits, these stars were also building impressive property portfolios, showcasing a knack for investment that rivaled their blockbuster earnings. Let’s take a look at some of these silver screen icons and their secret real estate empires.
Real Estate Portfolios of Action Legends
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone, known for his iconic roles in films like *Rocky* and *Rambo*, became one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors from the mid-1980s to the late-1990s. With an estimated net worth of around $400 million, Stallone has made several impressive property moves over the years.
- In 1999, Stallone sold a home in Coconut Grove, Florida, for a reported $16.2 million.
- In 2010, Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin, purchased a vacation retreat in La Quinta, California, for $4.5 million. They sold this home in May 2020 for $3.1 million after several attempts since 2014.
- In 2020, Stallone acquired a waterfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, for $35.4 million. According to Realtor.com, the compound features seven bedrooms, 10.5 bathrooms, a large guesthouse, a cabana, a gym, wine storage, a library, and a family room with a wet bar. Outside, the property includes a pool and beachfront spa.
Stallone’s plans to build an underwater barrier near his Palm Beach mansion sparked controversy in 2023, which he later abandoned following backlash.
In May 2022, Stallone sold his Beverly Hills estate to singer Adele for $58 million, a significant drop from the initial $110 million asking price in January 2021. In February 2022, he purchased a 2.26-acre estate in Hidden Hills, California, for $18.2 million. However, this property faced scrutiny in August 2022 due to excessive water consumption, with the Stallones defending their usage by citing the need to maintain over 500 mature trees to prevent fire risk.
Less than a year after buying the Hidden Hills property, Stallone put it back on the market for $22.5 million in December 2022. He eventually sold it to musician John Fogerty in October 2023 for $17 million, resulting in a $1.2 million loss.
In a more recent purchase, Stallone bought a Hamptons compound for his daughters in an all-cash deal worth approximately $25 million in 2023. He personally inspected the mansion shortly before closing the deal, demonstrating his hands-on approach to his real estate investments.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the bodybuilding champion turned actor and former California governor, rose to fame in the ’80s and ’90s with hits like *Conan the Barbarian* and *The Terminator* franchise. He made his first million in real estate *before* his big break in *Conan the Barbarian*.
Schwarzenegger’s real estate journey began after he emigrated to the U.S. in 1968 at the age of 21. He saved $27,000 and borrowed $10,000 to make a down payment on a $215,000 apartment building with six units.
He took the best apartment for himself and rented out the others to actors he met at the gym to build connections in Hollywood while paying off his investment. A year later, he sold the building for $360,000, netting a $145,000 profit.
From there, Schwarzenegger expanded his portfolio, trading up to a 12-unit building, then a 36-unit building, and eventually a 100-unit building. By age 25, he was already a millionaire, built through real estate.
Today, Schwarzenegger owns a real estate portfolio made up of commercial properties primarily in Southern California, worth over $100 million (excluding his personal residences). He resides in a Brentwood estate purchased for $4.9 million in 2002.
As of 2024, Schwarzenegger’s net worth is estimated by Forbes to be around $450 million. His financial success stems not only from acting but also from savvy investments and entrepreneurial ventures.
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis, known for his iconic role as John McClane in the *Die Hard* series, has also built an impressive property portfolio. Over the decades, he amassed properties across the globe.
- In 1990, Willis and then-wife Demi Moore purchased a penthouse in Central Park’s San Remo building for $7 million and later acquired another apartment in the same building.
- Moore received the apartment in their divorce and sold it in 2017 for $45 million after initially listing it for $75 million in 2015.
- In 2014, Willis sold his former Beverly Hills mansion for $16.5 million.
In 2022, Willis retired from acting due to being diagnosed with aphasia. Following his diagnosis, Willis sold approximately $65 million worth of luxury properties to focus on family life in California, according to Page Six.
In December 2019, Willis and his wife, Emma Heming, sold their Westchester estate in New York for $7.66 million after reducing the asking price by $5.3 million, incurring a $4.34 million loss on the property they had bought for $12 million in 2014. Subsequently, they acquired a new mansion in Brentwood, California, for $9.8 million.
Additional real estate transactions include selling a Central Park West duplex for $17.75 million in 2018 and purchasing a smaller condo near Lincoln Center for about $7.9 million. Also in 2018, Willis sold his Sun Valley, Idaho, mountain house for $5.5 million, significantly less than the original asking price of $15 million. In 2019, Willis and Heming sold their Turks and Caicos compound for $27 million. In 2021, Willis also sold a plot of land for $6 million on the celebrity-loved island of Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos.
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford cemented his status as an action hero in iconic films such as *Star Wars* and *Indiana Jones*. Over the years, Ford has accumulated an impressive portfolio of properties.
- In 1983, Ford purchased an estate in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $1 million, selling it in 2012 for $8.2 million.
- Ford and his wife, Calista Flockhart, acquired a different Brentwood home in 2011 for $12.6 million, which has been their primary residence in LA.
- Property records indicate that Ford owns at least three other homes in LA.
- In 2001, Ford bought a four-bedroom penthouse in NYC’s Flatiron District for $5.3 million and listed it in 2010 for $16 million. It was sold in 2012 for $15 million.
The penthouse featured an elevator, 11 rooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a security system, a gym, an office, a library, and a private rooftop terrace with a wet bar and views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.
Ford purchased a ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in the 1980s and now primarily lives on the $13 million estate with Flockhart. Similar properties in the area are valued between $70 million and $250 million.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme, rose to fame with films like *Bloodsport*, *Universal Soldier*, and *Time Cop*. In 2012, Van Damme purchased a newly built mansion in Marina Del Rey, California, for $6 million, exceeding the asking price by $125,000. The six-bedroom house featured eight fireplaces, a billiard room, a home gym, an elevator, a rooftop garden, and a spa. The property also included fire pits, waterfalls, and a bike path.
Van Damme sold the house to rapper Ice Cube in 2016 for $7.25 million. He now primarily resides in Hong Kong, where he owns an apartment on the 75th floor of a luxury building.
Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal, became popular playing tough characters in the late ’80s and ’90s. He has owned several homes throughout his career. In the early 1990s, Seagal and then-wife Kelly LeBrock bought a 90-acre property in Los Olivos, California, for $2.8 million and purchased a neighboring 50-acre vineyard for $1.8 million. The couple sold the combined property in 1995 for $3.8 million, a year before their split.
In 2010, Seagal acquired a property in Scottsdale, Arizona, and custom-built a stone mansion. One of the home’s unique features was its bulletproof floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the desert and downtown Phoenix. Seagal listed the house in December 2012 for $4.25 million but sold it for $3.55 million in July 2021.
He also owns a ranch in Colorado and properties in the Mandeville Canyon section of Los Angeles and Louisiana, according to the New York Post. Additionally, Seagal reportedly bought a house outside of Moscow in 2018 after becoming a Russian citizen. He previously had difficulty selling his Tennessee estate in 2017, which he eventually sold at a loss.
Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris gained fame as an action star in films such as *The Way of the Dragon*, *Good Guys Wear Black*, and *Delta Force*. The martial artist and actor co-owned a Dallas home with his brother, Aaron. This was his residence during his time on *Walker, Texas Ranger*. It was listed for $1.2 million in 2013. The property features four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a theater, a weight room, and its own lake. A separate building on the estate served as a studio during the filming of *Walker, Texas Ranger*.
Chuck Norris and his family currently reside at Lone Wolf Ranch in Navasota, Texas, where they operate their water bottling company, CForce.
Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell began his career as a child actor before transitioning to leading roles in action films such as *Escape from New York* and *Big Trouble in Little China*. Over the years, Russell and his partner, Goldie Hawn, have made several real estate investments.
- In 1997, the couple bought a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan for $3.8 million.
- They purchased a house in Palm Desert, California, in 2003 for about $3.6 million.
- In 2011, the duo acquired a cliff-top home in the same area for $5.7 million.
Russell and Hawn’s property portfolio extends to Vancouver, Canada, and Brentwood, California. The couple also owns several vacation homes, including a lakefront property in Ontario, a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, and a $14.75 million Malibu oceanfront retreat. In 2019, Russell and Hawn sold a property in Pacific Palisades for $6.9 million. They currently live on a 72-acre ranch just outside of Aspen, Colorado.
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes is best known for his action films *Demolition Man*, *Rising Sun*, and the *Blade* trilogy. Between 1996 and 2004, Snipes earned approximately $37.9 million from various acting jobs, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Despite earning considerable income, Snipes squandered much of his wealth due to tax evasion, leading to the loss of several homes. In 2002, he purchased a mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, for $5.6 million. Within a few years, Snipes stopped paying the property tax bill, owing $70,000. He was forced to sell the home in 2014 for $3.5 million, resulting in a $2.1 million loss. According to the Irish Examiner, Snipes lost his Florida home to foreclosure in 2003, and his $5.6 million LA estate was put on the market at a reduced price.
Additionally, Snipes’ apartment in New York City was destroyed during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers.
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan gained Hollywood success in *Rumble in the Bronx* and the *Rush Hour* films. Over the years, Chan has invested in real estate across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the U.S. The *Shanghai Noon* actor owns an estate in Hong Kong and properties in Shanghai and Beverly Hills.
In 2020, Chan was compelled to put his Beijing apartments up for auction because of an ownership dispute. He had worked with Yujia Real Estate and paid $4.9 million for the apartments in 2006. However, the real estate company reportedly did not file the paperwork correctly. The property was valued at about $14.6 million, but it was auctioned in September, starting the bid at $10.5 million.
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson became a prominent action star through his roles in the *Mad Max* films and the *Lethal Weapon* series. Over the years, he has owned numerous properties in Malibu, Los Angeles, Costa Rica, Fiji, and throughout Australia.
- In 1994, Gibson purchased Old Mill Farm, a 75-acre estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, for $9 million. He sold the property in July 2007 for $40 million.
- In 2008, Gibson bought a hilltop Malibu mansion from David Duchovny and Tea Leoni for $11.5 million. He attempted to sell it multiple times, most recently in 2019 for $14.5 million.
- Photos taken in June 2024, reveal that Gibson has been in the process of rebuilding his Malibu mansion, which had been destroyed in the California wildfires of 2019.
In April 2007, Gibson paid $26 million for a 400-acre ranch in Costa Rica, which has been on the market several times with asking prices reaching up to $35 million. In December 2004, Gibson sold his Australian homestead for $1.825 million. Later that month, he paid $15 million for a private island in Fiji called Mago Island.
Explore the Real Estate Landscape of Costa Rica
Inspired by Mel Gibson’s investment in Costa Rica? Discover the beauty and potential of owning property in this tropical paradise. From stunning beachfront villas to secluded mountain retreats, Costa Rica offers a range of opportunities for real estate investment. Whether you’re looking for a vacation home, a retirement haven, or a lucrative investment, Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture have something for everyone.
