What was Roy Scheider’s Net Worth?
Roy Scheider, the American actor, had a net worth of $30 million at the time of his death in 2008. Over half of his net worth, approximately $19 million, came from the sale of his Hamptons mansion to Billy Joel in 2007. Scheider was best known for his performances in films such as “Jaws,” “The French Connection,” “Marathon Man,” and “All That Jazz,” as well as his role in the television series “seaQuest DSV.” Before acting, Scheider was an amateur boxer.
Roy Scheider’s Early Life and Education
Roy Scheider was born in Orange, NJ on November 10, 1932 to Roy Sr. and Anna. He attended Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ, where he was involved in baseball and boxing. Scheider graduated in 1950 and went on to study drama at Rutgers University and Franklin & Marshall College. He also boxed as an amateur during his high school years, achieving an 8-1 record with six knockouts. After college, Scheider served in the US Air Force for three years as a first lieutenant.
Roy Scheider’s Career Highlights
Roy Scheider made his film debut in 1964 with “The Curse of the Living Corpse” and subsequently appeared in “Stiletto,” “Loving,” and “Puzzle of a Downfall Child.” His breakthrough came in 1971 with roles in “Klute” and “The French Connection,” earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Scheider went on to star in “The Seven-Ups” and “Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York” before his famous role as Chief Martin Brody in Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” in 1975.
Scheider continued his career with leading roles in “Marathon Man,” “Sorcerer,” and “Jaws 2.” He earned another Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of a fictionalized version of Bob Fosse in “All That Jazz” in 1979.
Roy Scheider’s Film Career
Roy Scheider began his 80s film career with a role in Robert Benton’s psychological thriller “Still of the Night,” co-starring Meryl Streep. He then starred in various films such as the action thriller “Blue Thunder” and the science-fiction sequel “2010: The Year We Make Contact.” Scheider narrated Paul Schrader’s biographical drama “Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters” in 1985.
Throughout the 90s, Scheider appeared in films such as “Naked Lunch,” “Romeo is Bleeding,” “The Peacekeeper,” and “The Rainmaker.” In the new millennium, he starred in “Chain of Command,” “Falling Through,” “The Doorway,” and “Daybreak.”
Other notable credits in Scheider’s film career include “The Punisher,” “The Poet,” “If I Didn’t Care,” and the animated documentary “Chicago 10.” Scheider’s final film role was in the British thriller “Iron Cross,” which was released posthumously in 2009.
Television Career of Roy Scheider
Roy Scheider started his television career with a role in the anthology series “Camera Three” in 1964. He went on to appear in several episodes of “Love of Life” and the television film “Lamp at Midnight.” Scheider mostly appeared in television films during the 70s, 80s, and 90s, with notable credits including “Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number,” “Tiger Town,” and “RKO 281.”
Scheider did have a regular role on the science-fiction series “seaQuest DSV,” playing Captain Nathan Bridger for the first two seasons. In the 2000s, he had recurring roles on “Third Watch” and appeared in an episode of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and two episodes of “Family Guy.”
Marriages and Children
Roy Scheider married Cynthia Bebout in 1962 and had a daughter named Maximillia. The couple divorced in 1986. Three years later, Scheider married actress Brenda Siemer, and they had a son named Christian and an adopted daughter named Molly.
Health and Death
In 2004, Scheider was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent a bone marrow transplant the following year. Unfortunately, he passed away in early 2008 at the age of 75.
Roy Scheider’s Sagaponack Home: A Beachfront Oasis
In 1994, the late actor Roy Scheider built a stunning 5,500 square foot home on 1.5 acres of oceanfront property in Sagaponack. The five-bedroom home boasted breathtaking 360-degree views, four fireplaces, and two outdoor showers.
After enjoying the beachfront oasis for over a decade, Scheider put the home on the market in April 2006 for $20 million. A year later, singer Billy Joel swooped in and purchased the property for $18.75 million.
Joel, who also owns homes in Miami and Oyster Bay, held onto the Sagaponack property for eight years before ultimately selling it in 2014 for $19 million.
