Joan Crawford Net Worth (Updated 2026).

Joan Crawford, born Lucille LeSueur, kicked off her career in the 1920s, a time when silent films were transitioning into “talkies.” She started as a dancer in traveling vaudeville shows, honing her stage presence and learning to captivate audiences. Her big break came when she was discovered by a talent scout from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer while working at a department store. This led to her first film role in 1925, marking the beginning of her rise to fame in Hollywood.

Crawford’s star power quickly ascended as she moved from bit parts to leading roles. She was known for her intense work ethic and dedication to her craft, often spending hours rehearsing lines and perfecting her performances. Her breakthrough came with the 1928 film “Our Dancing Daughters,” where she played a flapper, a role that capitalized on her vibrant energy and dance background. This film launched her into the limelight, and she became a prominent figure in Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Joan Crawford’s Current Net Worth (2025)

As of 2025, Joan Crawford’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. This figure takes into account her successful acting career, various business ventures, and investments.

Career

Joan Crawford, born Lucille Fay LeSueur, was an American actress known for her work in Hollywood’s Golden Age. She began her career in the 1920s, appearing in silent films. Crawford’s breakthrough came in the 1930s with films like “Grand Hotel” and “Mildred Pierce,” for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She continued acting until the late 1970s, with notable films including “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “Nightmare on Elm Street.”

Other Ventures

Crawford was not only an actress but also a businesswoman. She had her own production company, Crawford Productions, and was involved in various business ventures, including a cosmetics line and a line of home products. She also wrote two autobiographies, “A Portrait of Joan” and “My Way of Life.”

Assets

Joan Crawford’s assets included real estate, primarily her iconic Brentwood home where she lived for many years. She also owned a ranch in Nevada and had a significant art collection. Crawford was known for her love of luxury, owning expensive jewelry, furs, and designer clothing. Her personal archives, including scripts, letters, and photographs, are now housed at the University of Michigan.

Annual Income

Joan Crawford’s annual income varied throughout her career. In her peak years, she was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. Her peak annual income was estimated to be around $500,000 in the 1940s, which would be equivalent to approximately $7.5 million in 2021. After her retirement from acting, her income primarily came from her business ventures and residuals from her films.

Frequently Asked Questions about  Joan Crawford

Frequently Asked Questions: Joan Crawford Net Worth

1. What was Joan Crawford’s net worth?

Joan Crawford’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million at the time of her death in 1977.

2. How did Joan Crawford make her fortune?

Joan Crawford made her fortune through her successful acting career in Hollywood. She starred in numerous films throughout her career, including “Letty Lynton,” “Grand Hotel,” “Mildred Pierce,” and “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”. She also worked as a producer and had endorsement deals.

3. What were some of Joan Crawford’s most successful films?

Some of Joan Crawford’s most successful films include “Grand Hotel” (1932), “Mildred Pierce” (1945), “Possessed” (1947), and “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962). “Mildred Pierce” and “Baby Jane” earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress, with “Baby Jane” winning her the award.

4. Did Joan Crawford win any Oscars?

Yes, Joan Crawford won one Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” in 1963. She was also nominated for two other Oscars for her roles in “Mildred Pierce” and “Possessed”.

5. What was Joan Crawford’s salary for her films?

Joan Crawford’s salary varied throughout her career. In the 1940s, she was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, earning around $300,000 per film. Her salary for “Mildred Pierce” was $150,000, which is equivalent to approximately $2.5 million in today’s money.

6. Did Joan Crawford have any business ventures?

Yes, Joan Crawford had her own production company, Crawford Productions, which she founded in the late 1940s. She also had a line of home products, including towels and bed linens, in the 1960s.

7. What was Joan Crawford’s real name?

Joan Crawford’s real name was Lucille Fay LeSueur. She changed her name to Joan Crawford when she started her acting career in the 1920s.

8. How many times was Joan Crawford married?

Joan Crawford was married four times. Her husbands were Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Franchot Tone, Phillip Terry, and Alfred Steele.

9. Did Joan Crawford have any children?

Yes, Joan Crawford had four children. She adopted two girls, Christina and Cathy, with her third husband, Phillip Terry. She also had two children, Joan and Cindy, with her fourth husband, Alfred Steele.

10. What was Joan Crawford’s cause of death?

Joan Crawford died on May 10, 1977, at the age of 73. Her cause of death was heart failure, which was likely caused by her long history of alcohol abuse.