Anthony Edwards, best known for his iconic role as Dr. Mark Greene on NBC’s long-running medical drama ER, has spent decades building not just a powerful acting résumé, but a sizable fortune as well. As of 2025, Anthony Edwards’ net worth is estimated at $40 million, thanks to a combination of television success, film roles, real estate investments, and directing projects.
Early Life and Foundation in the Arts
Born on July 19, 1962, in Santa Barbara, California, Anthony Charles Edwards was raised in an Irish-American family that valued creativity and design. His father was an architect, while his mother was an artist, which provided Anthony with a well-rounded, art-focused upbringing.
Encouraged to pursue higher education before jumping into acting full-time, Edwards studied theater at the University of Southern California. He later received a scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in England. However, by age 19, he left college as acting opportunities began coming his way.
Breakthrough in Film: The 1980s
Edwards made his early mark with small TV roles, including a part on It Takes Two, before debuting in film with a cameo in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. His breakout came in 1984 when he starred as Gilbert in the cult hit Revenge of the Nerds. He returned briefly for the 1987 sequel, though his appearance was limited.
In 1986, Edwards landed what would become a legendary role—Goose in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise. Despite Goose’s tragic death in the film, the role catapulted Edwards to international stardom. Top Gun, made on a modest $15 million budget, grossed over $356 million globally.
Dominating Prime Time: ER and Massive Salaries
Though film gave him fame, it was television that brought Anthony Edwards serious financial success. In 1994, he joined the cast of ER as Dr. Mark Greene, the calm and compassionate lead doctor at County General Hospital. For eight seasons, Edwards appeared in 181 episodes, anchoring the show through some of its most acclaimed years.
By the late ’90s, as co-stars like George Clooney moved on, NBC made Edwards an offer he couldn’t refuse. In 1999, he signed a three-year, $35 million deal to stay with ER. This contract translated to approximately $530,000 per episode, making him the highest-paid television actor at the time—well ahead of contemporaries like Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle, who earned $400,000 per episode under similar deals. Adjusted for inflation, that contract is worth around $55 million today.
During his time on ER, Edwards won a Golden Globe, earned six Screen Actors Guild Awards, and received four Emmy nominations—solidifying his legacy in television history.
Beyond ER: Film, Voice Acting, and Directing
After leaving ER in 2002, Edwards explored directing and returned to film. One of his most praised roles came in David Fincher’s 2007 thriller Zodiac, where he played Inspector Bill Armstrong.
He later lent his voice to Disney’s animated film Planes in 2013 and starred in the short-lived 2013 ABC drama Zero Hour. While not all of his later projects found commercial success—like the box office flop Motherhood, which famously grossed just £88 on its opening weekend in the UK—Edwards remained a respected figure in both film and television circles.
Advocacy and Personal Struggles
In 2017, Edwards publicly shared a difficult chapter of his past. In an emotional Medium essay, he accused producer Gary Goddard of sexually abusing him and several friends beginning when he was just 12 years old. In the years since, Edwards has taken a proactive role in survivor advocacy, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for 1in6, an organization that supports men who have experienced unwanted or abusive sexual experiences.
Real Estate Portfolio and Investments
Edwards’ financial acumen extends beyond acting. Over the years, he has bought and sold several luxury properties:
- In 1998, he and then-wife Jeanine Lobell purchased an oceanfront home in Capistrano Beach, California, for $2 million and spent an additional $500,000 on renovations. That home was listed for $6.5 million in 2023.
- In 2015, Edwards bought a duplex penthouse in New York’s Carnegie Hill for $8.52 million. He listed the property in 2020 for $7.65 million but ultimately sold it at a significant loss for $6.5 million.
- In 2021, shortly before his second marriage, Edwards bought a $2.7 million Fifth Avenue apartment in New York City.
These transactions have helped diversify his portfolio, although not all resulted in profit.
Marriage and Current Life
After a previous marriage to Jeanine Lobell, with whom he shares four children, Edwards found love again with actress Mare Winningham. The two, long-time friends and collaborators, married in 2021. Winningham is known for roles in St. Elmo’s Fire, Turner & Hooch, and multiple appearances in American Horror Story.
Now in his early sixties, Anthony enjoys a quieter lifestyle but continues to work selectively in both acting and philanthropy.