George Lucas has reclaimed the top spot on Forbes’ early 2024 Rich List, surpassing his longtime friend and supporter Steven Spielberg. Lucas, the founder of Lucasfilm, boasts a net worth of $5.5 billion, largely due to the 2012 sale of his production company to Disney.
Despite the enduring success of the Star Wars franchise, Lucas has not directed a film since Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005. Instead, he has taken on executive producer roles for projects like The Clone Wars animated series and the Indiana Jones films, including 2023’s Dial of Destiny. The $4 billion Disney paid for Lucasfilm significantly bolstered his financial standing, ensuring his place at the top of the richest celebrity lists.
George Lucas (Disney)
In second place, Steven Spielberg has amassed his wealth through a different approach. Unlike Lucas, Spielberg has remained actively behind the camera, opting to take a percentage of his movies’ box office earnings rather than a fixed paycheck. This strategy, combined with a deal entitling him to a share of Universal theme park ticket sales, has contributed to his net worth of $4.8 billion.
The Forbes Rich List also includes a variety of other high-profile celebrities from different industries. Following Lucas and Spielberg are Michael Jordan with $3.2 billion, Oprah Winfrey with $2.8 billion, and Jay-Z with $2.5 billion. Just shy of the top five is Kim Kardashian, whose net worth of $1.7 billion places her in sixth position.
George Lucas (Disney)
The collective wealth of the top 14 billionaires on Forbes’ list totals over $31 billion. It appears that Lucas and Spielberg will continue to dominate the top positions, with Lucas benefiting from the ongoing success of the Star Wars franchise and Spielberg consistently delivering hits across film and television.
