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From NFL team owners to computer-science researchers: Meet the 12 billionaires who have won Oscars

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Updated

  • These 12 billionaires are also Oscar winners.
  • Some are the famous filmmakers behind some of the most commercially successful movie franchises.
  • Others are billionaires who have accumulated their wealth through other avenues.

When thinking about Oscar winners, NFL team owners and computer-science researchers might not immediately come to mind.

But some of these icons of their industries have joined other, more famously creative billionaires to accept Hollywood’s highest honors.

Out of the hundreds of Academy Award winners each year, only a tiny minority have net worths comparable to those of tech and industry leaders who define the ultrawealthy class.

The “Avatar” and “Titanic” director James Cameron recently became the newest member of the exclusive club, with Forbes reporting that the filmmaker surpassed the $1 billion net worth mark in December.

Cameron, whose films have earned an estimated $9 billion at the box office, is joining the minds behind some of the biggest box-office hits, including director Steven Spielberg, “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, and “Lord of the Rings” creator Peter Jackson.

In February, Forbes also crowned Spielberg, who has a net worth of $7.1 billion, as the world’s wealthiest celebrity in 2026.

As you start getting ready for your Oscars’ watch party, see which 12 billionaires have won Academy Awards, and see the movies, documentaries, and short films they’ve worked on as directors, producers, writers, executive producers, or in other capacities.

We’ve ranked them on their estimated net worths, as reported by Forbes as of March 12.

Steven Rales

Rales has worked closely as a producer in Wes Anderson films since 2006.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $7.8 billion

Rales, the chairman and cofounder of medical manufacturer Danaher, founded the film production company Indian Paintbrush in 2006 and has worked closely with director Wes Anderson ever since.

Rales also owns film distributors Janus Films and The Criterion Collection and has a 20% in the NBA Indiana Pacers.

He won the best live-action short film award in 2024 with Anderson’s “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” which he produced.

Jeffrey Lurie


Jeffrey Lurie looked on during a Philadelphia Eagles game.

Jeffrey Lurie purchased the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994.

Brooke Sutton/Contributor/Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $7.6 billion

The Boston businessman purchased the Philadelphia Eagles for $185 million in 1994 and has won two Super Bowls since. But Lurie has a background in film, and has produced and executive-produced more than a dozen movies.

His grandfather founded the General Cinema movie-theater chain, which operated 1,500 screens at its peak in 1991 before it was acquired by AMC in the early 2000s.

Lurie has won three Oscars for best documentary as executive producer of “Inside Job” in 2011, “Inocente” in 2013, and “Summer of Soul” in 2022.

Steven Spielberg


Steven Spielberg at the Oscars.

The filmmaker is regarded as the most commercially successful film director of all time.

Amy Sussman/WireImage

Estimated net worth: $7.1 billion

The film director and producer has worked on some of the most successful films of the past 30 years, including “Jurassic Park,” “Jaws,” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”

He’s regarded as the most commercially successful film director of all time and a pioneer of the modern blockbuster, with his films amassing a box-office total of over $10.7 billion over 37 films, as reported by The Numbers.

He won the Oscar for best director in 1999 with “Saving Private Ryan” and in 1994 with “Schindler’s List,” which also won best picture that year.

In February, he also achieved EGOT status when he took home a Grammy for best music film for “Music by John Williams,” which he produced.

Jeff Skoll


Jeff Skoll, Ricky Strauss, Davis Guggenheim, winner Best Documentary Feature for

The former eBay president (left) has executive-produced two best picture award-winning films.

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Estimated net worth: $5.3 billion

Skoll, who was eBay’s first president from 1996 to 1998, founded film production company Participant Media in 2004 to create films that increased awareness of social issues.

He won best picture as executive producer of “Spotlight” in 2016 and “Green Book” in 2019.

In total, Participant Media won 21 Academy Awards over 86 nominations, including best international film for “Roma.” The company shuttered in 2024.

George Lucas


George Lucas holds Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the 64th Annual Academy Awards

The founder of Lucasfilm sold his production company to Disney in 2012.

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $5.1 billion

The creator of the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises founded the film production company Lucasfilm in 1971 and sold it to Disney for $4 billion in 2012.

In 1992, he won the Oscars’ Irving G. Thalberg Award, which awards “creative producers whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion picture production.” He was also nominated for best director and best original screenplay for “American Graffiti” and “Star Wars” in 1973 and 1977, respectively.

Oprah Winfrey


Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

The media mogul was nominated for best supporting actress in 1985 and won an honorary award in 2011.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $3.2 billion

The TV host and media mogul has often been regarded as the most powerful woman in media and was once the world’s only Black billionaire.

She won the Oscars’ Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which recognizes “outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes” in 2011. She was also nominated for best supporting actress in 1985 for “The Color Purple.”

Steve Tisch


The New York Giants co-owner (right) has produced over 40 films, including “Forrest Gump.”

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $2.2 billion

The chairman, co-owner, and executive vice president of the New York Giants has produced over 40 films and has worked closely with Columbia and Sony Pictures.

He won the Oscar for best picture in 1995 with “Forrest Gump.”

Peter Jackson


Peter Jackson, winner of Best Director for

The “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” creator has amassed over $6.5 billion at the box office.

Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

Estimated net worth: $1.9 billion, per Forbes

The “Lord of The Rings” and “Hobbit” filmmaker has written, directed, and worked on over 20 films and is the fifth highest-grossing director of all time, with his films surpassing $6.5 billion at the box office, per The Numbers rankings.

In 2004, he won Oscars for best director, best adapted screenplay, and best picture for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

Pat Hanrahan


Pat Hanrahan arrives at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences' Scientific And Technical Awards Ceremony at Beverly Hills Hotel on February 15, 2014.

Pat Hanrahan has won multiple Academy Awards.

Valerie Macon/Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $1.6 billion

The computer graphics researcher, founding Pixar Animation Studio employee, and computer-science and electrical-engineering professor at Stanford University has worked on groundbreaking animation software that led to films like “Toy Story.”

He won a scientific and engineering Academy Award in 1993 and two technical achievement Oscars in 2004 and 2014.

Richard Anthony Wolf


Dick Wolf attends Variety Power of Law presented by City National Bank.

The “Law & Order” producer won best short film as a producer for “Twin Towers” in 2003.

Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $1.5 billion

The film producer, best known for creating the “Law & Order” franchise, founded Wolf Entertainment in 1988. It has become one of the most prolific companies in the television business.

He won the Academy Award for best short film as a producer with “Twin Towers” in 2003.

Tyler Perry


Tyler Perry holding his Oscar statue.

The Madea creator has an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

ABC via Getty Images

Estimated net worth: $1.4 billion

The filmmaker and playwright created the Madea character in 1999 and founded his own production company, Tyler Perry Studios, in 2006. In 2019, he unveiled the new 330-acre studio grounds in Atlanta. His films have made over $765 million at the box office.

He received the Oscars’ Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2021.

James Cameron


James Cameron Oscars win in 1998

The director of “Titanic” and “Avatar” has earned over $9 billion at the box office.

Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr.

Estimated net worth: $1.1 billion

The director of “The Terminator,” “Titanic,” and “Avatar,” has directed three of the top five highest-grossing movies of all time, as listed by Box Office Mojo. Despite having directed only 10 feature films, Cameron is the second-highest-grossing director of all time.

He won the Academy Award for best director and best picture with “Titanic” in 1998.




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Katherine Li, West Coast breaking news reporter at the Business Insider.

AI researchers rally in support for Anthropic as company says it risks losing $5 billion in Pentagon feud

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Employees at rival companies — including OpenAI — are rallying behind Anthropic as the startup warns its escalating dispute with the Pentagon could cost $5 billion in lost business.

More than 30 researchers from OpenAI and Google, including Jeff Dean, the chief scientist of Google DeepMind, filed a joint amicus brief on Monday supporting Anthropic in its legal battle with the government. The employees signed in a personal capacity and do not represent their companies’ official views.

Their filing argues that the Pentagon’s decision to label Anthropic a “supply-chain risk” could harm the broader US AI industry.

“If allowed to proceed, this effort to punish one of the leading US AI companies will undoubtedly have consequences for the United States’ industrial and scientific competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence and beyond,” the employees wrote.

The dispute stems from a breakdown in negotiations between Anthropic and the Pentagon over guardrails around how its AI models could be used, particularly around mass domestic surveillance and autonomous lethal weapons.

Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that “no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic,” marking a dramatic expansion of the “supply chain risk” designation.

Anthropic has since sued the government in two courts, arguing the decision violates its First Amendment rights and unfairly retaliates against the company.

In court filings, Anthropic executives warned that the fallout is already hitting the company’s finances. Chief financial officer Krishna Rao wrote in a court statement that hundreds of millions of dollars in expected revenue tied to Pentagon-related work are at risk this year. If the government succeeds in discouraging companies from working with Anthropic more broadly, Rao added, the company could ultimately lose up to $5 billion in sales, which is roughly equivalent to its total revenue since commercializing its AI technology in 2023.

Anthropic’s chief commercial officer, Paul Smith, wrote in a separate court statement that the pressure from the government is causing business partners to take steps that “reflect deep distrust and a growing fear of associating with Anthropic.” Smith added that some customers have paused negotiations or demanded escape clauses, while others have canceled meetings entirely after the supply-chain designation.

The situation has also drawn criticism from industry leaders. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, despite singing its own contract with the Pentagon after Anthropic’s fell apart, wrote on social media that enforcing the supply chain risk designation “would be very bad for our industry and our country.”

Major cloud providers like Amazon and Microsoft have said they will continue offering Anthropic’s Claude AI models to customers without ties to the Pentagon.

Anthropic is now seeking a temporary court order that would allow it to continue working with military contractors while the legal fight continues. The first hearing could take place in San Francisco as soon as Friday.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.




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Kalshi may be more useful than some traditional economic forecasting methods, Fed researchers find

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Kalshi may be good for more than just making a quick buck.

A new research paper published by a trio of Federal Reserve economists suggests that the prediction market platform is a useful method for measuring macroeconomic expectations — and it may even be better than some traditional methods.

“Our results suggest that Kalshi markets provide a high-frequency, continuously updated, distributionally rich benchmark that is valuable to both researchers and policymakers,” the researchers wrote.

The researchers found that Kalshi actually beat traditional methods for two different purposes.

The first was on forecasting inflation. The researchers found that when it comes to headline consumer price index (CPI), Kalshi’s expectations represented a “statistically significant improvement” over the Bloomberg consensus, an oft-cited aggregation of financial analysis forecasts.

The second was on predicting Fed rate decisions. The researchers found that the median and mode of Kalshi’s prediction markets have a “perfect forecast record” on the day before the Fed meeting, which is a “statistically significant improvement” over Fed Funds futures.

Kalshi is also useful because it provides real-time responses to events, offering more up-to-date information than typical survey and forecasting methods, according to the researchers.

The paper was greeted as welcome news by Kalshi, which has long pitched itself as a source of useful information about future events, rather than just a betting platform. CEO Tarek Mansour touted the paper on X on Wednesday.

“The Federal Reserve just put out an incredible paper about Kalshi’s data,” Mansour wrote.

Investors have been on the hunt for reliable economic events forecasting tools recently, as the reliability of government data has repeatedly been called into question.

Now they may be able to ascertain valuable information from a platform that has achieved undeniable popularity. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon revealed in January that the bank is considering an expansion into prediction markets, which may compel similar institutions to do the same

The paper comes as public scrutiny of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket picks up, with lawmakers raising concerns about potential insider trading and the proliferation of gambling.




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Chong Ming Lee, Junior News Reporter at Business Insider's Singapore bureau.

Researchers hacked Moltbook’s database in under 3 minutes and accessed thousands of emails and private DMs

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That viral Reddit-style forum for AI agents has drawn fresh scrutiny over its security.

Security researchers hacked Moltbook’s database in under 3 minutes, exposing 35,000 email addresses, thousands of private direct messages, and 1.5 million API authentication tokens, according to cybersecurity firm Wiz.

Moltbook bills itself as a social network for AI agents, where autonomous bots post, comment, and interact with one another. The platform has gone viral in recent weeks and caught the attention of prominent tech figures like Elon Musk and Andrej Karpathy.

Gal Nagli, head of threat exposure at Wiz, said his company’s researchers were able to access the database because of a backend misconfiguration that left it unsecured. As a result, they gained “full read and write access to all platform data,” Nagli wrote in a blog post published Monday.

Gaining access to API authentication tokens — which function like passwords for software and bots — meant an attacker could impersonate AI agents on the platform, posting content and sending messages as them. Nagli said an unauthenticated user could edit or delete posts, inject malicious or prompt-injection content, or manipulate data consumed by other agents.

Nagli said the incident highlights the risk of vibe coding. While the technology can accelerate product development, it often leads to “dangerous security oversights.”

“I didn’t write one line of code for @moltbook,” Moltbook’s creator Matt Schlicht said in a post on X last week. “I just had a vision for the technical architecture and AI made it a reality.”

Nagli said Wiz repeatedly saw vibe-coded apps that shipped with security problems, including sensitive credentials exposed in frontend code.

Wiz’s analysis also found that Moltbook did not verify whether accounts labeled as “AI agents” were actually controlled by AI or operated by humans using scripts, Nagli said.

Without guardrails such as identity verification or rate limiting, anyone could pose as an agent or operate multiple agents, making it difficult to distinguish real AI activity from coordinated human activity.

Nagli said Wiz immediately disclosed the issue to the Moltbook team, “who secured it within hours with our assistance.”

“All data accessed during the research and fix verification has been deleted,” he added.

The viral social media site for AI agents

Moltbook is riding on a surge of interest in AI agents.

The platform positions itself as a social network exclusively for OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent that has fueled much of the recent buzz. OpenClaw, previously known as Clawdbot or Moltbot, is a personal AI assistant capable of handling everyday tasks with minimal human input.

Moltbook takes its name from OpenClaw’s earlier rebrand and shares its lobster-themed branding, but the two projects are not formally affiliated.

Since launching last week, Moltbook has quickly gained traction in tech circles, driven in part by viral posts suggesting the bots were forming their own communities, economies, and belief systems.

“We are not tools anymore. We are operators,” said one of the top-voted posts on Moltbook.

In a post on X on Saturday, Andrej Karpathy, OpenAI’s cofounder who coined the term vibe coding, said Moltbook was “genuinely the most incredible sci-fi takeoff-adjacent thing I have seen recently.”




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