Michael Anthony Peña is a Chicago, Illinois-born American actor as well as a musician best known for his performances in several commercially successful Hollywood movies like “The Martian”, “Shooter”, “American Hustle” and more. Born on 13 January 1976, Pena is of Mexican descent. He has been actively entertaining us as an actor since 1994.
One of the most prominent actors in Hollywood, one may wonder how rich is Michael Pena as of today? As estimated by sources, Michael counts his net worth at an amount of $5 million in early 2016. Obviously, he has managed to amass his wealth by being involved in the entertainment sector of America as an actor. Being a part of numerous commercially successful Hollywood movies has most certainly earned significantly to add to his riches over the years.
Michael Pena Net Worth $5 Million
Raised in Chicago by Mexican migrant parents, Michael Pena started appearing in independent productions in 1994. However, his breakthrough performance didn’t come until he was cast in the Oscar-winning movie “Million Dollar Baby” alongside actress Hilary Swank and actor Morgan Freeman, in 2004. He was again noted for performing rather emotionally in the 2005 movie “Crash” which earned him fame and popularity in Hollywood as a critically acclaimed actor. His popularity as a serious actor grew more, as he appeared in Oliver Stone’s movie “World Trade Centre” in 2006 which was based on the events of the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Michael became a big name in Hollywood when he starred in the movie “American Hustle” in which he portrayed the role of Paco Hernandez. For his work in this Academy Award winning movie, Michael won the Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and several other awards along with actors Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Christian Bale among others. More recently, Pena has appeared in movies like “Fury”, “Ant-Man” and is currently working on upcoming movies “Collateral Beauty”, “War On Everyone” and more. Of course, being a part of these successful projects has paid very well to Michael Pena.
Apart from Hollywood movies, Michael Pena is also a well-known name on American television. He debuted with a small role in the television show “Pacific Blue” in 1996, and has worked in several television series including “Homicide: Life On The Street”, “Felicity”, “Roswell”, “American Family”, “NYPD Blue”, “ER” and more. He is however, best noted for his appearance in the Golden Globe Award winning series “The Shield” in the role of detective Armando Renta. More recently, he has appeared in TV series like “Chozen” and “Gracepoint”. His work in the television movie “Walkout” was critically acclaimed, and has earned several awards for the actor.
Regarding his personal life, the 40 years old actor has been married to Brie Shaffer since 2006. He enjoys singing and was a founder member of the alternative rock band Nico Vega which released a song entitled “Beast” which was ranked on Billboard. However, Pena is no longer a part of the band and enjoys his present days as a successful actor while his current net worth of $5 million caters to his daily life.
ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (2004), Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble(2013), Imagen Award for Best Actor - Television (2006), Imagen Award for Best Actor in Feature Film (2014),
Music Groups
Nico Vega
Nominations
Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast (2004), ALMA Award for Favorite Movie Actor (2011), ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor - Motion Picture (2006)
Movies
“World Trade Centre” (2006), “Crash” (2004), “Million Dollar Baby” (2004), "End of Watch" (2012), “The Martian” (2015), “Shooter”, “American Hustle” (2013)
I've always noticed that girls cry way easier than guys do.
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I used to tour with this band. I was a drummer. I would tour a bunch for about 10 months out of the year and act for about two months. I would make what I needed from acting and would stretch it out.
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I grew up reading the newspapers, mostly the sports section. I was a wrestler and would check to see if I was ranked.
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It's so interesting to watch Ben Stiller work because he just knows what's funny.
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A good comic explores the imagination, but it's always got to have those notes of truth running through it.
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I want to do more sci-fi films. I want to play half-alien, half-illegal alien.
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I think writing is the most underrated thing in Hollywood.
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The joy of 'Crash' was that it was all about the work. It was my first real part. Before that, it was a line here and there, maybe a scene. 'Crash' was five scenes, a beautiful arc, a little vignette of my own. It really meant something.
9
My first ten years in Hollywood were really tough. I'd be coaching friends who came to me for acting advice, and then they'd make it before I did. I'd still be helping them while they were on movie sets and I had four lines on a TV show.
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I guess people recognize me, but I'm not a household name. Two out of every five people who come up to me know my name. The one thing I don't want is to be followed by paparazzi.
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I'm just an actor. If it's drama, I add as much humor as the part will stand. And if it's a comedy, add as much drama as you can, so it balances out; you don't wanna be too serious.
He appeared in 5 movies nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award - Million Dollar Baby (2004), Crash (2005), Babel (2006), American Hustle (2013), and The Martian (2015) - with the first two movies winning consecutively.
3
Used to skateboard at the time he was in high school at Chicago.
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Michael welcomed his first child, a boy named Roman, with his wife, Brie Shaffer, in September 2008.
$5 Million
