Frank Marshall at a Glance
- Categories: Celebrities, Celebrities > Directors
- Net Worth: $300 Million
- Birthdate: Sep 13, 1946 (77 years old)
- Birthplace: Glendale
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Film Director, Film Producer, Actor, Television Producer, Television Director
- Nationality: United States of America
Frank Marshall’s Net Worth: A Deep Dive into the Life and Career of a Hollywood Icon
Frank Marshall, a name synonymous with Hollywood success, has carved a remarkable path as a film producer and director. With a career spanning several decades, Marshall has been instrumental in bringing some of the most iconic and commercially successful films to the silver screen. This article delves into the life, career, and net worth of this influential figure, exploring his journey from early beginnings to his current status as a titan of the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Education
Frank Wilton Marshall was born on September 13, 1946, in Glendale, California. His upbringing was steeped in the arts; his father, Jack Marshall, was a renowned jazz guitarist, composer, and record producer. This exposure to the creative world undoubtedly influenced Frank’s future career path. Growing up in Southern California, Marshall attended Newport Harbor High School, where he was actively involved in drama, music, and sports. He later pursued higher education at UCLA, initially studying engineering before switching to political science, earning his degree in 1968. During his college years, Marshall was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was involved in establishing UCLA’s first-ever NCAA soccer team, playing from 1966 to 1968.

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Career Beginnings and Rise to Prominence
Frank Marshall’s entry into the film industry was serendipitous. In the mid-1960s, he met director Peter Bogdanovich at a party and volunteered to work on Bogdanovich’s debut film, “Targets,” released in 1968. Bogdanovich recognized Marshall’s talent and offered him a role on “The Last Picture Show” in 1971, where Marshall served as both an actor and location manager. This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration, with Marshall working on five more of Bogdanovich’s films, eventually ascending to the role of associate producer. His early career also involved a significant role as a line producer for Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Waltz” in 1978 and as an associate producer for Walter Hill’s “The Driver” in the same year. Marshall’s first venture as an executive producer came with the 1979 film “The Warriors,” a gritty and influential action film that set the stage for his future successes.
Major Film and Documentary Productions
Frank Marshall’s career is defined by an impressive portfolio of film productions, spanning multiple genres and consistently achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. Some of his notable early productions include “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), “Poltergeist” (1982), “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984), “Back to the Future” (1985), and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988), which showcased his ability to handle large-scale projects. In 1990, Marshall made his directorial debut with the film “Arachnophobia,” followed by “Alive” (1993) and “Congo” (1995). His production credits continued to mount with films such as “The Sixth Sense” (1999), “The Bourne Identity” (2002), “Seabiscuit” (2003), “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008), and the blockbuster “Jurassic World” (2015), which grossed over $1.7 billion worldwide. Marshall has also expanded his repertoire to include documentaries, directing “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (2020), “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” (2022), and “Rather” (2023), showcasing his versatility within the industry.
Marshall’s collaborative partnership with his wife, Kathleen Kennedy, has been particularly significant. Together, they co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and later established the Kennedy/Marshall Company in 1991, which has a contract with DreamWorks Studios. Their combined net worth reflects their enormous success, with Kathleen Kennedy being the second-highest-grossing producer in history, and Frank Marshall ranking among the top producers worldwide.
- Key Productions:
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Back to the Future
- Jurassic World
- The Sixth Sense
- The Bourne Identity
Personal Life and Philanthropic Endeavors
Frank Marshall’s personal life is marked by his marriage to Kathleen Kennedy in 1987, with whom he has two daughters, Lili and Meghan. Beyond his film career, Marshall has been actively involved in various philanthropic and organizational roles. He served as the vice president of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and as a member of its Executive Committee and board of directors. His contributions to the Olympic movement were recognized in 2005 with the Olympic Shield, and he was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2008. Additionally, Marshall has held board memberships and co-chair positions with organizations such as Athletes for Hope, the BAFTA North America Board, and the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television’s Executive Board. He is also known for his interests in music and magic, performing under the stage names DJ Master Frank and Dr. Fantasy. He is also an avid long-distance runner and co-founded the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.
Awards and Accolades
Frank Marshall’s exceptional contributions to the film industry have been widely recognized through numerous awards and nominations. He received the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the 2019 Academy Awards, a testament to his outstanding career. Over his career, Marshall has garnered five Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, including “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “The Color Purple,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Seabiscuit,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” His work has also been acknowledged with six Primetime Emmy nominations, and he secured a Grammy Award for Best Music Film for “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” in 2023. Furthermore, he has received multiple Christopher Awards, a David di Donatello Award, and numerous other accolades from various film organizations and festivals, solidifying his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most respected figures.
Real Estate Ventures
Over the years, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy have invested in significant real estate properties in the Los Angeles area. In 2010, they sold their Pacific Palisades home to Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson for $26 million. They have also acquired properties in Malibu and Sullivan Canyon, including a two-acre property in Malibu purchased in 2015 for $9.75 million and a home in Sullivan Canyon, formerly owned by Bea Arthur, for $14.925 million. In August 2023, they listed their Malibu home for sale for $18.5 million and ultimately sold the Malibu home for $12.7 million, further reflecting their financial success.
Conclusion
Frank Marshall’s net worth of $300 million, combined with his wife Kathleen Kennedy, is a reflection of his decades-long career filled with groundbreaking films, numerous awards, and significant contributions to the film industry. From his early days working with Peter Bogdanovich to his current status as a highly successful producer and director, Marshall has left an indelible mark on Hollywood. His commitment to excellence, combined with his strategic partnerships and entrepreneurial spirit, has positioned him as a true icon of cinema, whose influence will be felt for generations to come.