Edward Furlong Net Worth

Edward Furlong’s Net Worth: A Look at His Career and Financial Troubles

Edward Furlong, the American actor who rose to fame as a child star, has a net worth of $100,000. His career, marked by early success and subsequent struggles, provides a complex narrative of fame, fortune, and personal challenges. This article delves into Furlong’s journey, from his breakout role in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” to his later career and the legal and personal issues that have plagued his adult life.

Early Life and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”

Born Edward Walter Furlong on August 2, 1977, in Glendale, California, Furlong’s early life was marked by a lack of a father figure and a connection to his Spanish and Russian heritage. He was discovered at the age of 13 by a casting director for James Cameron’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” while hanging out at the Pasadena Boys and Girls Club in September 1990.

This unexpected opportunity changed the course of his life. Prior to the role, acting wasn’t on his radar, and the offer complicated his already turbulent home environment. After his mother separated from his stepfather, he lived with his aunt and uncle who became his guardians. As a minor, he had a court-appointed attorney to protect his finances. His mother and aunt were in a custody battle that added stress during the filming of “Terminator 2.” After the film’s release, their financial disputes continued until his mother regained custody in 1994.

For his performance in the film, Furlong won an MTV Movie Award and a Saturn Award, marking the beginning of his rise to stardom.

“Terminator 2” Salary & Family Troubles

Furlong’s salary for “Terminator 2” was $75,000, equivalent to roughly $150,000 today. This was a life-altering sum of money. However, it also brought significant turmoil to his already complicated family dynamics.

The custody battle between his mother, aunt, and uncle intensified, with each side accusing the other of trying to control the young actor for financial gain. His aunt and uncle served as his guardians on set, receiving $250 per day. They were accused of overspending to improve their own lifestyle. His uncle claimed he went into debt to keep up with the lifestyle Furlong’s fame demanded, including large phone bills related to his popularity in Japan.

Simultaneously, a woman named Jacqueline Louise Domac, 26, was hired as Furlong’s stand-in and tutor. A year after “Terminator 2,” their relationship became public knowledge, raising legal questions due to the age difference. Domac and Furlong even moved in together. His uncle attempted legal action, but was unsuccessful. Later, Domac sued Furlong for domestic abuse in 1999.

In 1993, Furlong earned $350,000 for “Brainscan,” equivalent to around $720,000 today. Disputes between Furlong, his aunt, and uncle continued on set, leading to his mother being reinstated as his legal guardian. At this time, Furlong and Domac lived together, subsisting on a $2,500 monthly allowance managed by a court-appointed manager.

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After “T2”: Career Highlights and Setbacks

Following the success of “Terminator 2,” Furlong appeared in several films, including “Pet Sematary Two” (1992), “American Heart” (1993), “A Home of Our Own” (1993), “Little Odessa” (1994), and “Brainscan” (1994). He continued to work with well-known actors in “Before and After” (1996) alongside Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson, but the film was a box office flop.

In 1998, he starred in “American History X,” a critically acclaimed film where he portrayed the younger brother of a reformed neo-Nazi (Edward Norton). The film was a critical success but performed poorly financially. Also in 1998, Furlong starred in the dramedy “Pecker.”

His career in the 2000s saw a decline in mainstream success, with much of his work being in television films. He appeared in “Animal Factory” (2000) and “The Crow: Wicked Prayer” (2005). In 2009, he starred in a remake of “Night of the Demons,” which was a commercial failure. In 2011, he had a supporting role in the successful action film “The Green Hornet,” alongside Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz. In 2019, he reprised his role as John Connor in “Terminator: Dark Fate,” but his appearance was brief.

Legal Issues and Substance Abuse

Furlong’s personal life has been marked by significant challenges, including struggles with alcoholism and addiction to heroin and cocaine. In 2000, he entered rehab for treatment. In 2006, he married Rachel Bella, with whom he had a son. Their marriage was short-lived, with Bella filing for divorce in 2009, citing his physical abuse and their son’s positive test for cocaine. Furlong was arrested for violating a restraining order and sentenced to probation. In 2012 and 2013, he was arrested multiple times for assaulting his then-girlfriend, Monica Keena, leading to jail time and further probation.

Despite these setbacks, Furlong has reportedly committed to sobriety, and he sometimes accompanies Keena at fan meet-and-greets.

Conclusion

Edward Furlong’s career is a study in contrasts. He achieved early fame and fortune, only to face personal and legal challenges. While his net worth reflects the struggles he has faced, his early success and his recent efforts toward sobriety show a complex individual who continues to navigate the world of acting.