Richard Dreyfuss is an American actor with a long and respected Hollywood career. He was born on October 29, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York. His work includes classic films that still matter to movie fans today. Many viewers know him from Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Goodbye Girl, and Mr. Holland’s Opus. His acting feels sharp, natural, and full of life. He can bring humor, fear, pressure, or deep emotion to a role without making it feel forced.
Richard Dreyfuss gained major respect after his Oscar win for The Goodbye Girl. His film and TV work helped him build a lasting name in American cinema. Even in 2026, many fans still see him as one of the most memorable actors of his generation.
| BASIC BIOGRAPHY | |
| REAL NAME | Richard Stephen Dreyfuss |
| BIRTHDATE | October 29, 1947 |
| AGE | 78 Years Old |
| RELIGION | Jewish |
| BIRTHPLACE | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| NATIONALITY | American |
| MARITAL STATUS | Married |
| WIFE | Svetlana Erokhin |
| PROFESSION | Actor |
| MARITAL STATUS | Married (third marriage to Svetlana Erokhin) |
| HEIGHT | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| WEIGHT | Approximately 160 lbs (73 kg) |
| ZODIAC SIGN | Scorpio |
| QUALIFICATION | Beverly Hills High School; California State University, Northridge |
| ETHNICITY | Ashkenazi Jewish |
| CHILDREN | 3 |
| KNOWN FOR | Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, Close Encounters of the Third Kind |
Early Life and Family Background
Richard Dreyfuss was born in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a Jewish family with strong creative and social values. His father, Norman Dreyfuss, worked as a lawyer and businessman. Dreyfuss’s mother, Geraldine Dreyfuss, worked as a peace activist.
His family later moved to Los Angeles, California. Life in Los Angeles gave him early exposure to film, television, and theater. He soon developed a strong interest in acting and stage performance. Richard studied at Beverly Hills High School and later attended California State University, Northridge. His focus stayed on acting, and he soon moved toward professional screen work.
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Career Start and Rise to Fame
Richard Dreyfuss began his acting career in television during the 1960s. He appeared in shows such as Bewitched and The Big Valley. These early roles helped him gain screen experience and confidence. His first major film success came with American Graffiti in 1973. He played Curt Henderson, a role that helped more viewers notice his talent.
His career reached a new level after Jaws in 1975. He played marine biologist Matt Hooper in the famous Steven Spielberg thriller. The film became a huge success and remains one of Hollywood’s best-known movies.
In 1977, Richard Dreyfuss starred in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Goodbye Girl. His role in The Goodbye Girl earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. At that time, he became one of the youngest actors to win the award.
Richard Dreyfuss Famous Movies
Richard Dreyfuss built a strong film career through many successful projects. His performances helped shape several classic Hollywood films.
Most Popular Richard Dreyfuss Movies
- Jaws (1975), Matt Hooper
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Roy Neary
- The Goodbye Girl (1977), Elliot Garfield
- What About Bob? (1991), Dr. Leo Marvin
- Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995), Glenn Holland
- The American President (1995), Leon Kodak
- Poseidon (2006), Richard Nelson
- The Last Laugh (2019), Buddy Green
Each role showed a different side of his acting skills. He handled comedy, drama, suspense, and emotional stories with ease.
Awards and Career Success
Richard Dreyfuss earned major respect during the 1970s and 1990s. Critics praised his natural acting style and emotional screen work.
His biggest achievement came with the Academy Award win for The Goodbye Girl in 1977. He also received nominations and honors from several film organizations during his long career.
Major Awards and Recognition
- Academy Award for Best Actor — The Goodbye Girl
- BAFTA Award nomination
- Golden Globe recognition
- Several career achievement honors
- His influence on American film remains strong even decades after his biggest hits.
Wife, Children, and Personal Life
Richard Dreyfuss has been married three times. He is currently married to Svetlana Erokhin. Richard also has three children. He has often kept parts of his family life private. Still, his personal journey has remained part of public discussion because of his long Hollywood career.
Richard Dreyfuss has also spoken openly about mental health. He shared details about his bipolar disorder and the challenges he faced during different stages of his life.
Richard Dreyfuss Net Worth 2026
Richard Dreyfuss built most of his wealth through acting in films, television projects, stage work, interviews, and voice projects.
His net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $5 million. Public estimates can vary because exact financial records are not fully available.
Income Source and Net Worth
Richard Dreyfuss’s main source of income has been acting, as he has done for more than half a century. Besides his film acting, Dreyfuss has acted in television series and plays to increase his income. His income sources also include his voice-over contribution to documentaries and interviews, which he has featured in. Currently, for 2024, Richard Dreyfuss has a net worth estimated to be $5 million.
| Richard Dreyfuss Net Worth Over the Years | |||
| 1 | 2026 | $5 million | |
| 2 | 2025 | $5 million | |
| 3 | 2024 | $5 million | |
| 4 | 2023 | $4.8 million | |
| 5 | 2022 | $4.6 million | |
Income Sources
Richard Dreyfuss earns income from several entertainment projects. Acting remains his biggest source of income.
Main Income Sources
| Income Source | Details |
| Film Acting | Hollywood films and major movie roles |
| Television | TV series and guest appearances |
| Stage Work | Theater and live performances |
| Voice Work | Narration and documentary projects |
| Public Appearances | Interviews, events, and speaking work |
Filmography
| Year | Film Title | Role | Estimated Earnings | Notes |
|---|
| 1967 | The Graduate | Boarding House Resident | N/A | Uncredited |
| 1973 | American Graffiti | Curt Henderson | $30,000 | Breakthrough role |
| 1974 | The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz | Duddy Kravitz | $40,000 | The first major leading role |
| 1975 | Jaws | Matt Hooper | $500,000 | Iconic thriller directed by Spielberg |
| 1977 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Roy Neary | $350,000 | Sci-fi classic directed by Spielberg |
| 1977 | The Goodbye Girl | Elliot Garfield | $1.2 million | Won Academy Award for Best Actor |
| 1980 | The Competition | Paul Dietrich | $750,000 | Romantic drama |
| 1981 | Whose Life Is It Anyway? | Ken Harrison | $1 million | Legal drama |
| 1991 | What About Bob? | Dr. Leo Marvin | $5 million | Comedy classic |
| 1995 | Mr. Holland’s Opus | Glenn Holland | $3 million | Nominated for the Academy Award |
| 2006 | Poseidon | Richard Nelson | $1 million | Disaster film remake |
| 2019 | The Last Laugh | Buddy Green | $200,000 | Comedy with Chevy Chase |
The earnings listed above are estimated based on available data and may vary. These figures represent Dreyfuss’s reported income for the respective films, factoring in base salaries and potential bonuses.
FAQs About Richard Dreyfuss
- What is Richard Dreyfuss best known for?
Richard Dreyfuss is best known for Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and The Goodbye Girl.
2. Did Richard Dreyfuss win an Oscar?
Yes. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for The Goodbye Girl in 1977.
3. What is Richard Dreyfuss’s age in 2026?
Richard Dreyfuss is 78 years old in 2026.
4. Is Richard Dreyfuss still active in entertainment?
Yes. He still appears in interviews, public events, and selected acting projects.
5. What health condition did Richard Dreyfuss discuss publicly?
Richard Dreyfuss spoke openly about bipolar disorder and mental health struggles.
Conclusion
Richard Dreyfuss built a long and respected career in Hollywood. His work in films such as Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and The Goodbye Girl made him one of the best-known actors of his generation. His journey included major success, personal struggles, and lasting influence in American cinema. Even in 2026, Dreyfuss remains an important name in film history because of his memorable performances and strong screen presence.
