Actor Adam Driver may have gotten his start on the HBO comedy “Girls,” but it’s really his work on “Star Wars” that made him a household name. The actor first appeared as Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” 2017’s “The Last Jedi,” and 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Although he pitched another film to Disney, top execs shut the project down, as they apparently didn’t see how Ben Solo could still be alive. Throughout his career, the U.S. Marine Corps veteran has earned three Emmy nominations, two Academy Award nominations, and even a Tony nomination. Earlier this year, he appeared in James Gray’s critically acclaimed “Paper Tiger,” which may earn him yet another Oscar nom.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the “Megalopolis” actor is worth $23 million, which puts him ahead of his “Star Wars” costars. According to the website, Oscar Isaac is worth $12 million, Daisy Ridley is worth $9 million, and John Boyega is worth $8 million. Shockingly, Anthony Daniels, who has appeared in every “Star Wars” movie to date – mostly as C-3PO, is also only worth $8 million.
Of course, his net worth is nothing compared to his on-screen father, Harrison Ford, who has an impressive net worth of $350 million thanks to his long career and his work in the “Indiana Jones” franchise. Mark Hamill, who famously portrayed Luke Skywalker, is actually worth less than Adam Driver – his net worth comes in at only $20 million.
How Adam Driver Got His Start
The actor was born in San Diego, California, in November 1983, but later relocated to Mishawaka, Indiana. He graduated from high school in 2001 and worked as a door-to-door salesman selling vacuum cleaners until 9/11, which prompted him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. After serving for three years, his unit was deployed to Iraq.
Unfortunately, he broke his sternum while mountain biking and was medically discharged before he left the country. He then studied at the University of Indianapolis for a year before transferring to Juilliard, where he studied drama. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2009.
Driver Got His Start On The HBO Comedy Girls
While studying at Juilliard, he met his now-wife, Joanne Tucker, who is also an actress. Upon graduating, the couple decided to stay in New York City. He appeared in several Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and worked as a waiter to pay the bills. He made his first feature film appearance in Clint Eastwood’s “J. Edgar” and his first TV appearance in an episode of “The Unusuals,” before he was cast on Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy “Girls.”
Driver played the role from 2012 to 2017 and was nominated for three Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his work. He worked with major A-listers, like Daniel Day-Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones, in the 2012 film “Lincoln” before appearing in other movies like “Hungry Hearts” and “Inside Llewyn Davis,” which starred his future “Star Wars” co-star, Oscar Isaac.
‘Star Wars’ The Actor’s Big Break
In 2015, Driver became a household name for portraying the main villain in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy. He played the role of Ben Solo, the son of Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo, who fell to the dark side. After reprising the role in 2017’s “The Last Jedi,” his character was redeemed – and ultimately died – in 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” seemingly putting an end to the Skywalker bloodline.
Although the film was met with controversy, many praised Driver’s acting. After appearing in Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” and Jim Jarmusch’s “Paterson,” he began to face more recognition for his roles. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2018’s “BlacKkKlansman” and a nomination for an Oscar for Best Actor for his role in 2019’s “Marriage Story” opposite Scarlett Johansson.
Driver Has 7 Projects Currently In Development
Earlier this year, Driver’s acting was praised in James Gray’s “Paper Tiger” when it made its debut at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. He is rumored to be starring in the sequel to “Heat,” and will also be reuniting with Kenneth Longergan on “Tomorrow Is A Drag.” Lonergan previously worked with Driver on the off-Broadway play “Hold On to Me Darling.”
As The Blast previously reported, he has also been tapped to star in a new Netflix series called “Rabbit, Rabbit.” Driver will also be an executive producer on the series, which will be directed by Emmy winner Philip Barantini of “Adolescence” fame.
He has also been tapped to star in the art-world drama “The Dealer” at Apple TV, opposite “Scenes From A Marriage” actress Jessica Chastain. Among his many projects, Driver will also appear in “Alone at Dawn,” opposite Anne Hathaway.
The film, directed by Ron Howard, is based on the book of the same name by Dan Schilling and Lori Chapman Longfritz and is inspired by a true story. The novel tells the story of Air Force Combat Controller John Chapman’s fight to the death to save his fellow soldiers, and the subsequent investigation that ultimately earned him a Medal of Honor.
Will Adam Driver Ever Return To ‘Star Wars’?
Many fans are also hoping that he will return as Ben Solo in some way, potentially as a Force Ghost, in a future “Star Wars” project.
The next Lucasfilm film to revisit the timeline after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker” is “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which will hit theaters on May 28, 2027. Although it is a standalone film, fans are still crossing their fingers!