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Screenwriter Tom Schulman wrote the draft for Dead Poets Society, detailing his personal experience at an academy in Nashville and his inspirational teacher. Director Peter Weir was impressed with the script, and production for the film began in 1988. The story focused on an elite boarding school where the introduction of a new English teacher inspired students while teaching through poetry. Starring Robin Williams as Professor John Keating, Dead Poets Society grossed $235.9 million worldwide and received critical reviews. Along with being nominated for Academy Awards for Best Movie, Best Director, and Best Actor, Schulman won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. It also won the BAFTA for Best Film and a César Award for Best Foreign Film.
Dead Poets Society has stood the test of time and remains a nostalgic movie in pop culture with enlightening quotes and heartwarming scenes. After three decades after its release, the film ranks as one of the best coming-of-age stories and brought many notable young actors to stardom. Let’s look at how much the star-studded cast of Dead Poets Society is worth today.
Gale Hansen ($1 million)
Playing the confident and slightly mischievous character of student Charlie Dalton, Hansen made his debut with Dead Poets Society. Often getting into trouble, his character was well-loved by audiences. Hansen has appeared in limited movies since then, starring in The Finest Hour alongside Tom Selleck, Double Vision, and Under Surveillance.
Dylan Kussman ($1.6 million)
Dylan Kussman portrayed the role of Richard Cameron, a member of the Dead Poets Society who was a supporting character in the film. According to The Things, Kussman went on to star in a series of movies, including X2, Letterheads, Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, and many more. A prolific screenwriter, he co-wrote the script for the 2017 action horror The Mummy starring Tom Cruise.
Josh Charles ($3 million)
The romantic from the group, John Charles, played Knox Overstreet, who pursued an attractive cheerleader in Dead Poets Society. After coming to prominence with the successful film, Charles starred in various projects like Crossing The Bridge, Threesome, Four Brothers, and Six Degrees. He is widely recognized as a star in The Good Wife and Sports Night.
Norman Lloyd ($5 million)
Norman Lloyd was the oldest living actor in Hollywood. As stated by Celebrity Net Worth, his movie debut occurred in 1942 in an Alfred Hitchcock direction before he went on to star in various movies. Lloyd portrayed the antagonist in Dead Poets Society as Headmaster Gale Nolan, a strict person who criticized Keating’s carefree teaching methods.
Kurtwood Smith ($10 million)
While Kurtwood Smith played a small part in the movie, he brought the flair of discipline and stubbornness with the role of Thomas Perry, father of Neil Perry, portrayed by Robert Sean Leonard. A character actor, Smith has worked on various television shows, including the Star Trek series and films such as Girl, Interrupted.
Robert Sean Leonard ($10 million)
In one of his most critically acclaimed roles, Robert Sean Leonard played the role of student Neil Perry, an aspiring actor who is pressured to hide his passion to appease his parents, as noted by IMDB. It launched Leonard into stardom, who went on to star in a series of movies and television shows. His second most notable role came in 2004 when he starred as Dr. James Wilson on House.
Robin Williams ($50 million)
Robin Williams was one of the greatest comedians of all time, and critics equally appreciated his work in the drama genre. An actor who made people smile with his presence, Williams was the perfect person to bring John Keating to life. The actor was a distinguished voice actor known for lending his voice to the Genie in Aladdin. His other acting credits include Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Night At The Museum, Bicentennial Man, and many more.
Ethan Hawke ($55 million)
Oscar-nominated actor Ethan Hawke has over 90 credits to his name since he first made his big screen debut in Dead Poets Society while pursuing college. Hawke took on the role of Todd Anderson, a shy student who eventually finds his voice in the film. As mentioned by Yahoo Finance, his most notable works include the Before series, Training Day, and Boyhood.
Dead Poets Society generated a love for poetry and brought the love of literature to the mainstream. With famous one-liners, including the Oh Captain! My Captain! a poem, the film has inspired a generation to follow their passion and remains one of the most beloved works of the legendary late actor Robin Williams.
Sources: The Things, Celebrity Net Worth, IMDB, Yahoo Finance
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