Wanting to steer clear of accusations of nepotism, Cage ditched his family name so that viewers could focus on his ample talent. He displayed that talent again later that same year in the rockin’ punk film Valley Girl.
From 1996 to 2011 alone, he picked up $150 million for his acting gigs. That works out to be around $20 million a movie for big hits like Snake Eyes, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Windtalkers, and National Treasure.
Worldwide, Cage got famous for snapping up two European castles and a lush mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, costing him $10 million, $2.3 million, and $15.7 million, respectively.