When “Beverly Hills, 90210” premiered in 1990, few could have predicted that the clean-cut Brandon Walsh would become one of television’s most enduring characters. Jason Priestley, the Canadian actor who brought Brandon to life, has built an impressive $12 million fortune that extends far beyond his teen heartthrob days.
Unlike many stars from the ’90s who saw their careers plateau after their signature shows ended, Priestley took a different path. He leveraged his early success into multiple revenue streams, from directing episodes of hit shows to owning race car teams. Today, more than three decades after first stepping onto the 90210 set, he continues earning substantial income from both new projects and his past work.
The numbers tell an interesting story. While Priestley was pulling in an estimated $75,000 to $100,000 per episode during 90210’s peak years, he now earns roughly $2 million annually just from reruns and syndication deals. That’s passive income most people can only dream of, and it represents just one piece of his diversified financial portfolio.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
From Canadian Commercials to Hollywood
Growing up in North Vancouver wasn’t exactly a launching pad for Hollywood stardom, but Jason Priestley made it work. Born in 1969, he started appearing in Canadian TV commercials while still a kid. These weren’t glamorous gigs, but they taught him the basics of being on camera and gave him his first taste of the entertainment business.
The move to Los Angeles in the late ’80s was a classic story of a young actor chasing the dream. Priestley landed small roles on shows that were huge at the time – “MacGyver,” “21 Jump Street,” and “Airwolf.” These weren’t starring roles by any stretch, but they paid the bills and helped him learn how Hollywood actually worked.
The Beverly Hills 90210 Phenomenon
Before Brandon Walsh, there was “Teen Angel” in 1989 – a show that lasted about as long as you’d expect from that title. Priestley also had a decent run on “Sister Kate” with 19 episodes, which was respectable for a newcomer. But everything changed when he auditioned for a new show about rich kids in Beverly Hills.
Landing Brandon Walsh wasn’t just about getting a job – it was about becoming the moral compass of a generation. The character was written as the good guy, the one who always did the right thing, and Priestley played him with just enough charm to avoid being preachy. Those two Golden Globe nominations didn’t hurt his reputation either.
Peak Earning Years During Beverly Hills 90210
Salary and Episode Earnings
During his tenure on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Priestley commanded substantial per-episode fees that reflected the show’s enormous success and cultural impact. Industry estimates suggest that he earned between $75,000 and $100,000 per episode, similar to what Sarah Michelle Gellar was earning on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” during the same period.
Over the course of eight seasons, these earnings accumulated to a significant sum that formed the cornerstone of his wealth. The show’s consistent ratings and international syndication deals ensured that Priestley’s compensation remained competitive throughout his time as a series regular.
Behind the Camera Success
Demonstrating his ambition to expand beyond acting, Priestley made his directorial debut in 1993 while still starring in the series. He went on to direct 15 episodes of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” earning additional compensation for his work behind the camera. This dual role as both star and director significantly increased his per-episode earnings during those productions.
When Priestley decided to leave his acting role in 1998, he negotiated to remain with the show as an executive producer until its conclusion in 2000. This strategic move allowed him to continue earning from the show’s success while pursuing other opportunities, demonstrating his understanding of the business side of entertainment.
Diversifying Income Streams Beyond Acting
Film Career and Directing Ventures
While 90210 was paying the bills quite nicely, Priestley wasn’t content to put all his eggs in one basket. During the show’s run, he squeezed in some film work that, while not exactly blockbuster material, added to his growing bank account. “Tombstone” in 1993 was probably his biggest film break, sharing screen time with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer in what became a cult Western classic.
“Calendar Girl” the same year was more of a paycheck movie, but hey, work is work in Hollywood. By 1997’s “Love and Death on Long Island,” Priestley was clearly trying to stretch his acting muscles beyond the Brandon Walsh persona. Smart move, considering he’d eventually need to prove he could do more than just play the good guy.
The directing bug bit him early. Starting in 1993, he began directing episodes of 90210 while still starring in them. That’s not easy – imagine trying to manage a whole production while also memorizing your lines and hitting your marks. But it paid off financially, with those directing gigs adding serious money to his per-episode take.
Business Investments and Entrepreneurship
Here’s where Priestley’s story gets really interesting. In 2002, he decided to become a professional race car driver. Not as a hobby – as an actual career. The guy was getting paid to race cars around the world, which sounds like every kid’s dream job. Unfortunately, a nasty crash at Kentucky Speedway that same year put him in the hospital and ended his driving career.
But instead of walking away from racing entirely, Priestley got smart about it. In 2008, he became a joint owner of an IndyCar Series team. Two years later, he was part of the ownership group for the FAZZT Race Team. These weren’t just vanity investments – they were legitimate business ventures that combined his passion for racing with his need to diversify his income.
Ongoing Revenue and Modern Career
Royalties and Residual Income
One of the most significant contributors to Priestley’s ongoing wealth is the residual income from “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The show’s continued popularity in syndication and streaming platforms generates an estimated $2 million annually in royalties for the actor. This passive income stream provides financial stability and demonstrates the long-term value of successful television properties.
When the cast reunited for the 2019 reboot “BH90210,” Priestley earned $70,000 per episode for the six-episode series, totaling $420,000. Additionally, he received $46,000 for directing one episode of the reboot, showcasing how his established relationships and reputation continue to generate income opportunities.
Recent Television Success
Priestley has maintained an active television career well beyond his “90210” fame. From 2010 to 2013, he starred as Richard Fitzpatrick in the Canadian comedy series “Call Me Fitz,” demonstrating his range as an actor and his appeal to international audiences.
His role as Matt Shade in “Private Eyes” from 2016 to 2021 provided steady income and kept him visible to contemporary television audiences. These ongoing projects, combined with guest appearances on shows like “Haven,” “Psych,” and “How I Met Your Mother,” ensure a consistent flow of income while maintaining his industry presence.
Real Estate and Personal Investments
Property Portfolio
Priestley has made strategic real estate investments that contribute to his overall net worth. In 2007, he purchased a home in Toluca Lake, California, which he later listed for $2.1 million in 2011. His real estate portfolio also includes a Studio City residence purchased in 2014 for $2.72 million.
These property investments reflect a conservative approach to wealth preservation and growth. Real estate has historically provided both appreciation potential and tax advantages, making it a logical choice for high-earning entertainment professionals seeking to diversify their assets.
Lifestyle and Personal Spending
Despite his substantial wealth, Priestley appears to maintain a relatively modest lifestyle compared to some of his Hollywood peers. He is married to makeup artist Naomi Lowde, and together they have two children. The family’s decision to relocate from Los Angeles to Nashville in recent years suggests a preference for a more grounded lifestyle away from the Hollywood spotlight.
His continued involvement in motorsports, while expensive, appears to be managed within reasonable limits. The balance between personal interests and financial responsibility has likely contributed to his ability to maintain and grow his wealth over the decades.
Jason Priestley Net Worth Breakdown and Future Outlook
Current Financial Status
Priestley’s $12 million net worth represents a well-diversified portfolio of assets and income streams. The breakdown likely includes real estate holdings, investment accounts, ongoing residual payments, and active income from current projects. This diversification provides financial stability and reduces dependence on any single source of income.
Compared to some of his “Beverly Hills, 90210” co-stars, Priestley’s financial position appears solid and sustainable. While exact comparisons are difficult due to privacy considerations, his strategic approach to career management and investment has clearly paid dividends over the long term.
Future Earning Potential
At 55 years old, Priestley remains active in the entertainment industry with potential for continued earnings. His established reputation as both an actor and director provides multiple avenues for future projects. The ongoing popularity of 1990s nostalgia content also suggests that his association with “Beverly Hills, 90210” will continue to provide opportunities.
The passive income from residuals and investments provides a strong foundation for financial security, allowing him to be selective about future projects. This financial freedom enables him to pursue passion projects or take creative risks without compromising his family’s security.
Conclusion
Looking back at Jason Priestley’s career, it’s clear he understood something that many of his 90210 co-stars didn’t: fame is temporary, but smart financial decisions last forever. While some actors from that era are still trying to recapture their glory days, Priestley built something more sustainable.
His $12 million net worth isn’t just about one lucky break on a hit TV show. It’s the result of consistently making smart choices – from directing episodes while still acting, to investing in racing teams, to maintaining a steady presence on television long after Brandon Walsh hung up his letterman jacket.
The real lesson here isn’t that everyone should become a race car driver or move to Nashville. It’s that diversification works, whether you’re talking about investment portfolios or entertainment careers. Priestley never put all his financial eggs in one basket, and thirty-plus years later, he’s still collecting the dividends from that strategy.
