Bruce Dern Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Movies & TV Shows

Bruce MacLeish Dern also known as Bruce Dern is a prominent American actor known for his intense, often villainous or complex character roles across decades in film and television.

Frequently typecast as unpredictable or antagonistic figures, he rose to prominence during the New Hollywood era and earned critical acclaim for performances in Coming Home, Nebraska, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, among many others.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Bruce MacLeish Dern
• Stage Name: Bruce Dern
• Born: June 4, 1936
• Age: 89 years old
• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 185 cm
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: John Dern and Jean MacLeish Dern
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Andrea Beckett
• Children: Two
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $4 million USD

Early Life and Education

Bruce Dern was born on June 4, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He was brought up by his parents, John Dern, a utility chief and attorney, and Jean MacLeish Dern, in Kenilworth, Illinois, in a prominent family with political and literary ties.

His paternal grandfather was George Dern, former Utah governor and U.S. Secretary of War; his maternal grand-uncle was poet Archibald MacLeish; and his godfather was Adlai Stevenson.

He grew up with siblings including brother John Dern Jr. and sister Jean E. Dern. He was a track star and speed skater in youth, attending New Trier High School where he excelled in athletics and aimed for the 1956 Olympic Trials. He attended the University of Pennsylvania but dropped out after two years to pursue acting, training at the Actors Studio under Elia Kazan.

His ethnicity is Caucasian with mixed European heritage, and his religion is Unknown.

Career

Bruce Dern began his career in the late 1950s with stage work and early TV appearances in Westerns like Wagon Train, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza. He made his film debut in Wild River (1960) and gained notice in Hitchcock’s Marnie (1964) and Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964).

He worked extensively with Roger Corman in films like The Wild Angels (1966). He rose in the 1970s with roles in The Trip (1967), They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), Silent Running (1972), The Great Gatsby (1974), Family Plot (1976), Coming Home (1978), and notably killing John Wayne on screen in The Cowboys (1972).

Later works include The ‘Burbs (1989), Monster (2003), Big Love (2006–2011), Nebraska (2013), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) as George Spahn.

He has over 200 credits, known for committed, edgy portrayals. His accolades include the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor (Nebraska, 2013), Silver Bear for Best Actor (That Championship Season, 1982), Academy Award nominations for Coming Home (Best Supporting Actor, 1979) and Nebraska (Best Actor, 2014), and multiple Golden Globe and other nominations.

Social Media

Bruce Dern does not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

Bruce Dern is 89 years old and his height is 185 cm. He is married to Andrea Beckett since October 20, 1969. He was previously married to Marie Dawn Pierce from 1957 to 1959 (divorced) and to actress Diane Ladd from 1960 to 1969 (divorced).

With Diane Ladd, he had two daughters: Diane Elizabeth Dern (born 1960, died tragically at 18 months in a drowning accident in 1962) and Laura Dern (born 1967), an acclaimed actress.

Net Worth

Bruce Dern‘s net worth is estimated at $4 million USD. His income primarily comes from acting roles in over 200 films and television projects, including major features like Nebraska, Coming Home, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood; recurring series such as Big Love; residuals and royalties from classic films and streaming revivals; voice acting; and occasional producing or other credits across a six-decade career.