Richard Dreyfuss Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Siblings, Movies, Oscar

Richard Stephen Dreyfuss, known professionally as Richard Dreyfuss, is an iconic American actor, producer, and writer whose transformative performances have defined decades of cinema.

He skyrocketed to fame with Jaws (1975) as marine biologist Matt Hooper and won an Academy Award for Best Actor for The Goodbye Girl (1977) at age 30, one of the youngest recipients at the time.

Known for roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Stand by Me (1986), and Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995), Dreyfuss brings intensity and relatability to diverse characters.

His recent work, including Astronaut (2019) and advocacy for civics education through his Dreyfuss Civics Initiative, underscores his commitment to both art and societal impact.

Profile

• Full Name: Richard Stephen Dreyfuss
• Stage Name: Richard Dreyfuss
• Born: 29 October, 1947
• Age: 0 years old
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.A.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Producer, Writer
• Height: 1.65m
• Parents: Norman Dreyfuss and Geraldine Robbins
• Siblings: Lorin Dreyfuss, Cathy Dreyfuss
• Spouse: Jeramie Rain (m. 1983–1995), Janelle Lacey (m. 1999–2005), Svetlana Erokhin (m. 2006)
• Children: Emily Dreyfuss, Harry Dreyfuss, Ben Dreyfuss
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Richard Stephen Dreyfuss was born on October 29, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, to Norman Dreyfuss, an attorney and restaurateur, and Geraldine Robbins, a peace activist. Raised alongside his brother Lorin and sister Cathy, he grew up in a Jewish household that moved to Bayside, Queens, and later Beverly Hills, California, when he was nine.

His passion for acting sparked early, performing in community theater and Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Arts Center. Dreyfuss attended San Fernando Valley State College (now Cal State Northridge) but left after a year to pursue acting, training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

He is of Jewish heritage, though he keeps his religious beliefs private.

Career

Richard Dreyfuss began acting in the 1960s with small TV roles on shows like Gidget and Bewitched, alongside stage work at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. His film debut came with uncredited parts in The Graduate (1967) and Valley of the Dolls (1967), followed by a breakout as Curt Henderson in George Lucas’s American Graffiti (1973).

His career-defining role in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) as the witty Matt Hooper showcased his ability to blend intellect with everyman charm, a trait that carried into Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) as the obsessive Roy Neary.

Dreyfuss’s 1977 Oscar win for The Goodbye Girl, playing a struggling actor opposite Marsha Mason, cemented his stardom, followed by nominations for Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) as a dedicated music teacher. He tackled diverse roles in The Big Fix (1978), Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990), showcasing comedic and dramatic range.

The 1990s saw him in What About Bob? (1991) with Bill Murray and Always (1989), another Spielberg collaboration. As a producer, he backed projects like Quiz Show (1994). Despite personal struggles with bipolar disorder and substance issues in the 1980s, he staged a comeback with stage roles like Sly Fox (2004) and TV appearances in Weeds (2007) and Parenthood (2012).

Richard Dreyfuss remains active, with recent roles in Astronaut (2019) and Murder at Yellowstone City (2022), alongside narrating documentaries like The Great Buster (2018). His Dreyfuss Civics Initiative, launched in 2008, promotes civics education in U.S. schools, reflecting his passion for democracy. He speaks at universities and engages fans on social media about politics and film, maintaining a legacy as both a Hollywood legend and a cultural advocate.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @richard_dreyfuss_official
• Facebook Handle: Richard Dreyfuss
• Twitter Handle: @Richard_Dreyfuss

Personal Life

Richard Dreyfuss married actress Jeramie Rain in 1983, with whom he has three children—Emily, Harry, and Ben—before their 1995 divorce. He wed Janelle Lacey in 1999, divorcing in 2005, and married Svetlana Erokhin in 2006, settling in Encinitas, California.

His children have pursued creative paths: Emily and Ben as journalists, Harry as an actor.

Filmography

• American Graffiti (1973)
• Jaws (1975)
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
• The Goodbye Girl (1977)
• Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
• What About Bob? (1991)
• Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
• Astronaut (2019)

Net Worth

Richard Dreyfuss has an estimated net worth of $5 million. His wealth stems from iconic roles in Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, and Close Encounters, with residuals from their enduring popularity.

Earnings from producing, stage work, and recent films, combined with speaking engagements and his civics initiative, sustain his finances, though past legal and personal challenges have tempered his wealth compared to his 1970s peak.