300: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

300 (2006), directed by Zack Snyder and based on Frank Miller’s 1998 graphic novel, is an epic historical action film fictionalizing the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC).

Filmed in Montreal with heavy CGI, it grossed over $456 million on a $65 million budget but earned mixed reviews (61% on Rotten Tomatoes) for its stylized violence and historical inaccuracies, like exaggerated Persian portrayals.

Praised for its visuals and Gerard Butler’s breakout role as King Leonidas, it won Best Fight at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards and Best Action Film at the 2006–2007 Golden Icon Awards.

Criticized for xenophobic undertones, it was lauded for Queen Gorgo’s strong female role.

Its “This is Sparta!” line became a cultural meme.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Gerard Butler as King Leonidas

• Role: Leonidas, Sparta’s fearless king, leads 300 warriors against Xerxes’ massive Persian army.
• Butler’s “powerful” performance, marked by intense training for a chiseled physique, cemented him as an action star.
• Net Worth: $40 million
• Height: 6’2″ (1.88 m).
• Family: Born November 13, 1969, in Paisley, Scotland, to Margaret and Edward Butler (bookmaker). Youngest of three siblings; Catholic family of Irish descent. Moved to Montreal at six months, returned to Scotland after parents’ divorce.
• Relationships: In an on-off relationship with Morgan Brown (interior designer) since 2014. No children; single as of 2025.

Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo

• Role: Gorgo, Leonidas’ politically savvy wife, rallies Spartan support.
• Headey’s “compelling” performance, including a nude scene, earned a Saturn Award nomination. Her role was expanded from the comic.
• Net Worth: $12 million
• Height: 5’5″ (1.66 m).
• Family: Born October 3, 1973, in Hamilton, Bermuda, to Susan (née Brown) and John Headey (police officer, Yorkshire native). Has one younger brother, Tim. Raised in England from age five; took ballet lessons.
• Relationships: Has a son (born 2010) with ex-husband Peter Loughran (2007–2013) and a daughter (born 2015) with ex-partner Dan Cadan. Single as of 2025; advocates for animal rights.

Dominic West as Theron

• Role: Theron, a corrupt Spartan politician bribed by Xerxes, schemes against Gorgo.
• West’s “sinister” performance leveraged his The Wire fame.
• Net Worth: $20 million
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born October 15, 1969, in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Family details private; no siblings reported. Studied at Eton and Trinity College Dublin.
• Relationships: Married to Catherine FitzGerald (landscape designer) since 2010; they have four children: Dora, Senan, Francis, and Christabel. Has a daughter, Martha (born 1999), with ex-girlfriend Polly Astor.

David Wenham as Dilios

• Role: Dilios, a Spartan soldier and narrator, survives to tell the tale of the 300.
• Wenham’s “articulate” voice-over framed the film’s epic tone.
• Net Worth: $3 million
• Height: 5’10” (1.78 m).
• Family: Born September 21, 1965, in Sydney, Australia, to Kath and Bill Wenham. Youngest of seven siblings (six sisters).
• Relationships: With Kate Agnew since 1994; they have two daughters, Eliza Jane and Millie.

Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes

• Role: Xerxes, the opulent Persian “God-King,” leads the invasion of Greece.
• Santoro’s “menacing” portrayal, enhanced by CGI, earned a Best Villain nomination at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.
• Net Worth: $10 million
• Height: 6’2″ (1.88 m).
• Family: Born August 22, 1975, in Petrópolis, Brazil, to Maria José Junqueira dos Reis (artist) and Francesco Santoro (engineer). Has one sister, Flávia.
• Relationships: Married to Mel Fronckowiak (Brazilian actress) since 2016; they have one daughter, Nina (born 2017).

Vincent Regan as Captain Artemis

• Role: Artemis, a loyal Spartan captain and Leonidas’ friend, loses his son Astinos in battle, fueling his ferocity.
• Regan’s “emotional” performance added depth.
• Net Worth: $2 million
• Height: 6’0″ (1.84 m).
• Family: Born May 16, 1965, in Swansea, Wales, to Irish parents (names unreported). No siblings reported.
• Relationships: Married to Amelia Curtis (actress) since 2001; they have three children: Esme, Max, and Leo.

Michael Fassbender as Stelios

• Role: Stelios, a fierce Spartan warrior, delivers bold defiance to the Persians.
• Fassbender’s film debut was “passionate” and a springboard to stardom.
• Net Worth: $40 million
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born April 2, 1977, in Heidelberg, Germany, to Adele (German chef) and Josef Fassbender (Irish doctor). Has one older sister, Catherine. Raised in Ireland.
• Relationships: Married to Alicia Vikander (actress) since 2017; they have one son (born 2021).

Tom Wisdom as Astinos

• Role: Astinos, Artemis’ young son and a Spartan warrior, dies heroically.
• Wisdom’s “earnest” performance was brief but memorable.
• Net Worth: $1 million to $2 million.
• Height: 6’2″ (1.89 m).
• Family: Born February 18, 1973, in Swindon, England; family details private, no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Unknown

Andrew Pleavin as Daxos

• Role: Daxos, leader of the Arcadian allies, joins Leonidas but retreats.
• Pleavin’s “stoic” role supported the battle narrative.
• Net Worth: $1 million
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born April 13, 1968, in London, England; family details private, no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Married with children (details private).

Andrew Tiernan as Ephialtes

• Role: Ephialtes, a deformed Spartan outcast, betrays Leonidas to Xerxes.
• Tiernan’s “tragic” portrayal added moral complexity.
• Net Worth: $1 million to $2 million.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born November 30, 1965, in Birmingham, England; family details private, no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Unknown.

Peter Mensah as Persian Messenger

• Role: The Messenger, sent by Xerxes, is killed by Leonidas, sparking the war.
• Mensah’s “imposing” presence set the tone.
• Net Worth: $5 million.
• Height: 6’3″ (1.91 m).
• Family: Born August 27, 1959, in Accra, Ghana; raised in England. Family details private; no siblings reported.
• Relationships: Unknown.

Additional Notes

• Salaries: Butler earned ~$2–$3 million for 300, Headey ~$1 million, and supporting actors like Fassbender, West, and Santoro ~$100,000–$500,000. The $65 million budget prioritized CGI, green-screen sets, and slow-motion battle sequences, with actors undergoing rigorous training for authenticity.
• Impact and Legacy: 300 grossed $456 million, making it a landmark for Snyder’s stylized visuals and Butler’s action-hero ascent. Its iconic lines and imagery fueled parodies (Meet the Spartans) and memes. The 2014 sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire, grossed $337 million but was less acclaimed (44% on Rotten Tomatoes).
• Post-Film Careers: Butler starred in Plane (2023) and Kandahar (2023). Headey joined Beacon 23 (2023). West appeared in The Pursuit of Love (2021). Wenham starred in The Moth Effect (2021). Santoro featured in 7 Prisoners (2021). Regan joined One Piece (2023). Fassbender starred in Next Goal Wins (2023). Wisdom appeared in Endeavour. Pleavin and Tiernan took smaller roles. Mensah starred in Gladiator II (2024).
• Cultural Influence: 300’s hyper-masculine aesthetic and “This is Sparta!” became pop culture staples, though its “West vs. East” narrative drew criticism for stereotyping Persians. Gorgo’s expanded role was praised for highlighting Spartan women’s agency, backed by historian Paul Cartledge’s consultancy. The film’s visual style influenced action cinema, and its fanbase remains active online.

Conclusion

300’s cast, led by Butler’s commanding Leonidas and Headey’s resolute Gorgo, delivered a visceral spectacle that defined 2000s action films.

Net worths range from $1 million (Pleavin, Wisdom, Tiernan) to $40 million (Butler, Fassbender), reflecting varied career paths.

Their personal lives, from Butler’s private romance to Headey’s advocacy, add depth to their iconic roles.

Despite historical critiques, 300’s bold visuals and performances ensure its enduring legacy.