How Nicolas Cage blew US$150 million on mansions, his own private island — and a real dinosaur skull
If you want to blow a fortune in the most eccentric and extravagant way possible, you may want to take some tips from the Hollywood actor
By Emmie Martin
Best known for his roles in movies such as “National Treasure” and “Leaving Las Vegas,” Nicolas Cage was once a top earner in Hollywood, worth US$150 million.
But Cage didn’t hold on to his fortune for long. He squandered it away on a string of expensive and often eccentric purchases, eventually facing foreclosure on several properties and owing the IRS US$6.3 million in property taxes.
Now worth around US$25 million, Cage is taking roles left and right to help pay off his debts.
As chronicled in CNBC’s “The Filthy Rich Guide,” here’s a glimpse at some of Cage’s craziest purchases.
He also purchased, for US$3.4 million, the infamous LaLaurie mansion in New Orleans, known as one of the most haunted houses in America.
Over in Europe, Cage purchased not one but two castles for US$10 million and US$2.3 million, respectively.
US$3 million got him a deserted island in the Bahamas.
He also sprung for a nine-foot-tall burial tomb.
And even bought shrunken pygmy heads.
He blew US$450,000 on the late shah of Iran’s Lamborghini ....
... and another US$150,000 on a pet octopus.
He spent yet another US$150,000 on the first Superman comic.
Allegedly, Cage also once outbid fellow actor Leonardo DiCaprio for a 7-million-year-old dinosaur
skull. The US$276,000 artefact turned out to be stolen, however, and Cage had to return it to the Mongolian government.
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