The net worth of Paula Sue Kauffman amounts to a staggering $50 million
Paula Sue Kauffman – A Brief Biography
Born on December 12, 1946, in Youngstown, Ohio, Paula Sue Kauffman, known professionally as Paula Wagner, has made a name for herself as a film producer. She is best known for producing hit films such as “Vanilla Sky,” “The Last Samurai,” and “Mission: Impossible,” among others. In addition to her prowess in film production, she has also worked as a talent agent. Paula embarked on her career path in 1971.
Ever wondered how financially successful Paula Wagner is? Well, as of early 2018, estimates suggest that her net worth stands at an impressive $50 million, accumulated through her successful tenure in the film industry.
Paula Wagner’s Net Worth: $50 Million
Under the guidance of her father, Edmund Jamison Kauffman, Jr., a businessman, and her mother, Sue Anna, an editor for a news magazine, Paula was raised in her hometown. She commenced her academic journey at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Paula’s professional journey kicked off in 1971 when she ventured into acting, appearing in the production “Lenny” in New York. Subsequently, she graced Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, and was part of the Yale Repertory Theatre, all of which contributed to the growth of her net worth. She later transitioned into the realm of talent representation and moved to Los Angeles, California, where she landed a position at Creative Artists Agency. During her 15-year tenure there, Paula represented renowned Hollywood personalities such as Demi Moore, Val Kilmer, Kathryn Bigelow, Liam Neeson, Oliver Stone, Robert Towne, Sean Penn, and Tom Cruise.
In 1993, Paula elevated her career by partnering with Tom Cruise to establish their production company, Cruise/Wagner Productions (C/W). Their first project, “Mission: Impossible” (1996), earned them the 1997 Nova Award for Most Promising Producers in Theatrical Motion Pictures. They went on to produce successful sequels, including “Mission: Impossible II” (2000) and “Mission: Impossible III” (2006).
In the early 2000s, Paula continued her streak of successes by producing hit films such as “Vanilla Sky” (2001), featuring Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, and Tom Cruise, “The Last Samurai” (2003), and “War Of The Worlds” (2005) directed by Steven Spielberg. In subsequent years, she added to her repertoire by producing films like “Ask The Dust” in 2006 and “Death Race” in 2008, further augmenting her net worth. Notably, she became a co-owner of United Artists Pictures in the late 2000s, releasing films like “Lions For Lambs” (2007) and Bryan Singer’s “Valkyrie” (2008) during her tenure from 2006 to 2008.
Expanding her horizons, Paula established her production company, Chestnut Ridge Productions (CRP). Her solo debut as an executive producer came with the TV film “Five” in 2011. She has since produced the “Jack Reacher” film series and the 2017 film “Marshall,” contributing to her continuously rising net worth.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Paula serves on the Board of the National Film Preservation Foundation and imparts knowledge as a professor at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television, and the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, among others.
Acknowledged for her significant contributions to the film industry, Paula has received numerous accolades, including the Excellence in Producing Award at the Sarasota Film Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival’s Renaissance Award. She also served as one of the presidents of the First-Time Directors Jury at the Venice Film Festival.
On a personal note, Paula Wagner has been married to Rick Nicita, a producer and agent, since 1984. She was previously married to set designer Robin Wagner.
- Structural Info
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| Full Name | Paula Wagner |
| Net Worth | $50 Million |
| Date Of Birth | December 12, 1946 |
| Place Of Birth | Youngstown, Ohio, USA |
| Profession | Actress, Film producer |
| Education | Carnegie Mellon University |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Rick Nicita |
| Children | Zachary Nicita, Jesse Nicita |
| Parents | Edmund Jamison Kauffman, Sue Kauffman |
| Siblings | Sally Hale, Susan Brooks |
| IMDB | |
| Awards | Costume Designers Guild Award for President’s Award, Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, PGA Most Promising Producer in Theatrical Motion Pictures |
| Nominations | Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture, Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play |
| Movies | Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible III, Mission: Impossible II, Vanilla Sky, The Last Samurai, Jack Reacher, Without Limits, Death Race, Ask the Dust, Elizabethtown, Narc, The Eye, Suspect Zero, Out of Our Father’s House |
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hollywood is an artistic medium, it should be leading the way, but we’re not. We’re not reflecting culture strongly enough, we’re lagging behind. Women aren’t going away. I just think we have to understand that it’s not female culture and male culture, it’s culture – women bring something specific, men bring something specific, and films can incorporate and encompass all of it. |
| 2 | I had a really strong goal, and one day I changed it completely, but the change is what made me what I am today. It’s as important to be flexible as it is to be goal oriented. |
| 3 | Let’s make movies, not deals. Let’s write movies, not scripts. — on the need to streamline the development of movies |
| 4 | Studios will make a movie out of Tide (laundry soap) if they think it’ll work. — on the major studios’ focus on franchises and branded properties |
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | While an agent at CAA, she represented such top talent as Tom Cruise, Sean Penn, Oliver Stone, Val Kilmer, Demi Moore, Liam Neeson, Robert Towne,… |
Here are some interesting facts about this individual:
1. Collaborated with well-known directors like James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow.
2. Made an appearance as a co-star on the debut TV mini-series, Loose Change.
3. Co-wrote the feminist play Out of Our Father’s House.
4. Started her acting career on and off-Broadway, including being part of the original cast of the Broadway show Lenny.
5. Was a member of the Yale Repertory Company.
6. Trained under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse.
7. Studied Acting at Carnegie Mellon University and currently serves as a Lifetime Trustee and adjunct faculty member.
8. Decided to depart United Artists in August 2008.
9. Became the new chief executive at United Artists in November 2006.
10. Served as Tom Cruise’s producing partner at Cruise/Wagner Productions.
You can check out all pictures here: All pictures
Producer:
– Marshall (2017) – producer completed
– Caught Stealing – executive producer announced
– Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) – executive producer
– Jack Reacher (2012) – producer
– Five (2011) – TV Movie executive producer
– And many more…
Miscellaneous:
– Jammin’ (2008) – TV Series travel coordinator
– Murder in the First (1995) – project consultant
Actress:
– Loose Change (1978) – TV Mini-Series – Character: Roxanne
– Space Academy (1977) – TV Series – Character: Gina Corey
Writer:
– Great Performances (1978) – TV Series writer
Thanks:
– Imbalance (2010) – Short special thanks
– The Eye: Becoming Sydney (2008) – TV Movie special thanks
– The Eye: An Explosive Finale (2008) – TV Movie special thanks
– And more…
Self:
– Et la femme créa Hollywood (2016) – Documentary
– The Insiders on TheLipTV (2015) – TV Series
– JacK Waltzer: On the Craft of Acting (2011) – Documentary
– And many other appearances…
Won Awards:
– 2008: President’s Award, Costume Designers Guild Awards
– 2001: Icon Award, Elle Women in Hollywood Awards
– 1997: Nova Award, PGA Awards – Nomination for Most Promising Producer in Theatrical Motion Pictures for Mission: Impossible (1996)
Nominated Awards:
– 2004: PGA Award, PGA Awards – Nomination for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures for The Last Samurai (2003)