Peter Dante is a well-known actor, musician, and comedian famous for his work in Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions. Over the years, he built a career in Hollywood, starring in several hit comedy films.
His net worth has been a topic of interest, especially since his Hollywood career slowed down in recent years. In this article, we’ll explore Peter Dante’s net worth, earnings, career, and personal life.
Peter Dante Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Francis Dante |
| Date of Birth | December 16, 1968 |
| Age | 56 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | West Hartford, Connecticut, USA |
| Height | 6’2″ (1.88m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian, Musician |
| Education | Hofstra University |
| Spouse | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | Jake Dante |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Famous For | Happy Madison films |
Who is Peter Dante?
Peter Francis Dante is a well-known American actor, comedian, and musician. He became famous for his roles in several Happy Madison Productions movies, where he worked closely with Adam Sandler. Over the years, he built a name for himself by playing quirky and comedic characters in films such as Big Daddy, Grandma’s Boy, and The Waterboy. Apart from acting, he is also a musician and lacrosse coach.
His net worth has been a topic of interest for many fans, especially given his long career in Hollywood and his music ventures. In this article, we will explore Peter Dante’s net worth, earnings, career, controversies, and financial growth over the years.
Peter Dante Net Worth and Earnings
As of 2025, Peter Dante’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million. However, it is important to note that a large portion of his financial success comes from his wife, Cynthia Pett-Dante, who has been Brad Pitt’s longtime manager.
Peter Dante has earned wealth primarily from acting, music, and coaching. His net worth is estimated at $10 million, but much of this is attributed to his wife, Cynthia Pett-Dante, a successful Hollywood manager. Dante made millions from his roles in Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions films, along with royalties from DVD sales.
His biggest financial success came from Grandma’s Boy, which made $7 million in theaters but later earned $30 million in DVD sales. He also appeared in box office hits, such as The Waterboy ($185 million) and Big Daddy ($163 million).
Additionally, Dante earned a small salary as a lacrosse coach at Loyola Marymount University, making an estimated $3,000 in 2011. His music career contributed modestly, with releases like his 2011 album Peace, Love, and Freedom.
Below is a table of Peter Dante’s major box office earnings from films he appeared in:
| Year | Movie | Worldwide Gross Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Waterboy | $185,991,000 |
| 1999 | Big Daddy | $163,480,000 |
| 2002 | Mr. Deeds | $126,290,000 |
| 2004 | 50 First Dates | $39,852,000 |
| 2006 | Grandma’s Boy | $6,000,000 (Theater) |
| 2007 | I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry | $120,000,000 |
| 2011 | Just Go with It | $103,000,000 |
| 2013 | Grown Ups 2 | $133,669,000 |
Despite these earnings, legal issues and controversies hurt his career, leading to fewer opportunities in recent years.
Financial Growth Over the Years
Peter Dante’s financial growth has been a rollercoaster ride, heavily influenced by his acting career, music, and coaching. His net worth peaked during the early 2000s, thanks to his repeated collaborations with Adam Sandler in blockbuster films. However, after his legal troubles, his career took a major hit, affecting his overall earnings.
Rise to Wealth (1998–2013)
During his peak years, Dante starred in hit films like The Waterboy (1998), Big Daddy (1999), and Mr. Deeds (2002). These films grossed millions at the box office, and Dante benefited from lucrative roles and residuals. His breakout role came in Grandma’s Boy (2006), which, despite a modest theatrical release, became a cult classic and made millions in DVD sales. By 2013, he was still earning steady paychecks from Grown Ups 2 and other Happy Madison films.
Decline in Earnings (2013–Present)
After a racial controversy in 2013, Dante was blacklisted from Happy Madison Productions, which resulted in fewer acting roles. His arrest in 2020 further damaged his reputation, causing his earnings to plummet. While he continued to make music and minor appearances, his income streams became inconsistent.
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Financial Overview
| Year | Major Earnings Source | Estimated Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Waterboy | $185M (Box Office) |
| 1999 | Big Daddy | $163M (Box Office) |
| 2006 | Grandma’s Boy | $30M (DVD Sales) |
| 2011 | Loyola Marymount Coaching | $3,000 (Salary) |
| 2013 | Grown Ups 2 | $133M (Box Office) |
| 2020 | Arrest & Career Decline | Earnings Dropped |
Current Financial Status
Today, Peter Dante’s net worth stands at approximately $10 million, but much of it is attributed to his wife’s earnings. While he still makes occasional music releases, he has not returned to big-budget films, and his financial future remains uncertain.
Peter Dante’s Breakthrough in Hollywood
Peter Dante started his career in TV sitcoms, making appearances in The Jeff Foxworthy Show and The Larry Sanders Show. However, his big break came when he joined Happy Madison Productions.
Major Movies That Boosted His Career
- The Waterboy (1998) – Played Gee Grenouille
- Big Daddy (1999) – Played Tommy the Lawyer
- Little Nicky (2000) – Played Peter
- Mr. Deeds (2002) – Played Murphy
- Grandma’s Boy (2006) – Played Dante
- Grown Ups 2 (2013) – Played Officer Dante
His association with Adam Sandler helped him become a well-known face in comedy films.
Earnings from Movies
Peter Dante’s earnings from movies played a crucial role in building his $10 million net worth. His long-time collaborations with Adam Sandler and Happy Madison Productions allowed him to appear in several box office hits. While he mostly played supporting roles, his association with blockbuster films ensured he earned steady paychecks and residuals over the years.
Major Box Office Hits
Dante was part of high-grossing films that collectively made hundreds of millions at the box office. Below is a breakdown of the biggest movie earnings in which he played a role:
| Movie | Release Year | Worldwide Gross Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| The Waterboy | 1998 | $185.9 million |
| Big Daddy | 1999 | $163.5 million |
| Little Nicky | 2000 | $39.4 million |
| Mr. Deeds | 2002 | $126.2 million |
| 50 First Dates | 2004 | $39.8 million |
| I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry | 2007 | $120 million |
| Grown Ups 2 | 2013 | $133.6 million |
Highest-Paid Movie Roles
While the exact salary details for each film are not publicly available, actors in supporting roles in major films typically earn between $50,000 to $500,000 per movie, depending on their screen time and contract. Dante, being a frequent cast member, likely earned on the higher end of this scale, especially during his peak years.
Decline in Movie Earnings
After his controversy in 2013, Peter Dante’s acting opportunities dwindled. His last major role was in Grown Ups 2, after which he was dropped from Happy Madison projects. Without big Hollywood roles, his earnings from acting significantly declined. He now relies on residuals from past films, but they are not as profitable as before.
Current Movie-Related Income
Even though he is no longer in blockbuster films, Dante still makes some money from:
- Residuals from past movies aired on streaming platforms.
- DVD and digital sales from older films.
- Small indie film appearances and direct-to-video roles.
Despite his declining acting career, Peter Dante’s past movie earnings remain a significant part of his overall net worth today.
Peter Dante as a Musician
Besides acting, Peter Dante is also a musician who has worked on various music projects. His musical journey includes collaborations with well-known artists, solo albums, and performances. Dante’s music blends elements of reggae, rock, and hip-hop, reflecting his laid-back and fun-loving personality.
In 2011, he released his solo album Peace, Love, and Freedom, which included songs like “Dirty Road” and “My Purple Tree and Me”, featuring Shadoe. He was also a member of the group Rad Omen, along with Benji Madden, Dirt Nasty, and DJ Troublemaker. In 2015, he appeared in Afroman’s music video, further showcasing his presence in the music scene.
Music Career and Collaborations
Apart from acting, Peter Dante is a musician and songwriter. He released an album titled Peace, Love, and Freedom (2011) and collaborated with:
- Adam Sandler
- Buck Simmonds
- Afroman (featured in a 2015 music video)
He was also a member of the music group Rad Omen, alongside:
- Benji Madden
- Steven Laing
- Dirt Nasty
- DJ Troublemaker
Music added another source of income to Peter Dante’s net worth, although it was never as profitable as his acting career.
Legal Issues
Peter Dante has faced multiple legal issues that damaged his reputation. In 2013, he was removed from a hotel for using racial slurs against a staff member. In 2020, he was arrested for threatening a neighbor over a dispute, allegedly saying he would kill them. He was later released on bail, but these incidents affected his career and led to fewer acting roles. His behavior distanced him from Hollywood opportunities, making a comeback difficult.
Adam Sandler Collaborations
Peter Dante is best known for his longtime collaboration with Adam Sandler. He appeared in many Happy Madison films, often playing comedic side characters. Some of his most memorable roles include Gee Grenouille in The Waterboy and Dante in Grandma’s Boy. Other major films include Big Daddy, Mr. Deeds, and Grown Ups 2. His work with Sandler helped shape his career and net worth, though their relationship weakened after Dante’s legal troubles.
Career and Hollywood Success
Peter Dante began his acting career in the 1990s, appearing in TV shows like The Larry Sanders Show and The Jeff Foxworthy Show. However, his big break came when he started working with Adam Sandler.
Happy Madison Productions Films
Peter Dante became a regular in Adam Sandler’s movies, playing comedic roles in multiple films. Some of his notable roles include:
- Gee Grenouille – The Waterboy (1998)
- Tommy the Lawyer – Big Daddy (1999)
- Murphy – Mr. Deeds (2002)
- Dante – Grandma’s Boy (2006)
- Officer Dante – Grown Ups 2 (2013)
These films were box office hits, contributing heavily to Peter Dante’s net worth.
Peter Dante’s Early Life and Education
Peter Dante was born on December 16, 1968, in West Hartford, Connecticut. He was passionate about sports and entertainment from a young age.
Lacrosse and College Life
Dante attended Hofstra University, where he played lacrosse. He was also part of the Fork Union Military Academy for a postgraduate year (1987-1988).
His love for lacrosse continued into his professional life, as he later became an assistant coach for Loyola Marymount University’s lacrosse team.
Music and Other Ventures
Apart from acting, Peter Dante is a musician. He released an album titled Peace, Love, and Freedom in 2011. He also collaborated with Adam Sandler and Buck Simmonds on various projects.
He was a member of the music group Rad Omen, along with Benji Madden, Dirt Nasty, and DJ Troublemaker. In 2015, he also appeared in a music video with Afroman.
Earnings from Movies
Peter Dante earned most of his wealth from acting in films. Below is a table showing box office earnings of some of his major movies:
| Movie | Year | Worldwide Box Office Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| The Waterboy | 1998 | $185.9 million |
| Big Daddy | 1999 | $163.4 million |
| Mr. Deeds | 2002 | $126.2 million |
| 50 First Dates | 2004 | $39.8 million |
| Grandma’s Boy | 2006 | $6 million |
| Grown Ups 2 | 2013 | $133.6 million |
While he was never the leading actor, his roles in these films contributed significantly to his earnings and net worth.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Peter Dante’s career took a downturn after multiple controversies.
Hotel Incident in 2013
In 2013, after the release of Grown Ups 2, he was removed from a hotel after using racial slurs toward a staff member. This led to his professional separation from Adam Sandler, and he has not appeared in any Happy Madison films since then.
2020 Arrest for Threats
In September 2020, Peter Dante was arrested in Los Angeles after an altercation with his neighbor. Reports state that he was angry about construction noise and threatened to kill his neighbor and harm his family. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Peter Dante Life Outside Acting
Education and Sports Career
Peter Dante attended Hofstra University, where he played lacrosse. He also spent a postgraduate year at Fork Union Military Academy.
In 2011, he worked as an assistant lacrosse coach at Loyola Marymount University. He also coached club teams, including the Riptide lacrosse team, which reached the state championship.
Personal Life and Family
Peter Dante is married to Cynthia Pett-Dante, and together they have two children. His wife is a successful Hollywood manager, and her earnings have significantly contributed to Peter Dante’s net worth.
Final Thoughts
Peter Dante’s net worth of $10 million is a result of his successful acting career, music, and coaching. Despite legal troubles and controversies, he remains a recognized name in Hollywood, especially for his comedic roles.
Although he has not appeared in major films recently, his past works continue to be fan favorites. Whether he will return to acting remains uncertain, but his contributions to comedy films and music have left a lasting impact.
Conclusion
Peter Dante’s net worth reflects his success as an actor, comedian, and musician. He built his wealth through popular films like The Waterboy, Big Daddy, and Mr. Deeds, working closely with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions. However, legal troubles impacted his career, leading to fewer opportunities in Hollywood.
Despite setbacks, Peter Dante’s net worth remains strong at $10 million, thanks to past earnings, music, and coaching. While his Hollywood presence has faded, his contributions to comedy and film continue to be remembered by fans.
FAQs
What happened to actor Peter Dante?
Peter Dante faced legal trouble in 2020 after being arrested for threatening his neighbor. Since then, he has stayed out of major films.
How much is Adam Sandler’s net worth?
As of 2025, Adam Sandler’s net worth is estimated to be around $440 million, thanks to his successful movies and Netflix deals.
What is Rob Schneider’s net worth?
Rob Schneider has a net worth of approximately $12 million, earned through his acting, stand-up comedy, and film production.
What movie does Adam Sandler inherit?
In Mr. Deeds (2002), Adam Sandler plays a man who unexpectedly inherits $40 billion and a media empire from his wealthy uncle.
Why does Adam Sandler walk with a cane?
Adam Sandler used a cane briefly in 2022 due to hip surgery. It was a temporary recovery aid, and he is now back to normal.
