Richard Dreyfuss Bio (November 2024)

Richard Dreyfuss is an American actor who starred in popular films between the 1970s and 1990s, including Jaws, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, The Goodbye Girl, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Stand By Me, and many more. 

His breakthrough role was as an intelligent, angst-ridden high school graduate in George Lucas’ American Graffiti. Throughout his acting career, Dreyfuss is honoured with several accolades, such as winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for The Goodbye Girl and nominating for two Screen Actors Guild Awards for The Education of Max Bickford. 

A Quick Info About Richard Dreyfuss

Early Life, Family and Education

On 29 October 1947, Richard Stephen Dreyfuss was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Norman Dreyfuss, an attorney and restaurateur, and Geraldine, a peace activist. His father was also a plastics company owner. 

Dreyfuss is not a single child to his parents. He is the second and younger son in the family. Lorin Dreyfuss, an American actor, producer, and screenplay writer, is his older brother. Unfortunately, Lorin died in 2021. 

Dreyfuss also had a younger sister named Cathy. He and his father were not on speaking terms at the time of his death, as he had remarried more than once. Dreyfuss was raised in the Bayside area of Queens, New York, and came from the Alfred Dreyfus family. 

His great-grandaunt, Hesya Helfman, was one of the assassins of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. 

Educational Background

Dreyfuss completed his schooling at Beverly Hills High School. Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with any further information regarding his education. 

Richard Dreyfuss’ Height, Weight and Body Stats

Career

• Early 1960:- Dreyfuss began acting at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills Arts Center under drama teacher Bill Miller. 
• 1967:- Made his film debut in The Graduate and appeared in a few episodes of TV shows such as The Big Valley and Peyton Palace. 
• 1973:- Dreyfuss had his breakthrough role as Curt Henderson in American Graffiti alongside other renowned actors, Ron Howard and Harrison Ford. 
• 1974:- Got his first lead role in the Canadian film The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. His performance in the movie received positive reviews, including praise from a famous film critic, Pauline Kael. 
• 1977:- Appeared in Steven Spielberg directed Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which further solidified his status as a leading actor in the industry.
• 1978:- Dreyfuss became the youngest actor to win an Oscar at the age of 30 for Best Actor for his portrayal of a struggling actor in The Goodbye Girl. 
• 1980:- Continued to star in notable films, such as The Competition, The Big Fix, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, and Whose Life Is It Anyway? 
• 1989:- Received an Academy Award nomination for films like Always, What About Bob? and Mr. Holland’s Opus. 
• 2010:- Continued to work in both films and television shows, such as Piranha 3D, Paranoia and Madoff.
• 2019:- Featured in Netflix’s The Last Laugh, alongside Chevy Chase and Andie MacDowell. 

Richard Dreyfuss’ Net Worth

According to the information on the internet, Dreyfuss’ net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. He used to have a higher net worth of $96 million at his peak time. In 1982, things took an unexpected turn due to his struggle with cocaine, which led to a high drop in his fortune. 

Awards and Achievements

Social Media Accounts

Who is Richard Dreyfuss’ Wife?

Dreyfuss is married to a renowned Russian-born actor, Svetlana Erokhin, who appeared in numerous notable roles in projects such as The Day. He has been married to Erokhin since 2006. 

Currently, the pair are happily spending their married life in their $1.5 million house in Encinitas, California. Before meeting Erokhin, Dreyfuss was married twice, Jeramie Rain (1983-1995) and Janelle Lacey (1999-2005). 

Children

Dreyfuss shares two sons and one daughter, Emily, Harry and Benjamin Dreyfuss, with his ex-wife, Jeramie Rain. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Richard Dreyfuss’s Age?

Born on 29 October 1947, Dreyfuss is 76 years old. 

2. Is Richard Dreyfuss Still Acting?

Dreyfuss has stepped back from acting to focus on civics. He even studied the topic at Oxford for four years. He also appeared in Netflix’s The Last Laught, released in 2019.

3. What is Richard Dreyfuss Famous For?

Dreyfuss is famous for his prolific roles in iconic films, such as The Goodbye Girl and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. 

4. Has Richard Dreyfuss Appeared in TV Shows?

Dreyfuss made several appearances in numerous television shows, including Madoff, Bewitched, That Girl, Weeds and Judd, for the Defense. 

5. Has Richard Dreyfuss Won Any Awards for his Acting?

Throughout his career, Dreyfuss has received several accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Goodbye Girl. 

6. Has Richard Dreyfuss Written Any Book?

Yes, Dreyfuss published a book titled The Two Georges, a political thriller co-written with Harry Turtledove. 

7. How Much Richard Dreyfuss Earns Annually?

As per reports, Dreyfuss’s annual income is around $200 thousand.