PROFILE DETAILS
NAME: Todd Phillips
REAL NAME: Todd Philip Bunzl
AGE: 55 years old
Gender: Male
weight: Information not publicly available
Height: 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m)
Birthdate: December 20, 1970
Birth Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
NET WORTH: $200 Million (Estimated)
Salary: Variable; famously defers upfront salary for backend “points” (equity)
MAIN INCOME SOURCE: Film Directing, Producing, and Screenwriting
Profession: Filmmaker
RELIGION: Jewish
FAMILY: Peter Bunzl (Father), Lorette Phillips (Mother), Jill Ginsberg (Sister)
PARENTS: Peter Bunzl and Lorette Phillips
SPOUSE: Information not publicly available
CHILDREN: Information not publicly available
CAREER: 1993–Present
Nationality: American
SOCIAL PROFILES: Instagram (@toddphillips)
What is Todd Phillips Net Worth and salary?
As of 2026, Todd Phillips’ net worth is estimated at approximately $200 million. His wealth is largely the result of high-risk, high-reward financial structures he negotiates for his films.
- The Hangover Trilogy: Phillips famously traded his $6.5 million director’s fee for a 16% stake in the first film’s profits. Following the trilogy’s global success, he reportedly earned an estimated $150 million from the franchise.
- The Joker Franchise: For the 2019 film Joker, Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix both accepted lower upfront salaries in exchange for significant backend percentages. With the film grossing over $1 billion, Phillips earned an estimated $100 million.
- Annual Income: While his base salary for smaller projects is estimated in the low six figures, his primary income stems from production deals through his company, Joint Effort, and ongoing royalties from his extensive filmography.
Early Life
Todd Phillips was born Todd Philip Bunzl in Brooklyn and raised in Dix Hills, New York. Growing up in a Jewish household, he developed an early obsession with the “raunchy” comedies of the 1970s and 80s, such as Animal House and Stripes. He attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts but famously dropped out to focus on completing his first feature-length documentary.
Before fame
Before becoming a household name in Hollywood, Phillips was a provocative documentarian. His debut film, Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies (1993), focused on the controversial punk rocker and became one of the highest-grossing student films of its time. He followed this with Frat House (1998), which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance but faced controversy over allegations that some scenes were staged.
Awards
- Golden Lion: Winner (2019) at the Venice International Film Festival for Joker.
- Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay (Joker, 2019); Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay (Borat, 2006).
- Golden Globes: Winner for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (The Hangover, 2009).
- Writers Guild of America: Multiple nominations for his screenwriting work.
Personal Life and Relationships
Todd Phillips is notoriously private regarding his romantic life. While he has been linked to various figures in the industry over the decades, he rarely discusses his relationships in the media. As of early 2026, there is no public record of a current spouse or domestic partner.
Family life
Phillips was raised by his mother, Lorette Phillips, after his parents divorced; he later legally changed his surname from Bunzl to Phillips. He remains close to his sister, Jill Ginsberg. He currently resides primarily in New York and Los Angeles, maintaining a low-profile lifestyle despite his blockbuster success.
Associated with
- Joaquin Phoenix: His primary collaborator for the Joker series.
- Bradley Cooper: A close friend and business partner; they co-founded the production company Joint Effort.
- Scott Silver: His frequent co-writer, including on both Joker films.
- The Frat Pack: Often associated with the 2000s comedy era alongside Judd Apatow and Adam McKay.
Real Estate
Phillips has a history of high-end real estate transactions. In 2021, he sold his historic Wallace Neff-designed Beverly Hills estate for $30.7 million. The property, which he purchased in 2012 for $17.25 million, featured seven bedrooms and twelve bathrooms. He is known to maintain luxury properties in both Malibu and New York City.
Net Worth History
- 2009: $10 Million (Pre-Hangover success)
- 2014: $80 Million (Post-Hangover trilogy)
- 2020: $160 Million (Post-Joker success)
- 2026: $200 Million (Current estimate)
Trivia
- He makes a cameo in almost all of his films, often playing a character credited as “Mr. Creepy.”
- He co-founded the New York Underground Film Festival in 1994.
- Phillips initially pitched Joker to Warner Bros. as the start of a “DC Black” label, focusing on grounded, R-rated character studies.
- As of 2025, he has officially stated he is “done” with the DC Universe following the release of Joker: Folie à Deux.
BIOGRAPHY
Executive Summary
Todd Phillips stands as one of the most financially successful and tonally versatile filmmakers of the 21st century. Emerging from the gritty world of underground documentaries in the early 1990s, Phillips initially defined his career through the “Frat Pack” comedy era. His films Road Trip (2000) and Old School (2003) revitalized the R-rated comedy genre, a trajectory that culminated in the cultural phenomenon of The Hangover (2009). The latter became one of the highest-grossing R-rated comedies in history and established Phillips as a power player capable of negotiating unprecedented backend deals.
In 2019, Phillips executed a dramatic pivot from comedy to psychological drama with Joker. The film defied industry expectations, winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and grossing over $1 billion worldwide. This success transformed Phillips from a comedy specialist into a prestige filmmaker, earning him three Academy Award nominations. His follow-up, Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), further showcased his willingness to take creative risks, subverting the comic-book genre by incorporating musical elements.
By 2026, Phillips has solidified his reputation as a director who prioritizes creative autonomy over studio safety. Following the conclusion of his work with DC characters, he has shifted his focus back to original storytelling and production through his company, Joint Effort. Despite the immense scale of his projects, Phillips maintains a “guerrilla” filmmaking sensibility, often citing the rebellious spirit of 1970s cinema as his primary influence. His career remains a blueprint for modern filmmakers on how to balance commercial blockbuster appeal with uncompromising, auteur-driven narratives. Whether through the lens of absurdist comedy or dark social commentary, Phillips continues to be a defining voice in contemporary American cinema.