Lena Headey, a Bermudan-English actress, is currently valued at a net worth of $12 million. She is widely recognized for her role as Cersei Lannister in the famous HBO series Game of Thrones. Headey appeared in 62 episodes of the show between 2011 and 2019, out of the 73 episodes that aired. Additionally, she portrayed Sarah Connor in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles from 2008 to 2009. Headey’s impressive film career includes notable roles in The Brothers Grimm, 300, Mrs. Dalloway, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and The Purge.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Lena Kathren Headey was born on October 3, 1973, in Hamilton, Bermuda. Her parents, of Anglican and Irish descent, moved to England when she was five years old. Her father worked as a police officer in the Bermuda Police Service. The family initially lived in Somerset before relocating to Highburton, West Yorkshire when Lena turned 11. Lena showed a passion for performance early on, taking ballet lessons and participating in school plays throughout her childhood. At age 17, she was discovered by a casting agent while performing at London’s Royal National Theatre. This led to her first role in the 1992 film Waterland, starring alongside Jeremy Irons and Ethan Hawke.
Initial Roles and Television Appearances
In the early 1990s, Lena Headey continued to build her career with various television appearances. In 1993, she featured in guest roles on shows like Splendor, How We Used to Live, and Soldier Soldier. That same year, she appeared in the critically acclaimed drama The Remains of the Day. Her acting skills earned her several other roles in 1994, including the film The Jungle Book and television movies such as Fair Game and MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday. Headey also starred in the British television drama series Band of Gold in 1996, followed by roles in Face (1997) and the romantic drama Mrs. Dalloway (1997).
Mainstream Film and Television Success
The 2000s marked a turning point in Lena’s career. She appeared in several romantic and mystery films, including Aberdeen (2000) and Gossip (2000). She also starred in Ropewalk (2000) and Possession (2002), alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart. Headey’s career gained further recognition in 2005 with her role in The Brothers Grimm, an adventure fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam. That year, she also appeared in the thriller The Cave, where she played alongside Piper Perabo. The breakthrough moment came in 2006 when Lena starred as Queen Gorgo in the epic war film 300, which became a massive box office hit.
Following 300, Lena Headey took on roles in various films, including the family comedy St. Trintians (2007), the action-adventure film The Red Baron (2008), and the psychological thriller Broken (2008). She made a notable return to television in 2009, starring as Sarah Connor in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Although the show lasted only two seasons, her portrayal of the iconic character earned her critical acclaim and two Saturn Award nominations. She also appeared in the horror film Laid to Rest in 2009, which was released directly to video.
The Role of Cersei Lannister in ‘Game of Thrones’
In 2011, Lena Headey was cast as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, an adaptation of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin. The series, which ran from 2011 to 2019, became a global sensation. Headey’s portrayal of the cunning and ruthless Queen Cersei earned her widespread praise. She received five Primetime Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for her work. Game of Thrones was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards throughout its eight-season run.
While filming Game of Thrones, Lena Headey continued to take on film roles. She appeared in the 2012 action film Dredd, in which she played a villainous character. In 2013, she starred in the horror thriller The Purge, which became a commercial success. Headey also reprised her role as Queen Gorgo in the 2014 sequel 300: Rise of an Empire. Her voice acting career also flourished during this period, with roles in animated series such as Uncle Grandpa (2014), where she voiced Aunt Grandma, and Danger Mouse (2015), where she voiced Jeopardy Mouse.
Voice Work in the Late 2010s
In the late 2010s, Lena Headey further explored voice acting. She had a role in Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia (2017) and the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019), which won an Emmy Award. Headey’s work in animation expanded her portfolio and helped her stay active in the entertainment industry, even as Game of Thrones came to an end.
Salary from ‘Game of Thrones’
Lena Headey’s salary for Game of Thrones was significant, especially in the later seasons. For the final two seasons (seasons 7 and 8), Headey earned $1.1 million per episode. Over these 14 episodes, she earned a total of $14.3 million. This figure places her among the highest-paid television actors, with a salary ranking sixth among her Game of Thrones co-stars. For seasons 5 and 6, she earned $500,000 per episode, totaling $10 million. Headey’s broad earnings from the entire Game of Thrones series likely exceed $30 million before taxes.
Personal Life and Relationships
Lena Headey’s personal life has been marked by significant events. In 2007, she married musician Peter Loughran, and the couple had a son together before divorcing in 2013. Following her divorce, Headey faced financial challenges, famously declaring bankruptcy in 2013 despite earning $150,000 per episode on Game of Thrones. She reported having just $5 in her bank account at the time.
In 2015, Headey welcomed a daughter with her childhood friend Dan Cadan. They became engaged in 2017, but by 2019, they had separated. Lena’s romantic life took another turn when she began a relationship with actor Marc Menchaca in 2020. The couple married in October 2022, marking the latest chapter in her personal journey till now.
Lena Headey’s career trajectory is a testament to her talent and versatility as an actress. With a successful run on Game of Thrones, impressive film roles, and expanding work in voice acting, Lena has managed to carve out a successful and diverse career in Hollywood. Despite personal and financial struggles, including a high-profile divorce and bankruptcy, Headey’s net worth of $12 million reflects her enduring success in the entertainment industry.
