Brett Ratner is an American film director and producer known for his work on the Rush Hour film series, The Family Man, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand and Tower Heist.
He has also produced several films, including The Revenant and Black Mass, and has been involved in various other projects such as RatPac Entertainment, a film finance production and media company.
Ratner has received critical acclaim and box office success throughout his career, with his films grossing over $2 billion at the global box office.
Net worth
Ratner had an estimated net worth of $85 million.
He accumulated his wealth primarily through his successful career in the film industry.
Ratner has directed and produced numerous high-budget films, including the Rush Hour series, X-Men: The Last Stand and Red Dragon, which have grossed over $2 billion globally.
Additionally, he co-founded RatPac Entertainment, a film finance production and media company, which has co-financed many successful films.
Ratner has also developed his own whiskey brand, Hilhaven Lodge, which has become popular in Japan.
Career
Ratner’s career began with directing music videos before making his feature directorial debut at 26 years old with the action comedy hit Money Talks.
He followed this with the blockbuster Rush Hour and its successful sequels. He also directed The Family Man, Red Dragon, After the Sunset, X-Men: The Last Stand, Tower Heist and Hercules.
Ratner has enjoyed critical acclaim and box office success as a producer, serving as an executive producer on films like The Revenant and Black Mass and as a producer on Truth and I Saw the Light.
He has also produced documentaries and television series, including Prison Break and Rush Hour.
Ratner’s early career was marked by his work in the music video industry, directing videos for artists like Mariah Carey, Madonna, and Public Enemy.
His first feature film as a director was the 1997 action comedy Money Talks starring Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen.
The film was a box office success, and it paved the way for his future projects.
His big breakthrough came in 1998 with the buddy cop action comedy Rush Hour starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
The film was a major hit, grossing over $244 million worldwide.
The success of Rush Hour led to two sequels in 2001 and 2007, which Ratner also directed.
The Rush Hour franchise has grossed over $850 million globally.
In addition to his work as a director, Ratner has also found success as a producer.
He co-founded the production company RatPac Entertainment in 2013, which has co-financed over 75 films and has a first-look deal with Warner Bros.
As a producer, he has worked on acclaimed films like The Revenant and Black Mass. He has also produced documentaries, TV shows, and other media projects through RatPac.
RatPac Entertainment
RatPac Entertainment is a film finance production and media company co-founded by Ratner and James Packer in 2013.
The company’s primary focus is to co-finance and produce films, television shows, and other media projects.
This involves partnering with other production companies, studios, and investors to finance and produce projects.
RatPac Entertainment has co-financed over 75 films, including major box office hits like The Revenant and Black Mass.
These films have won numerous awards, including 25 Academy Awards, 8 Golden Globes and 24 BAFTAs.
The company’s co-financed films have generated substantial profits, with some estimates suggesting that Ratner earned around $40 million from the 2013 film Gravity alone.
RatPac Entertainment has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, which gives the studio the first opportunity to finance and distribute films produced by RatPac.
This deal allows RatPac to develop and produce projects, and Warner Bros. has the option to distribute them.
This arrangement has been beneficial for both parties, as it provides RatPac with access to significant resources and Warner Bros. with a steady stream of high-quality content.
In addition to film production, RatPac Entertainment has also ventured into other areas, such as television production and media distribution.
The company has produced several television shows, including Prison Break and Rush Hour, and has a significant presence in the media distribution space.
Awards and accolades
Ratner has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.
One of his most notable achievements is that RatPac’s co-financed films have won 25 Academy Awards.
Ratner has also received recognition from other prestigious award-giving bodies.
His co-financed films have won 8 Golden Globes and 24 BAFTAs, demonstrating the broad range of critical acclaim he has received.
Additionally, he has been nominated for several Emmy Awards, including Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking in 2017 and Outstanding Nonfiction Series in 2012.
Ratner’s contributions to the film industry have also been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.
This honor is a significant achievement, as it is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the motion picture industry.
Furthermore, Ratner received the Ally Award from GLAAD in 2013, recognizing his support for the LGBTQ+ community.
These awards and accolades reflect Ratner’s significant contributions to the film industry as a director, producer and entrepreneur.
Real estate
Ratner owns a historic property in Hollywood that was once owned by Alan Carr and Ingrid Bergman.
The property, known as Hilhaven Lodge, was built in the 1920s and features a disco installed in the basement by Carr when Ratner purchased it in 2000.
This property is “made for entertaining” and has been a significant part of Ratner’s real estate portfolio.
