Melissa Mathison
Writer

Melissa Mathison Net Worth

Melissa Mathison was a writer and producer born in Los Angeles, California on June 3, 1950. She was best known for her work on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), The BFG (2016) and Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). She was married to Harrison Ford and passed away on November 4, 2015 in Los Angeles.
Melissa Mathison is a member of Writer

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Writer, Producer, Miscellaneous Crew
Birth Day June 03, 1950
Birth Place  Los Angeles, California, United States
Age 70 YEARS OLD
Died On November 4, 2015(2015-11-04) (aged 65)\nLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Cancer
Cause of death Neuroendocrine cancer
Occupation Screenwriter
Years active 1979–2015
Spouse(s) Harrison Ford (m. 1983; div. 2004)
Children 2

💰 Net worth: $9 Million (2024)

Melissa Mathison, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, is renowned for her work as a writer, producer, and miscellaneous crew member in the United States. With a successful career spanning several decades, Mathison has contributed significantly to the film industry, earning her a net worth of an estimated $9 million by 2024. Her creative talent, dedication, and involvement in numerous acclaimed projects have been key factors in her financial success. Melissa Mathison will continue to be remembered for her remarkable contributions to the world of film and her lasting impact on the industry.

Biography/Timeline

1950

Melissa Mathison was born on June 3, 1950 in Los Angeles, California, one of five siblings. Her father, Richard Randolph Mathison, was the Los Angeles bureau chief of Newsweek. Her mother was Margaret Jean (née Kieffer) Mathison, a food Writer and convenience-foods Entrepreneur. After graduating from Providence High School in 1968, Mathison attended the University of California, Berkeley. Her family was friendly with Francis Ford Coppola, whose children were babysat by Mathison. Coppola offered her a job as his assistant on The Godfather Part II, an opportunity for which she left her studies at UC Berkeley.

1990

Mathison knew the Dalai Lama from 1990 when she wrote the script for Kundun, and she developed a lasting friendship with him from that time on. She continued to work as an Activist for Tibetan freedom and was on the board of the International Campaign for Tibet.

1995

Mathison went on to write The Indian in the Cupboard (1995), based on Lynne Reid Banks' 1980 children's novel of the same name, and Kundun (1997), a biographical-drama film about the Dalai Lama. Her final film credit was The BFG (2016), which marked her third collaboration with Director Steven Spielberg.

2015

From 1983 to 2004, Mathison was married to Harrison Ford; they had two children together. She died on November 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, aged 65, from neuroendocrine cancer.

2016

Mathison wrote the screenplay for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in collaboration with Steven Spielberg. It was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay. The screenplay was based on a story that Spielberg provided to Mathison during the filming of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Spielberg attributes the line "E.T. phone home" to Mathison. She collaborated again with Spielberg for The BFG, which was released in 2016. She also had film credits for The Escape Artist and The Indian in the Cupboard.

2019

With Coppola’s encouragement, she wrote a script for The Black Stallion, adapted from the novel, that caught the attention of Steven Spielberg.

Some Melissa Mathison images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.