Why James Bond Actor Daniel Craig Won’t Let His Kids Have His Millions

Daniel Craig is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Ever since he took up the role of James Bond in Casino Royale, he’s become a celebrity across the globe – even if playing 007 hadn’t been one of his longtime ambitions. He’s made quite the sum of money. 

One might think his success would ensure a cushy future for his children. This is not the case. Craig has no interest in leaving his money to his children. 

Did Daniel Craig want to play James Bond as a kid?

007 was not a character Craig ever dreamed of playing. People are always saying to me, “You must have dreamed of playing James Bond when you were a kid. The answer is no. I never did.”

Craig continued “I dreamed of being all sorts of other things – Superman, Spider-Man, the Invisible Man, even a good old-fashioned cowboy. But Bond so much, which seems ironic now.” Regardless of Craig’s childhood ambitions, Bond has become the defining role of his career, partially because he reinvented the character for a new generation. 

Without Bond, would he have gotten roles in such films as Defiance, Cowboys & Aliens, Dream House, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Knives Out? It’s even possible Craig would have missed out on his comedic cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens if he was never 007. 

Daniel Craig’s money and what he wants to do with it

Even if Craig hasn’t fulfilled his childhood dreams of playing Superman or the Invisible Man, his career has earned him a hefty sum – $130 million to be exact. Craig hasn’t played all the roles he would have liked to, but he has certainly had an enviable career. Despite his vast wealth, he has no intention of giving it to his children.

He explained “I don’t want to leave great sums to the next generation. I think inheritance is quite distasteful. My philosophy is to get rid of it or give it away before you go.”

This philosophy will have a huge impact on his two children’s lives. So far, Craig has two daughters. His first is a 28-year-old daughter named Ella he had with actress Fiona London. The second is  a daughter with actress Rachel Weisz who was born in 2018. Craig and Weisz have kept the girl’s name private, however, Weisz says the girl takes after her father very much. 

Fan reception to this news was mixed. Some Bond fans applauded Craig for his charity and hoped his decision would instill ambition in his daughters rather than allowing them to simply rely on their father’s money. Other fans felt Craig was making a poor decision and he should share his wealth with his children. Much like his 007, Craig’s personal decisions are unorthodox.

Also see: James Bond: Why This Actor Played 007 Once and Never Again