James Toback is an American filmmaker known for Bugsy and Two Girls and a Guy. Born in 1944, he graduated from Harvard and rose to prominence in the 1970s. Despite his cinematic acclaim, Toback became infamous after over 300 women accused him of sexual misconduct. In 2025, he was ordered to pay $1.68 billion in damages to 40 women, marking one of New York’s largest civil verdicts.
James Toback’s Net Worth 2025
As of April 2025, James Toback’s net worth is estimated to be between $1M and $2 million, according to various sources. This significant decrease from his previously reported net worth of $10 million can be attributed to the recent legal developments surrounding him.
In April 2025, a New York jury awarded $1.68 billion in damages to 40 women who accused Toback of sexual abuse spanning over three decades. This verdict is one of the largest jury awards in New York state history and has likely had a substantial impact on his financial standing. Given these circumstances, Toback’s financial situation appears to have been severely affected, leading to the revised net worth estimates.
Early Life and Education
James Lee Toback was born on November 23, 1944, in Manhattan, New York City, into a Jewish family. His father, Irwin Lionel Toback, served as the vice president of Dreyfus Corporation, while his mother, Selma Judith Levy, was the president of the League of Women Voters and a political debate moderator on NBC. Growing up in The Majestic, a prestigious building in New York, Toback was exposed to a world of privilege and intellectual discourse. He attended Harvard University, graduating summa cum laude in 1966, and served as an editor for The Harvard Crimson .
Career Beginnings
Toback’s entry into the film industry was unconventional. After a brief stint teaching English at City College of New York, he developed a gambling addiction. His break came through an assignment from Esquire magazine to write about football legend and actor Jim Brown. This led to an extended stay at Brown’s Hollywood Hills home, where Toback immersed himself in the world of Hollywood. Drawing from this experience, he authored Jim: The Author’s Self-Centered Memoir of the Great Jim Brown (1971), a book that combined personal anecdotes with insights into Brown’s life .
Rise to Prominence
Toback’s screenwriting debut came with The Gambler (1974), a semi-autobiographical film that garnered attention for its raw portrayal of addiction. His directorial debut, Fingers (1978), starring Harvey Keitel, showcased his unique storytelling style and earned critical acclaim. Over the years, Toback directed several films, including Love and Money (1982), Exposed (1983), The Pick-Up Artist (1987), and Two Girls and a Guy (1997). His screenplay for Bugsy (1991) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay .
Documentary Work and Later Projects
In addition to narrative films, Toback ventured into documentary filmmaking. His 2008 documentary Tyson, which delved into the life of boxer Mike Tyson, was featured at the Cannes Film Festival and won a prize in the festival’s Un Certain Regard section. He also co-produced and directed Seduced and Abandoned (2013), a documentary that explored the challenges of financing a film in Hollywood, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival .
Sexual Misconduct Allegations on James Toback
Toback’s career was overshadowed by numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault. In 2017, The Los Angeles Times reported that 395 women had accused him of such misconduct over a 40-year period. The allegations detailed incidents where Toback would approach women under the guise of offering film roles, only to engage in inappropriate behavior. Toback denied all allegations, stating he had not met the women or had only brief encounters with them .
In December 2022, a civil lawsuit was filed against Toback in New York, involving 40 of his accusers. On April 9, 2025, a verdict was reached, ordering Toback to pay $1.68 billion to the women involved in the lawsuit .
Personal Life
Toback’s personal life has been marked by both public and private relationships. He married Consuelo Sarah Churchill Vanderbilt Russell in April 1968, but the marriage ended in divorce. Later, he married Stephanie Kempf, who had edited his first documentary, The Big Bang (1989) .
Legacy
James Toback’s legacy is a complex tapestry of cinematic achievement and personal controversy. While his films contributed to the landscape of American cinema, his personal conduct has left a lasting impact on the industry. The $1.68 billion verdict serves as a significant moment in Hollywood’s ongoing reckoning with issues of sexual misconduct and accountability.
More articles
