Playing Batman is one of the most lucrative gigs in Hollywood, spawning property empires worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Beyond multimillion-dollar movie salaries, the actors who played the Dark Knight have built staggering real estate portfolios spanning private ranches, Italian villas, and high-security LA compounds.

Here is how the Caped Crusaders traded superhero fame for real estate fortunes.

George Clooney

Stepping into the cowl for 1997’s Batman & Robin, George Clooney leveraged his Hollywood stardom into a $150m ($US100m) global property portfolio alongside his wife Amal.

Their crown jewel is Villa Oleander on Italy’s Lake Como, snapped up in 2002 for $45m ($US30m).

The couple’s holdings also include a $22.2m ($US14.7m) New York City condo, a $19.6m ($US13m) UK manor, and a $12.5m ($US8.3m) French estate.

In 1992, Clooney bought a Studio City mansion from rock legend Stevie Nicks for $3.3m ($US2.2m), before selling it in 2024 to NFL star Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo for $22m ($US14.5m).

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1997. Actor George Clooney in the film 'Batman and Robin'. Picture: Supplied

George Clooney stepped into the cowl for 1997’s Batman & Robin. Picture: Supplied

The Oscar-winner and wife Amal own a global property portfolio worth $US100 million. Picture: Annalisa Ranzoni/Getty Images

Clooney’s most famous home is the Villa Oleander on Italy’s Lake Como, which he snapped up in 2002 for $US30 million ($A45 million). Picture: Getty

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman in the DCEU generated more than $35m ($US23m) in total compensation, but his property portfolio reached new heights following a $600m ($US400m) tech sale to Netflix.

In 2009, Affleck and ex-wife Jennifer Garner bought a Pacific Palisades compound for $17.55m ($US11.6m), later selling it to Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine for $32m ($US21.2m) in 2018.

Affleck later bought a $19m ($US12.6m) Palisades mansion in 2018, listing it four years later and locking in a $29.995m ($US19.9m) sale inside a fortnight.

After closing on a $61m ($US40.4m) Beverly Hills estate with Jennifer Lopez in 2023, Affleck bought a separate $20.5m ($US13.6m) Palisades home next door to Diane Keaton in July 2024.

Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman in the DCEU generated more than $US23m in total compensation

The actor’s property portfolio reached new heights following a $US400m tech sale to Netflix. Carlo Paloni/Getty Images)

Aflleck and Lopez publicly listed their Beverly Hills mega mansion for $US68 million

Afflleck and Lopez publicly listed their Beverly Hills mega mansion for $US68 million. Picture: Realtor

Christian Bale

Starring in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy earned Christian Bale $54m ($US36m) in salary and bonuses, which he channelled into prime Los Angeles real estate.

Bale lives in LA’s elite Brentwood Park enclave, where he bought an $8.8m ($US5.8m) mansion in 2017.

He also holds an $13.5m ($US8.9m) 8.5-acre ranch in Brentwood purchased in 2008, alongside a Santa Monica home bought with wife Sibi in 2001 for $1.765m ($US1.17m).

timeOUT: The Dark Knight Rises 2012. Final movie in Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy. HEATH LEDGER as The Joker and CHRISTIAN BALE as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures� and Legendary Pictures� action drama �The Dark Knight.� TM & � DC Comics. PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE USED SOLELY FOR ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, PUBLICITY OR REVIEWS OF THIS SPECIFIC MOTION PICTURE AND TO REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE STUDIO. NOT FOR SALE OR REDISTRIBUTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starring in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy earned Christian Bale $US36m in salary and bonuses.

Christian & Sibi Bale Join Community Leaders For Ribbon-Cutting Celebrating The Launch Of Together California

Bale channelled his fortune into prime Los Angeles real estate. Picture: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Together California

Bale’s home in LA’s elite Brentwood Park enclave. Picture: Google Maps

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer took over the cowl in 1995’s Batman Forever, pulling in $10m ($US7m) at the peak of his box-office powers.

Kilmer invested his Hollywood fortune into a sprawling 6000-acre New Mexico ranch featuring a log home and custom treehouse.

Financial strain and a costly divorce forced Kilmer to put the entire estate on the market for $47m ($US31m).

In 2011, he was forced to sell the property to a Texas tycoon for $26.8m ($US17.7m) – almost half his original asking price.

USA actor Val Kilmer in costume as Batman in scene from film

Val Kilmer took over the cowl in 1995’s Batman Forever.

FILE: Actor Val Kilmer Dies At Age 65 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar Party - Arrivals

At the time of his death, Kilmer had a net worth of $US10 million. Picture: Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Kilmer, spent much of his adult life living on a ranch on the Pecos River in New Mexico. Picture: Realtor

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton earned $7m ($US5m) for his 1989 debut as Bruce Wayne, before scoring $15m ($US11m) for Batman Returns.

The Golden Globe winner famously turned down a $21m ($US15m) offer for Batman Forever, citing the script “sucked” and creative differences with director Joel Schumacher.

Keaton used his earnings to buy a Pacific Palisades home for $1.8m ($US1.2m) in 1987.

In Santa Barbara, he purchased a $2.1 million ($US1.5 million) home in 1989, selling it for $4.4 million ($US3.1 million) in 2011.

The Beetlejuice star currently holds a Montana ranch alongside a $12.6m ($US8.3m) Summerland property.

Undated. Batman movie starring Michael Keaton. Picture: Supplied

Michael Keaton earned $US5 million for his 1989 debut as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Picture: Supplied

Keaton used his earnings to buy a Pacific Palisades home for $US1.2m in 1987. Picture: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson received $3m ($US2m) upfront for starring in 2022’s The Batman, building on a fortune made during his blockbuster Twilight era.

In 2011, Pattinson paid $6.3m ($US4.1m) for a 1.5-acre Los Feliz estate formerly owned by ER star Noah Wyle, featuring a 150-seat media room and a koi pond. He sold the home to actor Jim Parsons in 2014 for $6.37m ($US4.2m).

Pattinson later bought a $2.1765m ($US1.44m) gated Hollywood Hills home in 2014, selling it in December 2023 for $3m ($US2m).

He bought a $5.3m ($US3.5m) Hollywood Hills property with partner Suki Waterhouse in early 2023.

The Batman starring Robert Pattinson

The actor received $US2m upfront as The Caped Crusader. Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images

Pattinson bought a $US3.5m Hollywood Hills property with partner Suki Waterhouse in early 2023. Picture: Google Earth

Supplied Editorial Adam West, the original Batman, has died aged 88.

Adam West (left) in the 1960s TV show Batman

FILE - 2017 JUNE 10: Actor Adam West, 88, famous for his role in the 1960s TV show 'Batman' has died after a short fight with leukemia. E FILE PHOTO (FILE) TV's Batman actor Adam West dies at 88 2016 New York Comic Con - Day 1

West bought a famous mid-century estate in the Old Las Palmas neighbourhood of Palm Springs in 1970. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Adam West

The original TV Caped Crusader of the 1960s was paid $US2,000 per episode, missing out on billions in merchandise royalties due to contract loopholes.

Despite missing the modern movie paydays, Adam West bought a famous mid-century estate in the Old Las Palmas neighbourhood of Palm Springs in 1970.

Renovated by architect Albert Frey and recently reimagined with a jet-black “Bat Cave” palette, the 3-bedroom estate sold privately for $3.515m ($US2.3m) in 2023.

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