American author, playwright, essayist, screenwriter, and political activist, Gore Vidal, has an estimated net worth of $30 million. The grandson of Oklahoma senator Thomas P. Gore, the controversial writer led a privileged, sheltered childhood. Often tiring of the expensive creature comforts surrounding him, Vidal spent much of his spare time at the movies. In his 1968 novel Myra Breckenridge, Vidal managed to weave both his undying passion for films and his fascination with same-sex relationships within the framework of an outrageous storyline.

Thanks to his erudite TV talk-show appearances in the 1960s and 1970s, Vidal has joined that special fraternity known as the celebrity novelist. He has acted in three films, playing himself in Fellini's Roma (1972) and extensions of himself in Bob Roberts (1993) and With Honors (1994). In 1997, he starred in the futuristic fantasy Gattaca. Remaining an indefatigable writer and essayist into the 1990s, Vidal has reiterated his love affair with movies on several occasions, notably in his 1992 volume Screening History and as contributor to Past Imperfect (1995), a book about Hollywood's slant on historical facts.

Like his grandfather, Thomas Gore (a Democratic Politian), Vidal is classed as a prominent political figure. In 1960, Vidal was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress, losing an election in New York’s 29th congressional district. However, Vidal went on to become one of the chairmen of the People’s Party from 1970-1972. Additionally, he campaigned against Jerry Brown for the Democratic primary election to the United States Senate from California.

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