Brett Dalton Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Brett Dalton is an American actor known for his breakthrough role as Grant Ward in the Marvel-TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..

Introduction

Brett Patrick Dalton, born January 7, 1983, celebrated each year on his birthday of January 7, has carved a résumé that spans television, film and video games. With an estimated net worth of approximately US $2 million to US $3 million, he has built his earnings largely through his acting work and media appearances.  In his personal life, Dalton had a public relationship and marriage with costume‐designer Melissa Trn, which ended in divorce, and he is a father.

Quick Facts

When a Stage Spark Became a Screen Breakthrough

Dalton’s journey is one of discipline and reinvention. Raised in San Jose, California, he first discovered his dramatic urge while at Westmont High School—auditioning for a production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and serving as student‐body president.  He then attended the University of California, Berkeley for his undergraduate, and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 2011. 

His early screen work included a role in the pilot for Nurses (2007) and guest turns on procedural dramas—before his big break. In 2012–13 he was cast as Agent Grant Ward on the Marvel‐backed series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the rest became a hallmark of his public identity. 

Defining moments in Brett Dalton’s journey include:

• Auditioning during high school and committing to acting early on.

• Earning an MFA from Yale, signalling a deep craft investment.

• Landing the role of Grant Ward/Hive and securing a broad audience.

• Expanding into video games and voice/motion capture (e.g., Until Dawn). 

• Transitioning to recurring roles in major network series (e.g., Chicago Fire, Found) which reflect sustained career momentum. 

The Foundation of Wealth

The core pillars of Brett Dalton’s wealth include:

While precise breakdowns are not public, sites such as Celebrity Net Worth list his net worth around US $2 million. 

Relationships & Family Life

Dalton’s public personal life has been relatively discreet but documented at key junctures:

• He began a romantic relationship with Melissa Trn, a costume designer and fellow Yale School of Drama alum. 

• The pair were married in December 2015 and share a daughter born in 2012. 

• On November 22, 2019, Dalton filed for divorce in Los Angeles after four years of marriage; the separation date was reported as August 1. 

Key insights into Brett Dalton’s relationships and personal life:

• His marriage intersected with the height of his Marvel‐TV fame, aligning personal and professional peaks.

• He has one child with his former spouse, underlining a father‐role alongside his career.

• Post‐divorce, he has maintained relative privacy about new romantic relationships in the public domain.

• His personal narrative underscores the challenge of balancing a high-visibility career with family life.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Brett Dalton leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• A residence in Los Angeles while active in film and television production. 

• Interests in theatre and craft: his training at Yale and early stage experience show enduring taste for serious acting work.

• Voicing characters in major video game titles, hinting at his appreciation for the intersection of performance and technology.

• Low‐key publicity around luxury assets (homes, cars) indicates a more modest approach compared with many Hollywood peers.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Estimating the components of Dalton’s net worth provides insight into how his career earnings accrue:

Analysis:
The largest driver of Brett Dalton’s wealth remains his acting roles, especially those tied to major franchises such as Marvel. While not at the billionaire or superstar tier, his estimated net worth underscores steady work rather than a single breakout payday. As his career matures—particularly with recurring roles and voice work—there is potential for compounding earnings.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

In the entertainment industry, Dalton is viewed as a craft actor who made a visible leap from stage training to commercial success. His portrayal of Grant Ward—a complex character evolving from trusted agent to double-agent villain—earned him recognition for depth and range. 

— Fans of the Marvel universe continue to associate him with the Ward/Hive identity, giving him a lasting pop-culture imprint.
— His voice work and motion capture performances (e.g., Until Dawn, God of War: Ragnarök) signal his versatility in newer media formats.
— Among peers, his path from Yale MFA to screen success exemplifies a disciplined, non-overnight style of ascent.
— Philanthropy or high-profile activism have not been major public aspects of his identity—his legacy is anchored more in performance than in public cause campaigns.

Conclusion

From his January 7, 1983 birthdate and early ambitions in a California high school drama class, Brett Dalton fashioned a career that bridged Ivy-League training and genre‐defining television. His estimated net worth of US $2 million to US $3 million reflects steady acting work, rather than flash wealth, and his personal narrative—marked by marriage, fatherhood and divorce—adds depth to his public story. His birthday each year serves as a quiet reminder of both where he started and the professional resilience he continues to embody.