By Emmie Martin

Best known for his roles in movies such as "National Treasure" and "Leaving Las Vegas," Nicolas Cage was once a top earner in Hollywood, worth US$150 million (S$198.1 million).

But Cage didn't hold on to his fortune for long. He squandered it away on a string of expensive and often eccentric purchases, eventually facing foreclosure on several properties and owing the IRS US$6.3 million in property taxes.

Now worth around US$25 million, Cage is taking roles left and right to help pay off his debts.

As chronicled in CNBC's "The Filthy Rich Guide," here's a glimpse at some of Cage's craziest purchases.

(Photo credits: CNBC, Crankhandle, Internet, Reuters, The Independent UK, Wikimedia Commons,&nbsp;Judit Pungor)

Cage once owned 15 residences, including a US$25 million (S$33 million) waterfront home in Newport Beach, California.

A US$15.7 million countryside estate in Newport, Rhode Island.

A US$8.5 million abode in Las Vegas.

He also purchased, for $3.4 million, the infamous LaLaurie mansion in New Orleans, known as one of the most haunted houses in America. 

He purchased Schloss Neidstein, a castle in Etzelwang, Germany, for US$2.3 million.

And Midford Castle in Bath, UK, for US$10 million.

US$3 million got him a deserted island in the Bahamas. 

He also sprung for a nine-foot-tall burial tomb.

And even bought shrunken pygmy heads.

He blew US$450,000 on the late shah of Iran's Lamborghini.

And another US$150,000 on a pet octopus. 

He spent yet another US$150,000 on the first Superman comic. 

Allegedly, Cage also once outbid fellow actor Leonardo DiCaprio for a 7-million-year-old dinosaur skull. The US$276,000 artifact turned out to be stolen, however, and Cage had to return it to the Mongolian government. 

CNBC

By Emmie Martin Best known for his roles in movies such as "National Treasure" and "Leaving Las Vegas," Nicolas Cage was once a top earner in Hollywood, worth US$150 million (S$198.1 million). But Cage didn't hold on to his fortune for long. He squandered it away on a string of expensive and often eccentric purchases, eventually facing foreclosure on several...

Nicolas Cage once blew US$150 million on a private island and a dinosaur skull - here's everything he bought