Comedians
Ellen DeGeneres Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $500 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 68 |
| Born: | January 26, 1958 |
| Gender: | Female |
| Height: | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional TV Host/Comedian |
| Last Updated: | May 12, 2026 |
Introduction
Ellen DeGeneres is an American professional comedian and talk show host with an estimated net worth of $500 Million.
DeGeneres is one of the most well-known comedians of our time. She has achieved significant success over the last decade through her talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Through the years that the show has been on the air, it has won over 80 awards. Besides being a comedian, Ellen is also a writer, producer, and actress.
Quick Facts
- Typically earns between $70 million and $85 million annually
- Peak annual earnings of $87.5 million in 2018
Before Wealth & Fame
Ellen DeGeneres began her career by performing stand-up comedy at small clubs in the early 1980s and was the MC at Clyde’s Comedy Club. She began touring shortly after with some of the funniest stand-up comedians of all time, and in 1984 was named Showtime’s Funniest Person in America.
DeGeneres landed her first regular TV role in the Fox sitcom Open House, before being cast in Laurie Hill. While that series only lasted four episodes, producers brought DeGeneres back to star in the pilot for These Friends of Mine. However, after being inspired by her comedy career, the show was renamed Ellen and proved incredibly popular.
Comedy Career
Starting in 1994, Ellen was often referred to as the “female Seinfeld.” Later on, DeGeneres came out as a lesbian on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her coming-out episode ended up being one of the highest-rated episodes of the show, but after its fifth season, the ratings began to drop. DeGeneres returned to TV in 2001 with the CBS sitcom The Ellen Show, although it was canceled after just 13 episodes. Following these sitcom appearances, Ellen focused all of her energy on becoming a successful talk show host on NBC.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
In September 2003, The Ellen DeGeneres Show was launched as one of the many celebrity-hosted shows of the time. However, unlike others, DeGeneres’ show consistently rose in the Nielsen Ratings and received widespread critical praise. During its first season, the show was nominated for 12 Daytime Emmy Awards, winning four, including the award for Best Talk Show.
In total, The Ellen DeGeneres Show won 25 Emmy Awards in its first three seasons, proving its immense success. On her show, Ellen was known for dancing with her audience members and giving away prizes and trips. Ellen celebrated the 1000th episode of her show in May 2009 with celebrity guests including Paris Hilton and Oprah Winfrey.
For her 2,000th show in 2015, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake made surprise appearances to celebrate. In 2021, Ellen announced her talk show would end after its 19th season the following year, with its final episode airing on May 26, 2022.
Earnings History
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2010 | $55,000,000 |
| 2011 | $45,000,000 |
| 2012 | $53,000,000 |
| 2013 | $56,000,000 |
| 2014 | $70,000,000 |
| 2015 | $75,000,000 |
| 2016 | $75,000,000 |
| 2017 | $77,000,000 |
| 2018 | $87,500,000 |
| 2019 | $80,500,000 |
| 2020 | $84,000,000 |
| Total | $758,000,000 |
Between 2010 and 2020, Ellen DeGeneres was consistently ranked among the highest-paid television hosts, earning anywhere between $45 million and $87.5 million annually through all her endeavors. Her income was primarily generated through The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which, in the latter half of the decade, reportedly earned her between $50 million and $60 million annually. Her other income sources included her production company, A Very Good Production, which she formed in 2003, as well as paychecks from her real estate investments and film salaries.
In the first few years of the 2010s, Ellen typically earned between $45 million and $55 million annually. However, in 2014, The Ellen DeGeneres Show had become one of the top three most-watched shows on daytime television in the United States. That year, her earnings increased to an estimated $70 million. From then until 2018, Ellen’s annual income gradually increased, reaching a peak of $87.5 million in 2018. In the two years that followed, she earned $80.5 million and $84 million, respectively.
Additional Projects
Ellen DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul during the ninth season of American Idol but left after one season, saying it wasn’t the right fit for her.
In 2017, she began hosting Ellen’s Game of Games, which ran for four seasons until it was canceled in 2022. She has also gained prominence by appearing in numerous films, including Finding Nemo in 2003, where she voiced the fan-favorite character Dory.
DeGeneres reprised her role as Dory in 2016 in the film Finding Dory, which grossed $1 billion worldwide as the third-highest-grossing film of the year. Ellen also has her own lifestyle brand, ED by Ellen, which she launched in the summer of 2015, as well as her own record label, eleveneleven. She has also served as the commercial spokesperson for numerous brands, including American Express, CoverGirl, J.C. Penney, and Walmart.
Allegations Of Bullying
In July 2020, ten former employees of The Ellen DeGeneres Show came forward and accused the comedian of creating a toxic workplace atmosphere. Some of the allegations include racist microaggressions towards employees of color, firing employees for medical leave, and failing to address sexual harassment. This story went viral after being published on BuzzFeed, and several other people came forward to talk about their experiences with DeGeneres.
An internal investigation was launched by Warner Bros. Entertainment shortly after, and Ellen issued an apology to her staff, vowing to change the culture. However, despite this hiccup, Ellen has remained one of the richest comedians in the world, and this seems unlikely to change anytime soon.
Real Estate
Throughout her career, Ellen DeGeneres has invested heavily in real estate, frequently purchasing properties and reselling them for a substantial profit. It’s estimated that Ellen and her wife have earned more than $100 million through real estate investments. While it would be impossible to list every single one of their property acquisitions, we’ve covered the couple’s most important real estate transactions below.
Ennisbrook Montecito Home
In September 2017, Ellen paid $7.2 million for a 3,129-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home situated on a 5.96-acre lot. She sold the property for $11 million less than a year later in May 2018.
Montecito Compound
In January 2019, the couple paid $27 million for a 1,674-square-foot, four-bedroom, ten-bathroom mansion in Montecito, California. They relisted the property just over a year later with an asking price of $39.9 million, but ultimately sold it for $33.3 million.
Comedians
David Spade Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $70 Million |
|---|---|
| Box Office Gross: | $2.58 Billion |
| Age: | 61 |
| Born: | July 22, 1964 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Actor/Comedian |
| Last Updated: | May 12, 2026 |
Introduction
David Spade is an American professional comedian, Actor, TV personality, and writer with an estimated net worth of $70 Million.
Quick Facts
- Earned a peak of $300,000 per episode from Just Shoot Me!
- Received $150,000 per episode for starring in Rules of Engagement
Just Shoot Me! Salary
In 1997, David Spade was cast as Dennis Finch in the sitcom Just Shoot Me!, marking his first recurring role on television. Spade starred in all seven seasons and 149 episodes of the show. According to reports, he was earning $150,000 per episode in the earlier seasons. By season five, his salary had been increased to $300,000 per episode.
Based on the information above, Spade potentially earned $6.6 million apiece for seasons five and six, followed by $7.2 million for the seventh and final season. Now, assuming that the $150,000-per-episode figure relates to seasons one through four (which is somewhat unlikely), Spade would have earned roughly $12.15 million. This brings his total earnings from Just Shoot Me! to an estimated $32.5 million.
Rules of Engagement Salary
In the late 2000s, Spade secured his iconic role as Russell Dunbar in the sitcom Rules of Engagement. Starring alongside the likes of Patrick Warburton, Megyn Price, Oliver Hudson, and Bianca Kajlich, reports suggest that he earned $150,000 per episode at the peak of the show’s success.
That doesn’t give us a whole lot to go on, especially since there were seven seasons, each varying in length. Season five comprised 24 episodes, which could have earned him $3.6 million, while the final season seven comprised just 13 episodes.
Highest-Grossing Movies
Spade is another of Adam Sandler’s friends who starred in all three Hotel Transylvania films and two Grown Ups films. The Transylvania trilogy comprises his three highest-grossing films, which have totaled $1.36 billion at the box office. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation grossed the most at the box office, earning $529 million, followed by the second installment at $475 million and the original movie at $358 million.
Fourth on the list was the original Grown Ups film, which grossed $271 million, quickly followed by the sequel, which grossed $247 million.
Since Spade’s most recent films, including The Do-Over (2016), Father of the Year (2018), and The Wrong Missy (2020), have been Netflix exclusives, none have been released in theaters.
Here’s a complete list of David Spade’s ten highest-grossing movies:
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – $529 Million (2018)
- Hotel Transylvania 2 – $475 Million (2015)
- Hotel Transylvania – $358 Million (2012)
- Grown Ups – $271 Million (2010)
- Grown Ups 2 – $247 Million (2013)
- I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry – $187 Million (2007)
- The Emperor’s New Groove – $170 Million (2000)
- Jack and Jill – $150 Million (2011)
- The Rugrats Movie – $141 Million (1998)
- Racing Stripes – $91 Million (2005)
Real Estate
Beverly Hills Home
In December 2001, David Spade paid $4 million for a 7,000-square-foot, five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home in Beverly Hills, California. The property features amenities such as a spa, outdoor pool, and fire pits, and appears to have shot up in value since Spade acquired it, thanks to his extensive renovations. It was also in the news in 2017, when burglars broke in and stole a safe containing $80,000 in cash and jewelry.
In January 2022, after more than two decades of ownership, Sapde returned the property to the market, seeking just under $20 million. He closed a $19.5 million deal the following month. Even after accounting for property taxes (which had reached roughly $65,000 per year by the time of the sale) and agent commissions, Spade still likely profited eight figures.
Los Angeles Home
The biggest purchase Spade has ever made when it comes to real estate, both in terms of size and cost, was his 11,300-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles. The comedian paid $13.85 million for the six-bedroom, eleven-bathroom property in October 2021, and still owns it at the time of writing. Additionally, the home features amenities such as an infinity pool, a movie theatre, a sauna, a gym, a 1,200-bottle wine cellar, and walk-in closets.
Newport Beach Home
In December 2023, Spade paid $9.5 million for a newly-built, 3,813-square-foot, four-bedroom, five-bathroom property in Newport Beach, California. David still owns this home, which sits on a 7,500-square-foot lot and features ocean views from the second floor. According to Zillow, it currently has an estimated value of $10.3 million.
Comedians
Jim Gaffigan Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $30 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 57 |
| Born: | July 7, 1966 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Actor/Comedian |
| Last Updated: | February 10, 2024 |
Introduction
Jim Gaffigan is an American professional actor, comedian, writer, and producer with an estimated net worth of $30 Million.
Quick Facts
- Earned an estimated $90.5 million from 2016 to 2019
- Peak annual income of $30.5 million in 2017
Earnings History
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $12,500,000 |
| 2017 | $30,500,000 |
| 2018 | $17,500,000 |
| 2019 | $30,000,000 |
| Total | $90,500,000 |
Between 2016 and 2019, Forbes consistently ranked Jim Gaffigan among the world’s highest-paid comedians. He first made the list in 2016, earning an estimated $12.5 million that calendar year (June 2015 to June 2016). At the time, Gaffigan earned the majority of his income from stand-up comedy tours and performances, including the “Contagious” tour, which ran from July to September 2015.
However, the following year, Gaffigan’s annual income almost tripled to an estimated $30.5 million. According to Forbes, more than a third of this figure was earned from his Cinco Netflix special. Additionally, Gaffigan also performed at almost a dozen venues in July 2016 for his Fully Dressed Tour.
Jim appeared on the Forbes list twice more, earning approximately $17.5 million in 2018 and $30 million in 2019. This brings his total earnings from the four-year period to $90.5 million.
Comedy Specials
As we mentioned above, a significant portion of Jim Gaffigan’s annual income comes from his comedy specials. Gaffigan has released 12 specials across five platforms and often earns more than $10 million per special. While he doesn’t appear to have signed any long-term contracts with these networks (as far as we can tell), he can analyze all his past specials.
Gaffigan’s first three specials, including Comedy Central Presents: Jim Gaffigan (2000), Beyond the Pale (2005), and King Baby (2009), were all released on Comedy Central. The comedian initially published his fourth special, Mr. Universe, on his own website in 2012, before licensing it to Netflix. Two years later, Obsessed was released on Comedy Central and later made available on Netflix.
In 2016, Gaffigan continued his relationship with Netflix by releasing his latest comedy special, Cinco. As we’ve already mentioned, Forbes estimated that Jim earned more than $10 million from this special.
Towards the end of the decade and moving into the 2020s, Gaffigan released four specials on Amazon Prime Video, including:
- Noble Ape (2018)
- Quality Time (2019)
- The Pale Tourist (2020)
- Dark Pale (2023)
In between, he also released Comedy Monster on Netflix in 2021, and has since begun a relationship with Hulu, releasing The Skinny in 2024.
Highest-Grossing Movies
Here’s a complete list of Jim Gaffigan’s ten highest-grossing movies:
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – $529 million (2018)
- 17 Again – $136 million (2009)
- Three Kings – $108 million (1999)
- 13 Going on 30 – $96 million (2004)
- Hot Pursuit – $52 million (2015)
- Luca – $51 million (2021)
- Going the Distance – $42 million (2010)
- The Love Guru – $41 million (2008)
- Super Troopers 2 – $32 million (2018)
- Super Troopers – $23 million (2001)
Real Estate
According to reports, in 2020, Jim Gaffigan and his wife, Jeannie, paid $2.2 million for an 8,300-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Bedford Hills, New York. The property sits on 8 acres of land, and was a sizeable upgrade from their apartment in the city.
Comedians
Ken Jeong Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $14 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 56 |
| Born: | July 13, 1969 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Actor/Comedian |
| Last Updated: | May 12, 2026 |
Introduction
Ken Jeong is an American professional comedian, actor, and physician with an estimated net worth of $14 Million.
The Hangover Earnings
While Ken Jeong played a significant role as Mr. Chow in all three films in The Hangover trilogy, his salary for the first two has never been published in the media. However, for the third and final installment in the trilogy, he reportedly earned $5 million.
Highest-Grossing Movies
You might expect Jeong’s highest-performing films to be from The Hangover trilogy. While they’re on the list, they’re not responsible for his biggest box office successes. His three highest-grossing films have come from minor roles and cameos, including a brief appearance in Avengers: Endgame, which automatically added $2.8 billion to his box-office revenue. Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($1.12 billion) and Despicable Me 2 ($971 million) took second and third place.
As for The Hangover trilogy, the three films grossed a combined $1.41 billion globally. The Hangover Part II was the most successful, grossing $587 million, but it also had more than double the first film’s budget, which grossed $469 million. The Hangover Part II was the least successful, grossing just $362 million while costing $103 million to produce.
Here’s a complete list of Ken Jeong’s ten highest-grossing movies:
- Avengers: Endgame – $2.8 billion (2019)
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon – $1.12 billion (2011)
- Despicable Me 2 – $971 million (2013)
- The Hangover Part II – $587 million (2011)
- Despicable Me – $543 million (2010)
- The Hangover – $469 million (2009)
- Penguins of Madagascar – $374 million (2014)
- The Hangover Part III – $362 million (2013)
- Turbo – $283 million (2013)
- Crazy Rich Asians – $239 million (2018)
Real Estate
In September 2016, Ken Jeong paid $3.95 million for a 6,745-square-foot, four-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Calabasas, California. The property features multiple offices, a screening room, a 3,000-bottle wine cellar, and an outdoor pool. According to public records, there hasn’t been another sale since then, so Jeong most likely still owns the residence. It’s currently valued at $6.42 million.
Jeong also previously owned another home in Calabasas, featuring five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and 4,859 square feet of living space. It appears that he acquired the property for $1.635 million in June 2010 and sold it for $2.4 million a year after buying his current house.
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Cammie Harris
Nov 23, 2019 at 7:17 pm
You are one of my favorite talk show host you have a true meaning to help people I love that I just want to say keep up the good work which I know you will Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you and your family and Happy New Year
Roseline b akoi
Dec 12, 2019 at 9:09 am
I love Ellen Degeneres and I want to be more then her!! And am going to work really hard
JoAnn Marcelino
Dec 31, 2019 at 6:30 pm
I truly enjoyed watching you special give away Christmas show. The one important thing I noticed about you— YOU have true feeling. That is sooo important in life. Happy New Year to you and your family!