Tina Fey has established herself as one of the most successful comedians, writers, and producers in Hollywood. From Saturday Night Live (SNL) to 30 Rock and Mean Girls, her successful career is packed with high-profile projects. In this article, we’ll explore Tina Fey’s net worth in 2024 and how she built her fortune.
We'll also dive into her collaborations with best friend Amy Poehler, her marriage to Jeff Richmond, and comparisons to other comedy giants.
From 1997 to 2006, Fey contributed to some of the show's most iconic sketches and moments, working closely with other comedy greats like Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, and Jimmy Fallon.
Starting as a writer, she became a cast member in 2000, co-anchoring Weekend Update alongside Fallon, further boosting her profile and income. While exact figures from her SNL days aren’t public, cast members typically earn between $7,000 to $25,000 per episode depending on their tenure. Given her dual role as head writer and cast member, Fey likely earned significantly more than the average cast member.
Her success on SNL set the stage for even larger career moves, including her eventual transition into creating and starring in 30 Rock.
The show was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple Emmy Awards, and Fey's portrayal of Liz Lemon became iconic. In addition to her acting salary, Fey's work as a writer and executive producer meant she earned royalties and backend profits from the show. By Season 5, her per-episode salary had reached a reported $500,000, translating to $11.5 million for a 23-episode season.
Additionally, she was instrumental in negotiating the sale of the series to various platforms, further adding to her wealth. Fey's time on 30 Rock not only contributed to her financial success but cemented her as one of Hollywood’s most powerful creators.
Tina Fey wrote and starred in the 2004 hit Mean Girls, a film that has since become a cultural phenomenon. The movie, which grossed over $130 million worldwide on a modest $17 million budget, showcased Fey's sharp, comedic writing style and ability to connect with younger audiences. While her exact paycheck for Mean Girls is undisclosed, her role as both screenwriter and supporting actor would have secured her a significant share of the profits. The success of the film led to a Broadway adaptation, which further added to Fey’s earnings.
In 2024, Fey is set to release a Mean Girls musical movie, which revisits the iconic characters with a modern twist. In addition to Mean Girls, Fey has starred in other successful films such as Baby Mama (2008), Date Night (2010), and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016), all of which added to her impressive box office resume and helped her earn millions more in Hollywood.
After 30 Rock, Tina Fey continued her television success with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a comedy series she co-created with Robert Carlock. Originally developed for NBC, the show was picked up by Netflix, where it ran for four critically acclaimed seasons from 2015 to 2019. Fey's role as co-creator, executive producer, and occasional guest star on the show added another lucrative stream of income. While Netflix tends to keep financial details under wraps, industry estimates suggest that show creators like Fey could earn anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 per episode, especially for a series with the popularity and critical acclaim of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In addition to the series itself, Netflix produced a one-off interactive special, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend, further adding to Fey’s earnings.
Her relationship with Netflix has only strengthened over the years; her upcoming project The Four Seasons will also premiere on the platform, with Fey once again serving as creator, executive producer, and star. Netflix’s global reach and high budgets have allowed Fey to continue expanding her influence and income in the streaming era, ensuring her place as one of the highest-paid women in television.
Tina Fey was born on May 18, 1970, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to a supportive and creative family. Her parents, Donald and Jeanne Fey, nurtured her early interest in comedy by exposing her to classic shows like Saturday Night Live and Second City Television. Growing up, Fey admired comedic talents like Catherine O'Hara, who became a major influence on her. This early immersion in the world of sketch comedy planted the seeds for Fey’s future career.
During high school, Fey excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. She was an active member of the drama club, where she first began developing her love for performance. Additionally, Fey contributed to the school newspaper, sharpening her writing skills—an ability that would become a key factor in her later success as a writer and comedian. These formative experiences provided a strong foundation for her future in entertainment.
Fey went on to study drama at the University of Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1992. Her talent and dedication earned her the prestigious Pettway Prize in Drama. Her time at university helped her hone both her performance and writing abilities, providing her with the tools to excel in the competitive world of comedy.
After college, Fey moved to Chicago, where she joined the renowned Second City comedy troupe, a launching pad for many comedic greats. Her time there refined her improvisational skills and led to her breakthrough role as a writer for Saturday Night Live. Fey's quick rise at SNL, where she eventually became the head writer, marked the beginning of a highly successful career that includes iconic projects like 30 Rock, Mean Girls, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Her diverse skill set—acting, writing, and producing—along with her ability to create memorable comedic characters, has made Tina Fey a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. In addition to her screen success, she authored the best-selling memoir Bossypants and secured lucrative endorsement deals, all contributing to her impressive net worth of $75 million.
Tina Fey is married to Jeff Richmond, a composer who created many musical themes for the TV show 30 Rock. The couple met at The Second City in Chicago, where both were part of the city's famous comedy scene. After dating for seven years, they tied the knot in a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony on June 3, 2001. Since then, they have become parents to two daughters: Alice Zenobia Richmond, born on September 10, 2005, and Penelope Athena Richmond, born on August 10, 2011. In April 2009, Fey and Richmond purchased a $3.4 million apartment on the Upper West Side of New York City, marking their continued success and presence in the entertainment industry.
Fey has a small but noticeable scar on the left side of her chin and cheek, which has sparked curiosity over the years. In a January 2009 Vanity Fair interview, Richmond disclosed that Fey received the scar as a result of a slashing incident that occurred when she was just five years old, a traumatic event she rarely discusses.
In addition to her stellar career in comedy, Fey has also been actively involved in philanthropic work. She is an advocate for Autism Speaks, an organization that funds research into autism and promotes resources for individuals and families. Fey has also highlighted the value of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) for those with autism, emphasizing how these animals can provide comfort, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional well-being. In April 2008, she participated in Night of Too Many Stars, a star-studded comedy benefit aimed at raising funds for the education of children with autism. Additionally, Fey supports Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian organization focused on ending world hunger. She narrated a video for the Mercy Corps Action Center in New York, emphasizing how hunger is a symptom of larger global issues like poverty and conflict.
Fey's philanthropic reach extends to her involvement with Love Our Children USA, an organization that fights child abuse. In 2009, the group recognized her as one of the "Mothers Who Made a Difference." The same year, she became the national spokesperson for the Light the Night Walk, an initiative that benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Her charitable efforts reflect her desire to use her platform for greater causes beyond entertainment.
In June 2010, it was announced that Fey would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011, a testament to her enduring impact on both comedy and television. However, as of now, the ceremony for her star has yet to take place. Despite the delay, Fey remains one of the most influential and beloved figures in American pop culture, balancing her professional success with a strong commitment to family and charitable work.
Amy Poehler Net Worth: Fey’s longtime collaborator and best friend, Amy Poehler, has an estimated net worth of $30 million as of 2024.
Steve Carell Net Worth: The Office star has a net worth of $80 million in 2024.
Maya Rudolph Net Worth: Another SNL alum, Rudolph’s net worth is around $20 million.
Will Arnett Net Worth: Fey’s frequent co-star and Poehler’s ex-husband, Arnett, has a net worth of $20 million.
Jerry Seinfeld Net Worth: As a comparison, Seinfeld creator and comedian Jerry Seinfeld's net worth dwarfs Fey’s, at around $950 million.
Kevin Hart Net Worth: Hart, one of the most bankable comedians today, has a staggering net worth of $450 million.
Tina Fey was born on May 18, 1970, which makes her 54 years old as of 2024.
Tina Fey stands at 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall.
Tina Fey doesn’t have an active personal Instagram account, though fan accounts often share updates about her professional life and public appearances. Fey tends to keep her personal life private and doesn't post frequently on social media.
Tina Fey is of Greek, German, and Scottish descent, with her mother being Greek and her father having German and Scottish heritage.