Michael Richards is an American actor, comedian and producer who rose to fame for his portrayal of Cosmo Kramer on the NBC hit sitcom “Seinfeld”. He has also starred in numerous movies, done stand-up comedy tours, appeared on television shows and is active in philanthropy. In this blog post, we will explore how much money Michael Richards has earned throughout his career, as well as what his net worth stands at today.
Introduction to Michael Richards’ Career
Richards was born on July 24th, 1949 in Culver City, California. Growing up, he had a natural affinity for performing and comedic timing which he refined during college, where he became heavily involved with improvisational theater. After graduating from The Evergreen State College in Washington state, he moved back to Los Angeles and began doing stand-up routines while honing his craft as a professional actor.
Early Life & Comedy Career
Richards got his big break in 1985 when he landed a role on the ABC series “Bosom Buddies” starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari. Following that success, he continued appearing in various other television roles including playing Stanley Spadowski on “UHF” (1989) and even earning himself two Emmy Award nominations for his performance on “Cheers” (1990).
Breakthrough with ‘Seinfeld’
Richards received widespread acclaim for his breakout role as Cosmo Kramer in the NBC smash-hit sitcom “Seinfeld” which ran from 1989 – 1998. During its run, “Seinfeld” was one of the highest rated programs on TV and made stars out of its core cast members including Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis Dreyfus and Michael Richards. As such, Richards earned six Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 1991 – 1997.
Post-‘Seinfeld’ Work & Other Ventures
Since leaving “Seinfeld”, Richards has gone on to appear in many films such as “Beethoven’s 2nd” (1993), “Problem Child 3: Junior in Love” (1995) and “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” (2002). He has also toured extensively doing stand-up comedy routines around the US and Canada, often reuniting with fellow former co-stars from “Seinfeld”. Moreover, he has voiced characters on animated series such as “Family Guy” (2005) and “King of the Hill” (2008).
Movie Roles & Stand-Up Touring
In addition to acting and voice work, Richards has also tried his hand at producing with projects like the documentary film “Comic Book: The Movie” (2004) which he directed and narrated. Most recently, he returned to the stage with a tour featuring popular Las Vegas residencies alongside Larry David, George Wallace and Bob Zany.
Personal Life & Philanthropy
Away from showbiz, Richards is an avid art collector and staunch supporter of animal rights charities. For over 20 years he has been actively involved with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) helping promote humane treatment of animals everywhere. Additionally, he is known to have donated millions to charity over the course of his career.
Michael Richards’ Earnings Overview
Thanks to his acclaimed performances across a variety of mediums, it should come as no surprise that Michael Richards has accumulated quite a fortune over the years. His estimated salary per episode on “Seinfeld” alone was $600k+, not to mention royalties due to him whenever episodes are aired or rerun elsewhere. Add in movie salaries, lucrative endorsement deals, touring earnings and merchandise sales, and it becomes clear just why Michael Richards is so wealthy.
Net Worth Calculations
So exactly how much is Michael Richard’s net worth? Based on current estimates, his total wealth currently stands at roughly $50 million dollars! A substantial chunk of this comes from residual income generated through repeat airings of classic episodes of “Seinfeld”. But considering all of his varied accomplishments since then — from movies to stand-up comedy touring — it seems safe to assume this figure could rise substantially over time.
Conclusion
As you can see, Michael Richard’s immense talent has translated into both critical acclaim and financial rewards. With nearly 40 years under his belt in show business, there doesn’t seem to be any slowing down anytime soon. So if you ever find yourself wondering “what is Michael Richard’s net worth?”, you now know: $50 million dollars and counting!