What Is George Lopez’s Net Worth?
George Lopez, a prominent figure in American comedy, acting, and television hosting, has accumulated a net worth of $45 million. His financial success is primarily attributed to his multifaceted career, which includes stand-up comedy, acting roles, and hosting a late-night talk show.
Early Career and the Rise of “The George Lopez Show”
George Lopez’s journey to financial success began with years of performing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles and across the United States. His initial breakthrough in Los Angeles came from hosting a morning radio show on 92.3 FM, marking him as the first Latino to headline the morning drive slot on an English-language station in the city. This exposure helped him gain recognition and set the stage for his later ventures.
A significant turning point in Lopez’s career occurred in 2000 when Sandra Bullock approached him with the idea of producing and starring in a sitcom centered around a Latino family. This collaboration led to the creation of “The George Lopez Show,” which premiered on ABC in 2002. The series, which he co-created and executive produced, aired for six seasons, totaling 120 episodes, and remains a successful syndicated program. His salary for the sitcom was $12 million per season. As a first-time co-creator/executive producer, Lopez was entitled to 6.5% of royalties when the show was sold into syndication, which occurred in the fall of 2007. Syndication earned Lopez an estimated $20 million.
Beyond his sitcom, Lopez has also been involved in producing other projects, including the critically acclaimed film “Real Women Have Curves,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received the 2002 Audience Award. This film showcased his commitment to highlighting Latino stories and talent in the entertainment industry.
His career has also been supplemented by stand-up comedy tours. He earns an additional $8.5 million a year performing stand-up to sold-out crowds.
Television and Film Ventures
In addition to “The George Lopez Show,” Lopez has made numerous appearances in television and film, further contributing to his net worth. During the 2003–04 football season, Lopez was part of HBO’s popular show “Inside the NFL.” In 2005, Lopez got his first stand-up special on Showtime called “George Lopez: Why You Crying.” This marked the beginning of his foray into cable specials, including “America’s Mexican” and “Tall, Dark, and Chicano.”
In 2010, Lopez appeared in “The Spy Next Door.” Lopez has also appeared in the films “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” the Smurf films, and a number of others. He’s guest-starred on a number of television shows, including a stint as the mayor of Reno, Nevada, in season five of Reno 911! in 2008, as well as on “The Zoo,” “Real Rob,” and “Harley Quinn.”
Lopez ventured into late-night television with “Lopez Tonight,” which debuted on TBS in November 2009. However, the show was canceled in August 2011 after its second season. In March 2014, “Saint George” premiered on FX, but it was canceled in June of the same year. In March 2016, TV Land debuted the sitcom “Lopez,” which was canceled in the fall of 2017 after two seasons. He also released his comedy special “We’ll Do It For Half” on Netflix in 2020.
Lopez received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television in 2006 at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. In 2011, he won an ALMA Award for Lopez Tonight.
Real Estate and Personal Life Impact on Net Worth
George Lopez’s real estate investments have played a role in his financial portfolio. In 2001, George and his then-wife Ann paid $1.349 million for a home in LA’s Toluca Lake neighborhood. They sold this home in 2004 for $1.85 million. That same year, they paid $2.495 million for a new home in Toluca Lake. This activity demonstrated an ability to capitalize on real estate market trends.
However, his divorce from Ann Serrano in July 2011 had a significant impact on his net worth. During an appearance on Howard Stern in early 2014, Lopez revealed that he had lost half of his wealth in the divorce, reducing his net worth from over $50 million to the current $45 million. In 2011, in the wake of their divorce, George deeded the Toluca Lake home to Ann. Ann sold the home in December 2022 for $5.25 million to actress Jean Smart.
In September 2014, Lopez bought a $2.67 million home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. The 4,100-square-foot Mediterranean-style home has four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms and is on a gardened lot that’s about a third of an acre. The home has a pool and patio area in the backyard, as well as city views from two-story windows, a wine room, and a private master suite with a balcony. This purchase reflects his continued investment in real estate after his divorce.
Stand-Up Performances and Salary Milestones
George Lopez’s stand-up comedy career has been a consistent source of income throughout his career. The $8.5 million annual revenue from stand-up performances reflects his ability to draw large crowds to his shows. This income stream, combined with his earnings from television, film, and other ventures, contributes to his overall financial stability.
His career has been filled with many milestones. His first appearance on stage at the Comedy Store catapulted him into national fame. Lopez was the first Latino to ever host a major morning radio show in Los Angeles. In 2002, he became one of the few Latinos to headline a television sitcom.