Net Worth Ranker
What Is Joel McHale’s Net Worth?
Joel McHale, an American comedian, actor, and television personality, has accumulated a net worth of $14 million. This substantial wealth is primarily attributed to his successful career in television, film, and comedy. He gained widespread recognition as the host of E!’s “The Soup” and for his starring role in the NBC sitcom “Community.” His diverse portfolio of work across different media has solidified his financial standing.
Early Career and “The Soup” Years
Born on November 20, 1971, in Rome, Italy, where his father worked at Loyola University Rome Center, Joel McHale’s journey to fame began in the Seattle area. He graduated from Mercer Island High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in History and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington in 1995. This educational background laid the groundwork for his future career in entertainment. Before achieving national prominence, McHale was part of the “Almost Live!” cast, a local sketch-comedy television show produced by Seattle’s KING-TV (Channel 5). He also participated in Theatersports! with the improv comedy group Unexpected Productions at the Market Theater in Pike Place Market, Seattle from 1993 to 1997.
McHale’s television career took off when he began hosting “The Soup” in 2004. As the host, writer, and executive producer of the satirical E! series, McHale played a pivotal role in its success, which ran for 618 episodes until 2015. While specific details about his initial salary on “The Soup” are not publicly available, his income significantly increased as the show gained popularity. By the end of the show’s run, McHale was earning $2 million per year for his work on “The Soup”. His role involved recapping various moments in contemporary pop culture with a distinctive sardonic edge, making him a household name.
“Community” and Further Television Success
In 2009, Joel McHale secured his most significant television role on the NBC sitcom “Community,” where he portrayed Jeff Winger, a disbarred lawyer who enrolls at Greendale Community College. “Community” aired for six seasons, concluding in 2015. McHale’s salary on “Community” reached $60,000 per episode at his peak, contributing substantially to his net worth. The show’s critical acclaim and growing fanbase allowed him to command a high per-episode fee, reflective of his value to the series.
Following “Community,” McHale continued to expand his television career, appearing in various shows and hosting events. From 2016 to 2018, he had a recurring role on “The X-Files” revival and starred in the CBS sitcom “The Great Indoors” as magazine publisher Jack Gordon. In 2018, McHale debuted his own talk show, “The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale,” on Netflix, which combined celebrity interviews with pop culture sketches and video clips. Although the exact financial details of these projects are not publicly disclosed, they undoubtedly contributed to his overall income.
In 2019, McHale took on the role of host for the reboot of the game show “Card Sharks,” adding another income stream to his portfolio. Two years later, he hosted the competition series “Crime Scene Kitchen.” Other television credits include episodes of “Mr. Iglesias,” “Black-ish,” “Dummy,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “American Housewife.” He also had a recurring role as Sylvester Pemberton in the first two seasons of “Stargirl,” before becoming a series regular in season three, further diversifying his television roles and income sources.
Film Career
McHale’s film career began with a minor role in “Spider-Man 2” in 2004. He later appeared in “Lords of Dogtown” and “Mini’s First Time.” In 2008, he voiced the character Elliot in “Open Season 2.” A significant supporting role came in 2009 with “The Informant!,” starring Matt Damon, where McHale played FBI Special Agent Robert Herndon. Although the specific salary details for these early film roles are not publicly available, they marked the beginning of his presence in the film industry.
Subsequent film appearances included roles in “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World,” “What’s Your Number?,” “The Big Year,” and “Ted.” In 2014, McHale played the ex-husband of Drew Barrymore’s character in the comedy “Blended.” He was also in “Deliver Us from Evil,” “Adult Beginners,” and “A Merry Friggin’ Christmas” that year. In 2018, he appeared in “Assassination Nation,” “A Futile and Stupid Gesture,” “Game Over, Man!,” and “The Happytime Murders.” In 2020, he voiced Johnny Cage in “Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge,” and reprised the role in “Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms” in 2021. His other film credits include “Becky,” “Happily,” and “Queenpins.” While exact salaries for these film roles are not publicly available, they have contributed incrementally to his financial success, boosting Joel McHale’s net worth over time.
Real Estate Investments
Joel McHale’s real estate investments have also played a role in his net worth. In 2007, Joel and Sara McHale purchased a home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles for $1.88 million. They sold this property in September 2016 for $2.55 million, after listing it for $2.4 million in August 2016, resulting in a profit of $670,000. In 2009, the McHales acquired a modest home in Sammamish, Washington, for $500,000. In October 2014, they purchased a gated mansion in Studio City, California, for $5.15 million. These real estate transactions reflect strategic investments that have added to his wealth.
Personal Life
In 1996, Joel McHale married Sarah Williams. Together, they have two sons, Isaac and Eddie, and reside in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. McHale discovered he also has dyslexia following his sons’ diagnoses. McHale is a football fan and supports the Seattle Seahawks. He is also a fan of the Los Angeles Gladiators esports team. McHale attends a Presbyterian church and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. These personal details provide a glimpse into McHale’s life outside of his professional endeavors, but they do not directly impact his net worth.
Additional Ventures and Income
In 2018 Joel hosted 18 episodes of a Soup-like show for Netflix called “The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale”. While specific financial terms were not disclosed, it’s likely he was well compensated, given his established reputation. Joel has appeared in a number of major film, including 2009’s “The Informant!”, 2012’s “Ted”, and 2018’s “The Happytime Murders”. All of these works contribute positively to Joel McHale’s net worth.
