What Is Stephen Root’s Net Worth?
Stephen Root, a prolific American actor renowned for his versatility across film, television, and voice acting, has accumulated a net worth of $6 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his extensive career spanning over 260 acting credits, including memorable roles in iconic productions.
Stephen Root’s Diverse Career and Income Streams
Root’s financial success is a testament to his consistent work in various entertainment mediums. A significant portion of his income has been generated from television roles. He gained widespread recognition and consistent paychecks for his portrayal of Jimmy James on the NBC sitcom “NewsRadio” (1995–1999), appearing in all 97 episodes. While specific salary figures for “NewsRadio” are not publicly available, starring roles in network sitcoms typically command substantial per-episode fees.
His voice acting work on the animated series “King of the Hill” (1997–2010) as Bill Dauterive and Buck Strickland also contributed significantly to his earnings. Voice actors can earn anywhere from a few thousand dollars per episode to tens of thousands for a well-established show, depending on their role and experience. Given Root’s dual roles on “King of the Hill” for over a decade, this would have been a steady and lucrative source of income.
In film, Root has played memorable characters in both critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects. His performance as Milton Waddams in the cult classic “Office Space” (1999) remains one of his most iconic roles. While his upfront salary for “Office Space” is not public, the film’s enduring popularity has likely led to residuals over the years.
His supporting roles in films such as “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000), “DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story” (2004), “No Country for Old Men” (2007), and “Get Out” (2017) have further added to his income. While supporting actors generally receive smaller paychecks than lead actors, consistent roles in high-profile films contribute significantly to an actor’s overall earnings. For example, while specific figures aren’t available, supporting roles in major studio films can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the actor’s profile and the size of the role.
Root’s more recent role as Monroe Fuches in the HBO series “Barry” (2018–present) has garnered critical acclaim and likely commands a substantial salary. HBO is known for paying its talent well, and Root’s significant role in a critically acclaimed series would contribute substantially to his earnings. While specific salary details are not public, lead and supporting actors in HBO series can earn tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode.
He also had a recurring role as Hawthorne Abendsen on the Amazon Prime Video series “The Man in the High Castle” from 2016 to 2019. Streaming services like Amazon Prime Video also offer competitive salaries to actors, and Root’s recurring role on the series would have added to his income.
Beyond these major roles, Root’s extensive filmography includes guest appearances on numerous television shows, voice work in animated films and series, and roles in smaller independent films. Each of these projects contributes to his overall income stream, albeit on a smaller scale.
Root also performed on Broadway, playing King Vaughnum III in “So Long on Lonely Street” (1986) and Frank Lubey in “All My Sons” (1987). Although Broadway roles typically do not provide the same level of financial compensation as film and television, they contribute to an actor’s overall career and reputation.
Assets and Investments of Stephen Root
While specific details about Stephen Root’s real estate holdings and investment portfolio are not publicly available, it is common for actors with his level of success to invest in real estate and other assets. Actors often diversify their investments to ensure long-term financial security.
In 2003, Stephen Root donated $100,000 to the University of Florida, which funded the Stephen Root Acting Studio. This significant donation shows a commitment to supporting the arts and education, and such philanthropic activities are sometimes considered as part of an individual’s overall financial picture.
While information regarding specific brand endorsements or commercial ventures is not available, many actors supplement their income through such activities. These endorsements and ventures can provide additional streams of revenue.
Although there is no publicly available information about Stephen Root owning a private plane or luxury car collection, it’s worth noting that high-net-worth individuals often possess such assets. However, without specific details, it is impossible to include this in the assessment of his net worth.
Key Milestones in Stephen Root’s Career and Financial Growth
1995–1999: His role as Jimmy James on “NewsRadio” marked a significant milestone in his career, providing him with consistent work and widespread recognition. Although specific salary figures are not available, starring roles in network sitcoms typically command substantial per-episode fees.
1997–2010: Voice acting on “King of the Hill” provided a steady and lucrative source of income for over a decade. Voice actors can earn anywhere from a few thousand dollars per episode to tens of thousands for a well-established show, depending on their role and experience.
1999: Starring as Milton Waddams in “Office Space” solidified his status as a memorable character actor. While his upfront salary for “Office Space” is not public, the film’s enduring popularity has likely led to residuals over the years.
2000s: Consistent roles in films such as “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000) and “DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story” (2004) contributed to his income. While supporting actors generally receive smaller paychecks than lead actors, consistent roles in high-profile films contribute significantly to an actor’s overall earnings.
2010s: Recurring roles on television series such as “Justified” (2010–2014) and “Boardwalk Empire” (2012–2013) provided stable income streams. Recurring roles on television series can provide a stable income stream for actors.
2018–Present: Starring in the HBO series “Barry” has brought him critical acclaim and likely a substantial salary. HBO is known for paying its talent well, and Root’s significant role in a critically acclaimed series would contribute substantially to his earnings.
2019: Root received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for “Barry,” which can increase an actor’s visibility and potentially lead to higher-paying roles.
Personal Life Details
Stephen married Laura Joan Hase in 1984, and they welcomed son Cody before divorcing in 1997. Root wed actress Romy Rosemont on December 14, 2008, and they have co-starred on “Fringe,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “Masters of Sex.” Romy has appeared in more than 150 film and television projects, and she is probably best known for playing Carole Hudson, the mother of Finn Hudson, on the Fox musical series “Glee.” In April 2021, the couple adopted a puppy, Archie, from Tobie’s Small Dog Rescue in Los Angeles.
Awards and Nominations
Stephen Root’s career has been marked by critical recognition, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for “Barry” in 2019 and an International Online Cinema Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for “Barry.”
“Uncle Frank” won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Movie in 2021, and Stephen shared a Gold Derby Award for Ensemble Cast with his “No Country for Old Men” co-stars in 2008.
The “Barry” cast has earned two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2019 and 2020), and Root and his “Get Out” co-stars earned an Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture nomination in 2018. “Get Out” also received a BAM Award nomination for Best Cast (2017), and “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” earned an MTV Movie Award nomination for Best On-Screen Team (2005).
Stephen received a CableACE Award nomination for Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries for “The Road to Galveston” in 1996, and in 2012, Root and his “Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz” castmates earned a Behind the Voice Actors Award nomination for Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short.