Overview

Margaret Moran Cho, born on December 5, 1968, in San Francisco, California, is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author, fashion designer, and musician. She is known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially regarding race, sexuality, gender, and body image. She rose to prominence after starring in the ABC sitcom ‘All-American Girl’ (1994–95) and became an established stand-up comic in the subsequent years. Cho began her stand-up career as a teenager, performing in a club next to her parents’ bookstore. Her comedy often draws from her experiences as a Korean-American and addresses issues of diversity and identity. Besides stand-up, she has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including ‘Face/Off’ and ‘Drop Dead Diva’. She is also an advocate for LGBT rights, feminist issues, and racial equality. Cho’s career is marked by her unique voice and her commitment to using comedy as a platform for social change.
Margaret Cho Net Worth

What Is Margaret Cho Net Worth?

Margaret Cho, an accomplished American comedian, actress, singer, author, and fashion designer, has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. This financial standing reflects her diverse and prolific career across various entertainment sectors. A substantial portion of Margaret Cho’s net worth is attributed to her extensive work as a stand-up comic, where she has captivated audiences with her unique brand of humor and social commentary.

Sources of Margaret Cho’s Net Worth

Cho’s acting career, encompassing over 90 film and television projects, has significantly contributed to her financial success. From 1994 to 1995, she starred in the ABC sitcom “All-American Girl,” which, despite its short run, provided a foundational platform for her subsequent endeavors. More recently, her role as Teri Lee on Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva” from 2009 to 2014 offered both steady income and increased visibility. These television roles, along with appearances in films such as “Face/Off” (1997), “One Missed Call” (2008), “17 Again” (2009), and “Faith Based” (2020), have collectively added to her wealth.

Margaret Cho’s forays into writing have also played a role in her financial portfolio. Her books, “I’m the One That I Want” (2001) and “I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight” (2005), have generated revenue through sales and related media appearances. In 2019, she launched “The Margaret Cho,” a podcast that provides another stream of income through advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise.

Beyond entertainment, Cho has ventured into fashion and music, further diversifying her income streams. In 2003, she launched the clothing line High Class Cho with fashion designer Ava Stander, and in 2006, she founded Hip Wear, a line of belly dancing belts. Additionally, she has released two music albums, “Cho Dependent” (2010) and “American Myth” (2016), as well as nine comedy albums, including “Notorious C.H.O. – Live at Carnegie Hall” (2002), “Assassin” (2005), and “PsyCHO” (2015). These ventures, while perhaps not as lucrative as her stand-up and acting careers, contribute to her overall financial stability.

Margaret Cho’s Career Milestones and Earnings

Margaret Cho’s early career involved performing stand-up comedy shows at a club near her parents’ bookstore in San Francisco. This initial exposure led to television appearances on shows like “Stand-Up Spotlight” (1988), “Comics Only” (1989), and “1/2 Hour Comedy Hour” (1991), which helped establish her presence in the comedy circuit. In 1992, Cho secured a small role on “The Golden Palace,” a spin-off of “Golden Girls,” and appeared in the television film “Move the Crowd.” These early roles, while not high-paying, provided invaluable experience and exposure.

The 1994 ABC sitcom “All-American Girl,” based on Cho’s stand-up act, marked a significant milestone in her career, though it was short-lived, airing only 19 episodes. Despite its cancellation, the show provided a platform that catapulted Cho into the mainstream media, leading to subsequent film roles in the late 1990s, including “It’s My Party” (1996), “Face/Off” (1997), “Pink as the Day She Was Born,” “Fakin’ da Funk,” and “Sweethearts.” These roles helped to solidify her status as a versatile performer and increase her earnings.

In 1999, Margaret Cho starred in the one-woman show “I’m the One That I Want,” which was named Performance of the Year by “New York” magazine. This show’s success led to a guest appearance on “Sex and the City” in 2001 and the release of the stand-up comedy movie “Revolution” in 2004. In 2005, she wrote and starred in the film “Bam Bam and Celeste,” followed by a variety show tour, “The Sensuous Woman,” in 2007. These projects demonstrated her ability to create and star in her own productions, further enhancing her financial independence.

Cho’s career continued to evolve with the premiere of her reality show, “The Cho Show,” on VH1 in August 2008, and her role as Teri Lee on “Drop Dead Diva” from 2009 to 2014, appearing in 72 episodes. In 2010, she competed on “Dancing with the Stars,” gaining additional exposure, and from 2011 to 2012, she guest-starred on “30 Rock” as Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un. These roles, along with guest appearances on “Dr. Ken” in 2015 and “High Maintenance,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “Miracle Workers” in 2019, have maintained her presence in the entertainment industry and contributed to her consistent earnings. She has also voiced characters in projects such as “The Critic” (1994), “The Rugrats Movie” (1998), “Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World” (2007–2009), and “Family Guy” (2016), adding to her diverse portfolio.

Margaret Cho’s Real Estate and Assets

In 2002, Margaret Cho invested in real estate by purchasing a home in Glendale, California, for $625,000. As of today, the property is estimated to be worth around $2 million. This real estate asset represents a significant portion of her overall net worth and showcases her ability to make sound financial decisions.

Beyond real estate, the specifics of Margaret Cho’s other assets, such as investments in stocks, bonds, or private businesses, are not publicly disclosed. However, her diverse income streams from stand-up comedy, acting, writing, fashion, and music suggest a well-diversified financial portfolio. The absence of information on specific luxury assets, such as private planes or yachts, implies that Cho’s wealth is primarily tied to her career earnings and real estate investments.

© 2025 Net Worth Ranker / All Rights Reserved