Overview

Aahoo Jahansouz Shahi, most famously known as Sarah Shahi, is an American actress and former NFL cheerleader. Born on January 10, 1980, in Euless, Texas, to an Iranian father and a Spanish-Iranian mother, she had a diverse upbringing. Shahi’s early life involved beauty pageants, sports, and studying karate. Before acting, Shahi was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, even gracing the cover of their calendar. Robert Altman encouraged her to pursue acting in Los Angeles. She is best known for her roles in television series such as ‘The L Word,’ ‘Fairly Legal,’ ‘Person of Interest,’ ‘Life,’ and ‘Sex/Life.’ Shahi has also appeared in ‘Alias,’ ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘City on a Hill,’ and ‘The Rookie.’ Her film credits include ‘The Dog Problem,’ ‘Shades of Ray,’ ‘Static,’ and ‘Black Adam.’ Shahi speaks English, Farsi, and some Spanish.

What Is Sarah Shahi’s Net Worth?

Sarah Shahi, an American actress and former NFL cheerleader, has accumulated a net worth of $4 million as of 2025. This valuation is based on her extensive career in television and film, including prominent roles in several successful series and movies. Her income is derived from acting salaries, potential residuals, and possibly endorsements or other ventures.

Early Career and Television Success

Shahi’s career began unconventionally, with a year as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Following that, she transitioned to acting, securing roles in various television shows. Her early television credits include appearances in “Spin City” and “Boston Public,” which provided initial income and exposure. However, it was her role as Carmen de la Pica Morales on “The L Word” that significantly boosted her profile and likely led to higher-paying roles. She was a main character for seasons two and three, returning as a guest in the final season, thus securing multiple income streams over several years. Subsequently, Shahi landed main roles on “Teachers” and “Life,” further adding to her earnings. Notably, her role on “Life,” co-starring Damian Lewis, would have provided a substantial salary given the show’s prime-time network placement and the actors involved. A major contribution to Sarah Shahi’s Net Worth comes from her role as Sameen Shaw on CBS’s “Person of Interest”. Being promoted to a main role from season three through five. Main character salaries on prime time shows such as “Person of Interest” can command salaries of $50,000-$150,000 per episode.

In 2011, she took on a lead role in “Fairly Legal” on the USA Network, which ran until 2012. From 2012 to 2013, Shahi played Renee Royce in “Chicago Fire,” which would have contributed significantly to her income through recurring roles. Additionally, she appeared in the CBS series “Person of Interest” from 2013 to 2018, initially in a recurring role before being promoted to a main character for seasons three through five. Being a main character in prime time shows such as “Person of Interest” can command salaries of $50,000-$150,000 per episode.

The science fiction series “Reverie” on NBC, where Shahi played the lead role, added another income stream, even though it was short-lived. Furthermore, her recurring role as Jessica Russo on “The Rookie” continued to contribute to her earnings. Then in 2019, Shahi continued to solidify Sarah Shahi’s Net Worth when she took another recurring role on “City on a Hill.” In 2021, Shahi secured a main role in the Netflix series “Sex/Life,” where she played Billie Connelly. Being a main character on a successful show on Netflix would lead to a large increase to Sarah Shahi’s Net Worth.

Film Career and Notable Roles

In addition to her television career, Shahi has also appeared in several films. Early in her career, she had minor roles in movies like “Old School” and “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” which, while not significantly impacting her overall earnings, helped build her resume. Her first substantial film role came in the 2006 comedy “The Dog Problem.” Following this, she had roles in “Shades of Ray” (2008) and “AmericanEast” (2008), contributing to her income as a working actress.

Shahi continued to secure roles in films such as “Crossing Over” (2009), “East Fifth Bliss” (2011), and “I Don’t Know How She Does It” (2011). In 2012, she starred in the horror film “Static” and the action film “Bullet to the Head.” These roles increased Sarah Shahi’s Net Worth with additional income. One of Shahi’s most prominent roles was as Isis in the DC Comics superhero film “Black Adam” (2022). Superhero movies can provide significant financial compensation for actors, particularly those playing key roles. The exact amount Shahi earned from “Black Adam” is not publicly available, but it likely contributed substantially to her net worth.

Additional Ventures and Assets

While precise details about Shahi’s real estate holdings and other investments are not publicly available, it is common for actors with a net worth in the millions to have diverse investment portfolios. These may include real estate, stocks, and other assets that contribute to their overall wealth. It is reasonable to assume that Shahi has made investments to secure her financial future, although the specifics remain undisclosed.

Personal Life and Relationships

Shahi was married to actor Steve Howey in early 2009, and they have three children together. They divorced in early 2021. While married, the couple may have shared financial resources, but the details of any financial settlements related to their divorce are not publicly known. Shahi began dating her “Sex/Life” co-star Adam Demos in 2020, but this relationship does not directly impact her net worth unless they have joint financial ventures.

Factors Influencing Sarah Shahi’s Net Worth

Sarah Shahi’s Net Worth has been built through consistent work in television and film. The primary factors include her salaries from various roles, residuals from past performances, and potential income from endorsements or other ventures. Successful, long-running television series like “Person of Interest” and prominent roles in films like “Black Adam” have significantly contributed to her financial status. Precise annual income figures are not publicly available, but an estimate can be made based on her roles and the typical compensation for actors in similar positions.

Financial Considerations and Future Prospects

While the estimated $4 million net worth provides a snapshot of Shahi’s current financial status, her future earnings potential remains substantial. As she continues to take on new roles in television and film, her income is likely to increase. The success of “Sex/Life” on Netflix, for example, could lead to further opportunities and higher-paying roles in the future. Her continued presence in the entertainment industry suggests a positive outlook for her financial growth.

© 2025 Net Worth Ranker / All Rights Reserved