Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ali Wong’s Net Worth?
Ali Wong, an accomplished American actress, stand-up comedian, writer, producer, and director, has built a considerable fortune over her career. As of 2024, Ali Wong’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million. This financial standing reflects her success across various entertainment platforms, including her Netflix comedy specials, film appearances, television roles, and writing endeavors. Her career trajectory showcases not only her comedic talent but also her business acumen in navigating the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Alexandra Dawn Wong, born on April 19, 1982, in San Francisco, California, laid the foundation for her future success early in life. Her father, Adolphus, a Chinese-American anesthesiologist with three decades at Kaiser Permanente, and her mother, Tam, a Vietnamese social worker who immigrated to the U.S. in 1960, provided a diverse cultural background. Ali’s academic achievements began in high school, where she served as student body class president at San Francisco University High School, graduating in 2000. Continuing her education at UCLA, she majored in Asian-American studies and actively participated in the LCC Theatre Company, the nation’s oldest and largest Asian-American collegiate theater group. In 2005, she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree, followed by a Fulbright scholarship to study in Vietnam. While her time in Vietnam was challenging due to language barriers and cultural differences, it ultimately solidified her resolve to pursue comedy professionally.
At 23, Ali Wong began her stand-up comedy career, quickly moving to New York City to pursue her ambitions. By 2011, “Variety” recognized her as one of the “10 Comics to Watch,” leading to appearances on prominent late-night shows such as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Chelsea Lately,” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” During this period, she also secured guest roles on television series like “Breaking In” (2011) and “Inside Amy Schumer” (2014–2015), as well as a recurring role as Olivia on NBC’s “Are You There, Chelsea?” (2012), based on Chelsea Handler’s book. Ali’s early film credits include roles in Oliver Stone’s “Savages” (2012) and Jeff Garlin’s “Dealin’ with Idiots” (2013). In 2014, she took on the role of Dr. Lina Lark in ABC’s medical drama “Black Box.” This period marked the beginning of her transition from a stand-up comedian to a multi-faceted entertainer, contributing to the early growth of Ali Wong’s net worth.
Netflix Comedy Specials and Rise to Stardom
Ali Wong’s breakthrough moment came with the release of her first Netflix comedy special, “Ali Wong: Baby Cobra,” in 2016. Filmed while she was seven months pregnant, the special garnered widespread acclaim. “New York Magazine” highlighted its impact, stating that it united diverse audiences. “Baby Cobra” showcased Ali’s unique comedic style, discussing topics ranging from pregnancy to marriage with unapologetic humor. Following the success of “Baby Cobra,” Ali released “Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife” in 2018, filmed while pregnant again, and “Ali Wong: Don Wong” in 2022. Each special further cemented her status as a comedic force, drawing millions of viewers and generating substantial revenue for Netflix. These specials are key components contributing to Ali Wong’s net worth, boosting her income through performance fees and residuals.
Her 2019 film, “Always Be My Maybe,” which she co-wrote and co-starred with Randall Park, further amplified her reach. Within the first month of its release, the film was viewed by more than 30 million households on Netflix, demonstrating its popularity and appeal. This project not only earned her critical praise but also generated significant revenue through her involvement as a writer, producer, and actress. Royalties and streaming revenue from “Always Be My Maybe” continue to contribute to Ali Wong’s net worth.
Television Roles and Voice Acting
From 2016 to 2021, Ali Wong portrayed Doris on ABC’s “American Housewife,” a role that provided her with steady income and broadened her audience. In 2017, she appeared as a guest star on “Fresh Off the Boat,” a show for which she had previously worked as a writer. Additionally, she co-starred in the film “Father Figures” alongside Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, and J.K. Simmons. In 2018, Ali lent her voice to the Disney film “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” which grossed $529.3 million at the box office, demonstrating her involvement in commercially successful projects. She also began voicing Roberta “Bertie” Songthrush on “Tuca & Bertie” alongside Tiffany Haddish in 2019. After Netflix canceled the series, Adult Swim picked it up, renewing it for a third season in August 2021. Additionally, since 2019, she has voiced Ali on Netflix’s “Big Mouth,” and in 2022, she began voicing Becca on the spin-off “Human Resources.”
“Beef” and Critical Acclaim
In 2023, Ali Wong co-starred with Steven Yeun in the Netflix drama-comedy “Beef,” where she also served as an executive producer. “Beef” has been lauded by critics and audiences alike, resulting in a string of prestigious awards for Ali Wong. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, becoming the first Asian-American actress to achieve this milestone. She also secured a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie. Furthermore, she won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series. The success of “Beef” has significantly boosted her profile and financial standing, adding substantially to Ali Wong’s net worth.
Other Ventures and Recognitions
Beyond her on-screen roles, Ali Wong has contributed to the entertainment industry as a writer and producer. She wrote for the ABC sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat” from 2015 to 2016 and directed and produced the 2022 comedy special “Sheng Wang: Sweet and Juicy.” These behind-the-scenes roles reflect her versatility and commitment to the industry. Additionally, Ali Wong’s achievements have been recognized by “Time” magazine, which included her on its list of the “100 Most Influential People” in both 2020 and 2023. These accolades underscore her impact on popular culture and her influence within the entertainment community. These different types of endeavors contributes to the solidification of Ali Wong’s net worth as a multifaceted entertainer.
Personal Life and Real Estate
In 2010, Ali Wong met Justin Hakuta, who was a GoodRx vice president, at a wedding, and they married on November 27, 2014. Justin is the son of Ken Hakuta, an inventor and host of “The Dr. Fad Show.” Ali and Justin have two daughters, Mari (born November 2015) and Nikki (born December 2017). However, they filed for divorce in April 2022. In August 2014, Ali and Justin purchased a home in Culver City, California, for $1.139 million. They sold this property in November 2021 for $1.9 million, demonstrating a profitable real estate transaction. This transaction added nearly $800,000 to Ali Wong’s net worth before taxes and fees.
Award Nominations
Ali Wong’s talent has been recognized through numerous award nominations. In 2022, she earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for “Ali Wong: Don Wong.” She received a Legacy Award nomination for Best Stand Up Comedian Female at the Legionnaires of Laughter Legacy Awards in 2018, and in 2019, she earned a People’s Choice Award nomination for Favorite Comedy Movie Star. For “Tuca & Bertie,” Ali has received an Annie Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production (2020) and a Gotham Award nomination for Breakthrough Series – Shortform (2019).
