Net Worth Ranker
What Is Zach Galifianakis’ Net Worth?
Zach Galifianakis, the American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $50 million. This wealth is primarily attributed to his successful career in comedy, acting, and producing, spanning across television and film.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Zachary Knight Galifianakis was born on October 1, 1969, in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He began his entertainment career with guest appearances on the NBC sitcom “Boston Common” and a brief writing stint on “Saturday Night Live.” These early experiences, although not directly contributing large sums to his net worth, provided crucial exposure and foundational skills.
His breakthrough came in September 2001 with his “Comedy Central Presents” special, showcasing his stand-up routine and piano skills. This led to his own VH1 talk show, “Late World with Zach,” in 2002. Simultaneously, he appeared in films such as “Out Cold” (2001), “Corky Romano” (2001), “Bubble Boy” (2001), and “Heartbreakers” (2001). In 2006, Galifianakis starred in the Comedy Central show “Dog Bites Man,” further solidifying his presence in the comedy scene. His early stand-up specials, including “Zach Galifianakis Live at the Purple Onion,” which was among the first original programs released by Netflix, also contributed to his rising profile and subsequent earning potential.
Galifianakis gained further recognition through appearances in various television shows like “The Sarah Silverman Program,” “Tom Goes to the Mayor,” and “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”. He also featured in films like “Into the Wild” (2007) and “Super High Me” (2007). His involvement with the Comedians of Comedy tour alongside Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, and Maria Bamford, performing in rock clubs, broadened his audience and income streams.
“Between Two Ferns” and Emmy Award
In 2008, Galifianakis started hosting “Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis” on Funny or Die. This web series features awkward and bizarre interviews with celebrities. His work as a producer on the show earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program at the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The success of “Between Two Ferns” extended to a Comedy Central television special and a Netflix movie, “Between Two Ferns: The Movie,” significantly boosting his earnings and net worth.
The Hangover Trilogy
Galifianakis’s role as Alan Garner in “The Hangover” (2009) marked a turning point in his career. This role led to him winning the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance. The initial salaries for the four main actors—Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha—were relatively low. The studio initially hesitated due to the lack of established star power. Director Todd Phillips even offered to return $6.5 million of his salary in exchange for back-end points to ensure the film’s production. Eventually, the studio relented, knowing that the four actors were collectively earning less than $1 million.
“The Hangover” went on to gross $470 million at the box office and $75 million in DVD sales. This success allowed Galifianakis and his co-stars to negotiate significantly higher salaries and backend shares for the sequels. For “The Hangover Part II” (2011) and “The Hangover Part III” (2013), Galifianakis reportedly earned $15 million upfront per movie plus a percentage of the backend profits. This brought his total earnings from the trilogy to approximately $40 million.
Additional Film Roles and Voice Acting
Apart from “The Hangover” series, Galifianakis has appeared in numerous other films, including “Up in the Air” (2009), “Operation: Endgame” (2009), “Dinner for Schmucks” (2010), “Due Date” (2010), “The Muppets” (2011), “The Campaign” (2012), “Are You Here” (2014), “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (2014), “Masterminds” (2016), “Keeping Up with the Joneses” (2016), “Tulip Fever” (2017), and “A Wrinkle in Time” (2018). While specific salary details for each film are not publicly available, these roles have collectively contributed to his net worth through acting fees and potential profit-sharing agreements.
He has also lent his voice to animated films such as “Puss in Boots” (2011) and “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017). Voice acting roles, while often less publicized, can provide substantial income, especially for well-known actors.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Galifianakis married Quinn Lundberg in August 2012. Lundberg is the co-founder of the charity Growing Voices. Together, they have two sons, born in 2013 and 2016 respectively. He owns a farm in Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina, where he spends his time when not working. While the exact value of the farm is not disclosed, it represents a significant asset contributing to his overall net worth.
In January 2014, Galifianakis and Sarah Silverman organized a fundraiser to benefit the Texas Abortion Fund in response to the Texas H.B. 2 bill. This demonstrates his commitment to social causes.
Summary of Zach Galifianakis’ Net Worth
In summary, Zach Galifianakis’s $50 million net worth has been amassed through a combination of successful stand-up comedy, acting roles in both television and film, producing ventures, and strategic career decisions. His breakthrough role in “The Hangover” significantly boosted his earning potential, and his continued work in various entertainment projects ensures his financial stability.
