Net Worth Ranker
What Is Pam Dawber’s Net Worth?
Pam Dawber, the American actress recognized for her roles in “Mork & Mindy” and “My Sister Sam,” has accumulated a net worth of $10 million. This figure reflects her decades-long career in television and film, supplemented by her earlier work as a model.
Early Career and “Mork & Mindy” Success
Pamela Gene Dawber was born on October 18, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan. Before venturing into acting, she worked as a model in New York City, signed with Wilhelmina Models. Her early modeling career included appearances in TV commercials for brands like Noxzema and Fotomat in the 1970s. While details on specific earnings from these commercials are not publicly available, such campaigns were a common entry point for aspiring actors. While attending Reid Elementary School and North Farmington High School, and later enrolling at Oakland Community College, Dawber deferred her studies to focus on modeling full-time, a decision that ultimately led her to acting.
Dawber’s breakthrough role came in 1978 when she was cast as Mindy McConnell in the ABC sitcom “Mork & Mindy,” co-starring Robin Williams. The show ran for four seasons, totaling nearly 100 episodes. While specific salary details for Dawber during her time on “Mork & Mindy” are not publicly disclosed, the success of the series led to a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1979, indicative of its cultural impact and likely contributing to increased earning potential for its stars.
Film and Television Roles
Following the success of “Mork & Mindy,” Dawber took on various roles in television movies, including “The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything” (1980), “Remembrance of Love” (1982), and “Through Naked Eyes” (1983). Each TV movie and the guest appearances would have contributed incrementally to her growing net worth. In 1986, Dawber began starring in the CBS sitcom “My Sister Sam” alongside Rebecca Schaeffer. This role continued until 1988. While information on her exact salary for “My Sister Sam” isn’t publicly accessible, a starring role in a network sitcom during that era would have provided a substantial income. The show’s premature cancellation following the tragic death of Rebecca Schaeffer cut short a potentially longer and more lucrative run.
In 1992, Dawber co-starred in the film “Stay Tuned” alongside John Ritter and Eugene Levy. While “Stay Tuned” received mixed reviews, it provided another acting credit on Dawber’s resume and contributed to her earnings. While specific box office numbers for “Stay Tuned” are available, data on Dawber’s individual salary for the film is not publicly accessible.
She also appeared in TV movies such as “The Man with Three Wives” (1993), “Web of Deception” (1994), and “A Stranger to Love” (1996). In 1997, Dawber starred as Ronnie Boswell in the CBS sitcom “Life… and Stuff.” While details on the show’s ratings and Dawber’s individual earnings from “Life… and Stuff” are not publicly known, it marked her return to a starring role in a sitcom after several years of TV movie appearances. In 1999, Dawber appeared in “I’ll Remember April” alongside her husband, Mark Harmon. The financial compensation she received would have added to her income for that year. She also had voice acting roles, lending her voice to the film “Swan Lake” (1981) and the TV shows “Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour” (1982) and “101 Dalmatians: The Series” (1997–1998). While the exact compensation for these voice acting roles is not available, voice work can provide a steady income stream for actors.
Later Career and “NCIS” Appearance
Dawber stepped back from full-time acting in the early 1990s to focus on raising her children. However, she continued to make occasional appearances in television and film. In 2014, Dawber guest-starred in an episode of Robin Williams’ CBS series “The Crazy Ones.” The emotional impact of this appearance, given Williams’ subsequent passing, was significant. However, details regarding her compensation for this guest role are not publicly available.
In 2016, Dawber appeared in an episode of the CBS reboot of “The Odd Couple” as a tribute to Garry Marshall. The role was a cameo appearance. However, details regarding her compensation for this guest role are not publicly available.
In 2021, Dawber had a recurring role as investigative journalist Marcie Warren on her husband Mark Harmon’s CBS police procedural “NCIS.” While salary figures for her role on “NCIS” have not been publicly disclosed, guest-starring roles on popular prime-time dramas can be lucrative, contributing significantly to an actor’s annual income.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Pam Dawber married actor Mark Harmon on March 21, 1987. In 1988, Pam and Mark purchased a house in the Mandeville Canyon area of Los Angeles for $4 million. The couple remodeled the house and sold it in 1990 for $7.9 million to director Barry Levinson. The sale of the house generated a profit of $3.9 million. However, the specific amount Dawber received is unknown.
Awards and Recognition
Dawber won People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program in 1979 and 1987. In 1979, she earned a Photoplay Award for Favorite Female Newcomer. In 2007, she was nominated for The “Who Knew They Could Sing?” Award at the TV Land Awards. While these awards did not have direct monetary value, they enhanced her profile and potentially influenced her earning power in subsequent roles.
