Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mary Steenburgen’s Net Worth?
Mary Steenburgen, a celebrated American actress, boasts a significant net worth of $80 million. This impressive figure represents the combined wealth she shares with her husband, fellow actor Ted Danson, to whom she has been married for several decades. Steenburgen’s financial success is primarily attributed to her extensive and varied career in film and television.
Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Born on February 8, 1953, in Newport, Arkansas, Mary Steenburgen’s early life laid the foundation for her future success. Her mother, Nellie Steenburgen, worked as a school secretary, while her father, Maurice Steenburgen, was a freight train conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. After studying drama at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, Steenburgen moved to New York City in 1972 to hone her craft at the Neighborhood Playhouse. During her studies with William Esper, she supplemented her income by working at Doubleday, a publishing company, and as a server at the Magic Pan restaurant.
Steenburgen’s breakthrough role came in 1978 when she was cast as the female lead in Jack Nicholson’s Western comedy film “Goin’ South.” This opportunity arose after Nicholson encountered her in the reception area of Paramount’s New York office. A year later, she secured another significant lead role in the science-fiction film “Time After Time,” where she starred opposite Malcolm McDowell. While specific financial details regarding her early roles are not publicly available, these projects were pivotal in establishing her presence in the entertainment industry.
Oscar Win and Subsequent Film Career
In 1980, Mary Steenburgen achieved critical acclaim for her portrayal of Lynda Dummar in Jonathan Demme’s “Melvin and Howard,” earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. While the exact salary for this role remains undisclosed, the Oscar win significantly boosted her career and opened doors to more prominent and lucrative opportunities. Following her Oscar victory, Steenburgen starred in Miloš Forman’s “Ragtime,” Woody Allen’s “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy,” and Martin Ritt’s “Cross Creek,” where she played Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the author of “The Yearling.” These roles further solidified her reputation as a versatile and talented actress.
Throughout the 1980s, Steenburgen continued to appear in a variety of films, including “One Magic Christmas,” “Dead of Winter,” “The Whales of August,” “End of the Line,” “Miss Firecracker,” and Ron Howard’s “Parenthood.” Financial data for these projects is not publicly accessible, but each role contributed to her growing net worth and industry recognition.
The 1990s saw Steenburgen’s continued success in films such as “Back to the Future Part III,” where she played a school teacher who falls for Doc Brown. This role was followed by appearances in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Philadelphia,” “It Runs in the Family,” “Powder,” and “Nixon,” in which she portrayed the mother of US president Richard Nixon. Again, while specific salary figures for these films are not public knowledge, her consistent work in high-profile projects helped maintain and increase her net worth.
In the 2000s, Steenburgen’s film credits included “Nobody’s Baby,” “Life as a House,” “I Am Sam,” “Sunshine State,” “Elf,” “Elvis and Anabelle,” “The Brave One,” “Honeydripper,” and “Step Brothers.” Her later filmography includes “The Proposal,” “Dirty Girl,” “The Help,” “Song One,” “Dean,” “Book Club,” “Happiest Season,” and “Nightmare Alley.” While precise financial compensation for these roles is not publicly available, it’s reasonable to assume that her consistent work in both leading and supporting roles has significantly contributed to her $80 million net worth. The movie “The Help”, where she worked alongside many other great actors, grossed $216.6 million at the box office, which highlights her involvement in commercially successful projects.
Television Career and Income
Mary Steenburgen’s television career has been just as prolific as her film career. She made her debut on the small screen in 1983, playing Little Red Riding Hood in an episode of the fantasy anthology series “Faerie Tale Theatre.” From 1991 to 1992, she reprised her role from “Back to the Future Part III” in the “Back to the Future” animated series. Financial details regarding these early television appearances are not publicly available.
From 1996 to 1997, Steenburgen starred opposite her husband, Ted Danson, in the CBS sitcom “Ink.” The financial specifics of her contract for “Ink” are not publicly disclosed, but starring in a network sitcom would have provided a steady and substantial income. Another significant television role came in 2000 when she began appearing on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as herself. This recurring role provided both financial compensation and increased her visibility. Steenburgen also had a main role in the fantasy drama series “Joan of Arcadia,” playing the mother of Amber Tamblyn’s title character. Specific salary details for this role are not public, but it was a prominent role in a successful series.
Throughout the 2000s, Steenburgen appeared in several television films, including “It Must Be Love,” “Capital City,” and “Happiness Isn’t Everything.” From 2011 to 2013, she played Catherine Newman in the comedy series “Wilfred,” followed by recurring roles in “Bored to Death,” “30 Rock,” and “Justified.” These recurring roles would have provided a consistent income stream.
Following appearances in “Togetherness” and “Orange is the New Black,” Steenburgen secured a main role in the Fox comedy series “The Last Man on Earth.” More recently, she has had recurring roles in the animated sitcom “Bless the Harts” and the dark comedy “On Becoming a God in Central Florida,” as well as a main role in the musical comedy “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” While the exact financial details of her television contracts are not publicly available, her extensive work in television has undoubtedly contributed significantly to her overall net worth. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist aired for two seasons, and although the numbers are not specified, Steenburgen’s role would certainly add to her financial success.
Music Career and Publishing Deal
After undergoing minor arm surgery in 2007, Mary Steenburgen reported experiencing music in her head continuously. This led her to take music lessons and begin writing down what she was hearing. By 2013, she had written nearly 50 songs. While specific earnings from her music career are not publicly detailed, she has collaborated with various musicians from Nashville and written songs for movies, including the 2018 British musical drama “Wild Rose.” In 2020, Steenburgen signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group, which likely provides her with advances and royalties based on the performance of her songs. The specifics of her deal with Universal Music Publishing Group have not been released.
Real Estate Holdings
Mary Steenburgen and her husband, Ted Danson, have invested significantly in real estate over the years. In June 2019, they sold a nine-acre property in Ojai, California, for $8.75 million, having purchased it in 2005 for $4.5 million through a trust. This sale resulted in a substantial profit of $4.25 million. They still own another home in Ojai, which they bought in 2017 for $2.4 million. In 2014, they purchased a home in Santa Monica, California, for $3.5 million, and in January 2019, they bought the adjacent property for $5.2 million, creating a large private compound. They also own a small cottage in Nashville and a six-acre multi-residence property on Martha’s Vineyard. The exact value of these remaining properties is not publicly available, but their combined value likely contributes significantly to their overall net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Mary Steenburgen’s personal life has also influenced her career and financial stability. She was first married to actor Malcolm McDowell, whom she met on the set of “Time After Time” in 1979. They married in 1980 and had two children before divorcing in 1990. On October 7, 1995, she married actor Ted Danson, and they have been together ever since. The combined net worth of $80 million reflects the assets and income they have accumulated together during their marriage. Steenburgen is also a close friend of Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and former Senator, but this friendship doesn’t directly impact her net worth.
