What Is Mo Rocca’s Net Worth?
Mo Rocca, an American humorist, writer, television and radio personality, and actor, has accumulated a net worth of $2 million. This financial standing reflects his diverse career across various media platforms.
Career Highlights and Earnings
Rocca’s career began with stage performances, including a tour of “Grease” in Southeast Asia in 1993 and a production of “South Pacific” with the Paper Mill Playhouse in 1994. These early roles provided foundational experience before transitioning into television. One of his early roles was writing for and producing the children’s television series “Wishbone.” He further honed his writing skills on shows like Nickelodeon’s “The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss” and ABC’s “Pepper Ann.” These behind-the-scenes roles were crucial stepping stones in his career.
His breakthrough came in 1998 when he became a correspondent on “The Daily Show,” a role he held until 2003. During this time, his segment “That’s Quite Interesting” became a regular feature, significantly raising his profile. Following his stint on “The Daily Show,” Rocca joined “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” as a satirical correspondent from 2004 to 2008. The specific financial details of these contracts remain undisclosed, but these positions would have substantially contributed to his income. Later, Rocca transitioned to “CBS Sunday Morning,” where he took on more serious correspondent work, focusing on cover stories, profiles, and features related to presidential history.
Rocca expanded his television presence by creating and hosting “My Grandmother’s Ravioli” on the Cooking Channel, which aired from 2012 to 2015. The premise of the show, where he learned to cook from grandparents across the US, resonated with audiences. He also hosted “Food(ography)” on the Cooking Channel and served as a judge on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” These roles diversified his income streams and increased his visibility in the culinary entertainment sphere.
Since 2014, Rocca has hosted “The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation,” a weekly program airing as part of the CBS Dream Team programming block. He also moderated the National Geographic Bee finals from 2016 until the competition ended in 2019, adding another dimension to his career. He has also acted on some television shows. In 2008, he made guest appearances in episodes of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Later, in 2014, he played an accountant named Milton on the daytime soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” a role he later reprised for the show’s 50th anniversary in 2023. Among his other acting appearances on television, Rocca played a conservative morning TV show host in the second season of the CBS legal drama “The Good Fight” in 2018.
In 2005, Rocca appeared in Nora Ephron’s film adaptation of “Bewitched,” and in 2007, he acted in the science-fiction comedy “I’ll Believe You.” He also narrated the 2012 documentary “Electoral Dysfunction,” showcasing his versatility across different media formats.
On the radio, Rocca is a regular panelist on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!,” a show known for its humorous take on the week’s news. Additionally, he hosts the podcast “Mobituaries with Mo Rocca,” which explores his fascination with obituaries. These roles reflect his passion for storytelling and commentary.
Literary Works and Broadway
Rocca is also an author, having published “All the Presidents’ Pets: The Story of One Reporter Who Refused to Roll Over” in 2004, which further contributes to his income through royalties and book sales. In 2019, he adapted his “Mobituaries” podcast into a book of the same name, extending the reach of his brand and intellectual property.
In 2005, Rocca took on the role of Vice Principal Douglas Panch in the Broadway musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” This venture into Broadway added another layer to his diverse career portfolio.
Real Estate Investment
In August 2012, Mo Rocca invested in real estate, purchasing a two-bedroom co-op on West 9th Street in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village for $1 million. This property represents a significant asset within his overall net worth and demonstrates his investment strategy. The specific details, such as the exact square footage and any subsequent renovations, are not publicly available, but the property’s location in Greenwich Village suggests it is a valuable asset.
Personal Life
Mo Rocca was born on January 28, 1969, in Washington, DC. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, before earning a BA in literature from Harvard University in 1991. While at Harvard, he was president of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals and participated in several of the company’s burlesque shows. He publicly came out as gay in 2011 on “The Six Pack” podcast. Details about other investments, properties, or assets are not publicly available.