Overview

Amanda Pays is a British actress and interior designer known for her roles in ‘Max Headroom’ as Theora Jones and as Dr. Tina McGee in both the 1990 and 2014 versions of ‘The Flash’. Before acting, Amanda Pays started as a model at the age of 17, working for various top fashion houses, and appearing in magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. She transitioned to acting after four years. Amanda made her acting debut opposite George Segal in ‘The Cold Room’, she then starred in movies such as ‘Oxford Blues’. She also hosts ‘Breathing Room’ on Fine Living Network. Amanda and her husband, Corbin Bernsen, have renovated and sold over 20 homes in the Los Angeles area since the 1990s. They also own a farm in France and moved to NY’s Hudson Valley in 2019. Besides acting and real estate, Pays also designed a furniture line and co-authored a book titled ‘Open House, re-inventing space for simple living’ with her husband.

What Is Amanda Pays’ Net Worth?

Amanda Pays, a British actress and former model, has accumulated a substantial net worth throughout her career. Her current net worth is estimated to be $12 million, which is a combined net worth with her husband, actor Corbin Bernsen. This financial standing is a result of her work in television, film, and a successful side career in real estate.

Amanda Pays’ Career and Earnings

Pays’ career began in modeling, where she worked with top fashion houses and appeared in magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. The exact earnings from her modeling career are not publicly disclosed, but her success in the fashion industry laid the foundation for her transition to acting.

Her acting debut was in the British TV series “Play for Today” in 1982. In 1981, she landed a significant role as Phyllida Trant in the miniseries “The Flame Trees of Thika.” This role helped to establish her as a talented actress. In 1984, she made her feature film debut in “Oxford Blues.” Her role as Theora Jones in “Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future” (1985) and its spin-off series “Max Headroom” (1987-1988) further solidified her reputation.

Pays is most notably recognized for her role as Dr. Christina “Tina” McGee in the 1990 TV series “The Flash.” Her salary for this role has not been publicly disclosed, but the show’s popularity provided her with significant exposure. She reprised her role as Dr. Tina McGee in the 2014 revival of “The Flash.” More recently, she appeared in shows like “Thieves” (2001), “Nip/Tuck” (2005), “Psych” (2008), and “Suits” (2019). Earnings from these roles contributed to her overall net worth, although specific figures are not publicly available.

Real Estate Ventures

Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen have a notable side career in real estate flipping, which has significantly contributed to their combined net worth. Since the 1990s, they have renovated and sold over 20 homes in the Los Angeles area. In August 2015, they purchased a home in Sherman Oaks for $1.275 million and sold it a year later for $1.55 million, realizing a profit of $275,000. Around the same time, they sold their primary residence in Valley Village, California, for $2.55 million and another nearby home for $1.4 million to singer/actress Katherine McPhee.

In 1995, Pays and Bernsen sold a 7,000-square-foot home to Steve Martin for $3.175 million. In October 2020, they sold a home in Valley Village, California, for $2.945 million. They had purchased the home in 2015 for $2.255 million, resulting in a profit of $690,000. In December 2020, they bought a home in Red Hook, New York, for $700,000 and sold it for $3.755 million in July 2023, earning a profit of $3.055 million. In December 2022, they acquired a three-acre property in Germantown, NY, for $430,000. The current market value of this property is not publicly available, but it contributes to their overall real estate portfolio.

These real estate transactions demonstrate Pays and Bernsen’s skill in identifying and capitalizing on property investments. The profits from these ventures have played a crucial role in building their net worth.

Early Life and Background

Amanda Pays was born on June 6, 1959, in London, England. Her father, Howard Pays, was a talent agent and former actor, and her mother, Jan Miller, was an actress and writer. Growing up in a creative household, she was exposed to the entertainment industry from a young age. This early exposure cultivated her love for performance and set the foundation for her future career.

Before pursuing acting, Pays began her career as a model. She worked with top fashion houses and appeared in prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. Her success in the modeling world provided her with the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures, ultimately shaping her worldview and artistic sensibilities. During her time as a model, Pays also ventured into hosting television programs. In the early 1980s, she co-hosted the British music show “The Tube” alongside Jools Holland and Paula Yates. This experience allowed Pays to develop her on-camera presence and sparked her interest in pursuing acting more seriously.

Acting Career Details

Pays’ acting career began in the early 1980s. She made her acting debut with a guest role on the British television series “Play for Today” in 1982. Her first significant role came when she starred as Phyllida Trant in the 1981 TV miniseries “The Flame Trees of Thika.” The critically acclaimed series, set in colonial Kenya, showcased Pays’ ability to portray complex characters and established her as a promising talent in the industry. In 1984, Pays made her feature film debut in “Oxford Blues,” a comedy-drama starring Rob Lowe.

Following this, she was cast as Theora Jones in the groundbreaking British cyberpunk television film “Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future” (1985) and its subsequent spin-off series “Max Headroom” (1987-1988). Pays’ portrayal of the intelligent, resourceful Theora Jones further solidified her reputation as a versatile actress capable of tackling diverse roles. Pays continued to work in film, appearing in movies such as the science fiction horror film “Leviathan” (1989) alongside Peter Weller and Richard Crenna. However, it was her role as Dr. Christina “Tina” McGee in the 1990 television series “The Flash” that became one of her most iconic performances. Pays’ character, a scientist and love interest for the titular hero, resonated with audiences and showcased her ability to bring depth and nuance to her roles.

Throughout her acting career, Amanda Pays has appeared in numerous television shows, taking on guest roles in series like “Riptide” (1984), “The X-Files” (1999), and “Nip/Tuck” (2005). Her versatility as an actress has allowed her to explore various genres, from drama and science fiction to crime and mystery. In 2014, Pays reprised her role as Dr. Tina McGee in the CW’s revival of “The Flash,” a nod to her enduring connection to the character and her lasting influence on the superhero genre. In recent years, she has also made appearances in shows such as “Psych” (2008) and “Suits” (2019).

Personal Life and Collaborations

Amanda Pays married Corbin Bernsen in 1988, and they have four sons together. Pays and Bernsen have collaborated professionally as well, with Pays appearing in several episodes of “L.A. Law,” in which Bernsen starred. While the specific earnings from these collaborations are not publicly available, they have contributed to their combined income.

The couple’s move from Los Angeles to New York’s Hudson Valley in 2019 reflects their lifestyle changes and potentially new investment opportunities. Their real estate activities in both California and New York demonstrate their ongoing engagement in property investments and flipping.

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