What Is Anna Gunn’s Net Worth
Anna Gunn, the American actress celebrated for her portrayal of Skyler White in the acclaimed AMC series “Breaking Bad,” boasts a net worth of $9 million. This financial standing reflects her successful career in television and film, highlighted by two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2013 and 2014 for her work on “Breaking Bad.” Beyond this signature role, Gunn’s career includes significant parts in television series such as “Down the Shore,” “The Practice,” and “Deadwood,” contributing to her overall financial success.
Anna Gunn’s Early Career and Education
Born on August 11, 1968, in Cleveland, Ohio, Anna Gunn’s upbringing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, significantly influenced her path to acting. Her parents, Sharon, an interior designer, and Clemens, who worked in real estate, provided a supportive environment for her early interests. Anna’s formal education began at Santa Fe Preparatory School, where she graduated in 1986. She furthered her academic pursuits at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, engaging in a semester abroad at the British American Drama Academy. In 1990, she earned a degree in theater from Northwestern, equipping her with the skills needed to begin her acting career. Shortly after graduation, Gunn relocated to Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, sharing a residence with fellow actress Pamela Adlon, indicating her early commitment to her acting aspirations and setting the stage for her subsequent television and film roles.
Anna Gunn’s Television Career: From Early Roles to “Breaking Bad”
Anna Gunn’s television debut occurred in 1992, with an appearance in an episode of the science-fiction series “Quantum Leap” and a starring role in the television film “Indecency.” In the same year, she became a member of the ensemble cast of the Fox sitcom “Down the Shore,” which aired for 29 episodes. Following this early exposure, Anna guest-starred in episodes of popular shows such as “Seinfeld,” “Missing Persons,” and “NYPD Blue.” She also portrayed Agent Alex King in NBC’s made-for-television movie “Moment of Truth: Caught in the Crossfire.” During the late ’90s, Gunn continued to build her resume with appearances on “Murder One,” “Chicago Hope,” “The Lazarus Man,” “The Big Easy,” and “Sleepwalkers.” A notable role during this period was her portrayal of Assistant District Attorney Jean Ward on the ABC legal drama “The Practice,” a role she held from 1997 through 2002. Her recurring roles on “The Practice” allowed Anna Gunn to establish herself as a recognizable face on television, contributing to her rising net worth.
In the early 2000s, Anna Gunn appeared in episodes of “Bull,” “The Guardian,” and “Yes, Dear.” The year 2003 was a particularly busy one for the actress, as she appeared in episodes of “Dragnet,” “The O’Keefes,” “Wild Card,” “The Lyon’s Den,” “Miss Match,” and “Miracles,” in addition to starring in the CBS television film “Twelve Mile Road” alongside Tom Selleck. Later, she appeared in episodes of “The D.A.” and “Six Feet Under.” From 2005 to 2006, Anna played Martha Bullock on the HBO Western series “Deadwood,” alongside Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant, playing a main role. In 2007, Anna guest-starred on “Boston Legal” before landing her most famous television role as Skyler White on the AMC crime series “Breaking Bad.”
As Skyler White on “Breaking Bad,” Anna Gunn played the wife of Walter White, portrayed by Bryan Cranston, a high school chemistry teacher who begins producing methamphetamine after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. “Breaking Bad” received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, including 16 Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, and two Peabody Awards. Gunn’s performance as Skyler White earned her three Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, with wins in 2013 and 2014. These Emmy wins significantly boosted her profile and subsequent earning potential. For example, the average salary for a lead actor in a critically acclaimed drama series can range from $75,000 to $150,000 per episode. Given Anna Gunn’s central role in “Breaking Bad,” it is plausible that she earned within this range, particularly as the show gained popularity. Across the show’s five seasons, consisting of 62 episodes, Anna Gunn’s earnings from “Breaking Bad” alone could range from $4.65 million to $9.3 million.
Concurrent with her role in “Breaking Bad,” Anna Gunn made appearances in episodes of “Law & Order” and “Lie to Me,” and co-starred with John Stamos in the 2012 Lifetime film “Secrets of Eden.” Following the conclusion of “Breaking Bad” in 2013, Anna guest-starred on “The Mindy Project” and was cast in a lead role on the Fox limited series “Gracepoint,” a remake of the British drama series “Broadchurch.” Additional credits include appearances on “Criminal Minds,” “Portlandia,” “Robot Chicken,” and “Shades of Blue,” where she had a recurring role as councilwoman and mayoral candidate Julia Ayres. In 2019, Anna reprised her role as Martha Bullock in “Deadwood: The Movie,” a continuation of the series featuring most of the main cast. Her continued work in television post-“Breaking Bad” demonstrates her sustained presence and contribution to the industry, solidifying her financial stability.
Anna Gunn’s Film Career
Anna Gunn began her film career with her debut in the 1994 science-fiction comedy “Junior,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, and Emma Thompson. In 1995, she starred in the thriller “Without Evidence” alongside Scott Plank and Angelina Jolie. By the end of the ’90s, she had roles in “Santa Fe” and the action thriller “Enemy of the State,” with Will Smith and Gene Hackman. In 2000, Gunn appeared in the horror film “Lost Souls,” starring Winona Ryder and Ben Chaplin. She followed this with appearances in the comedy “Nobody’s Baby” and the LGBTQ-themed “Treading Water.” After a hiatus from film, Anna Gunn returned to the big screen in 2011 with a role in the Kevin Smith horror thriller “Red State.” Additional credits include “Little Red Wagon,” “Sassy Pants,” the Wall Street drama “Equity,” the Clint Eastwood biopic “Sully,” and the Jim Gaffigan comedy “Being Frank.” While specific financial details about her film roles are not publicly available, her consistent work in both independent and mainstream films contributes to her overall income and net worth.
Other Media and Stage Work
Beyond television and film, Anna Gunn has also contributed to other media. She starred in the off-Broadway show “Sex with Strangers,” directed by David Schwimmer at Second Stage Theatre. Her involvement in stage productions demonstrates her range as an actress and her commitment to live performance, which can supplement her income through performance fees. Anna has also lent her voice to video games, portraying the character of Ariel in the “Legacy of Kain” series. Voice acting in video games can be a lucrative source of income, with established actors earning significant fees for their work. For instance, a lead voice actor in a major video game franchise can earn anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the scope of their role and the popularity of the game. Given that Anna Gunn voiced Ariel in multiple installments of the “Legacy of Kain” series, she likely earned a substantial amount from this work, further contributing to her net worth.
Anna Gunn’s Personal Life and Real Estate
In 1990, Anna Gunn married Scottish actor and real estate broker Alastair Duncan. They had two daughters, Eila Rose and Emma, before divorcing in 2009. In the early 2000s, Gunn purchased a home in the Hollywood Hills for approximately $1.7 million. This property, built in 1965 and remodeled, was a 2,447-square-foot house featuring five bedrooms, two bathrooms, an atrium courtyard, a swimming pool and spa, and a lounging deck. In 2016, she sold the property. The purchase and sale of real estate can significantly impact an individual’s net worth, depending on market conditions and property appreciation. For example, if Anna Gunn sold the house for $2.5 million, she would have made a profit of $800,000 before taxes and fees.