Net Worth Ranker
What Is Candice Bergen’s Net Worth?
Candice Bergen, a multifaceted American personality known for her acting, producing, and prior modeling career, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $50 million. This substantial wealth reflects her successful engagements across various entertainment platforms, most notably her iconic role in the television sitcom “Murphy Brown,” which significantly bolstered her financial standing.
Candice Bergen’s “Murphy Brown” Era
Bergen’s portrayal of Murphy Brown, a sharp-witted broadcast journalist, aired across 247 episodes between 1988 and 1998, followed by a brief revival of 13 episodes in 2018. This role not only defined a significant part of her career but also earned her five Emmy Awards. According to anecdotal sources, Bergen purportedly requested the cessation of her Emmy nominations to allow other actresses recognition, although this remains unverified.
During the peak of “Murphy Brown,” Candice Bergen’s salary reached an impressive $250,000 per episode, positioning her among the highest-paid actors on television at the time. This substantial income over the ten seasons of the original run and the subsequent reboot significantly contributed to her current net worth.
Early Career and Film Appearances
Before her success in “Murphy Brown,” Bergen established herself as a versatile actress in the 1960s and 1970s. She showcased her acting range in both dramatic and comedic roles. Among her film credits, “The Sand Pebbles” (1966), co-starring Steve McQueen, stands out. The film garnered multiple Academy Award nominations, marking a significant milestone in her early career. Another noteworthy film appearance was in “Carnal Knowledge” (1971), which earned her widespread critical acclaim for her performance. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for “Starting Over” (1979).
Candice Patricia Bergen was born on May 9, 1946, in Beverly Hills, California. Her father, Edgar Bergen, was a famous actor/comedian/ventriloquist, and her mother, Frances, was a model. Bergen was raised in Beverly Hills and attended Harvard-Westlake School. In her youth, at the age of 11, she appeared on her father’s radio and TV programs, as well as on Groucho Marx’s quiz show “You Bet Your Life.”
Bergen attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she participated in campus activities such as Miss University and Homecoming Queen. However, she was asked to leave at the end of her second year due to academic issues. Despite this, she received an honorary doctorate from the school in May 1992.
Post-“Murphy Brown” TV Roles and Guest Appearances
Following “Murphy Brown,” Bergen starred in “Boston Legal,” portraying the character Shirley Schmidt. This role earned her critical acclaim and multiple Emmy nominations. Her television career included guest appearances on popular shows like “Seinfeld,” “Sex and the City,” and “Will & Grace.” She also had roles in “House” and the movie “Book Club” (2018).
In 1977, Bergen achieved a milestone as the first woman to host “Saturday Night Live.” She later became the first woman to join the “Five-Timers Club” after hosting the show for the fifth time in 1990, solidifying her status in the entertainment industry.
Authorship and Creative Ventures
Bergen is an accomplished author and photographer. She published her memoir “Knock Wood” in 1984, which became a bestseller, followed by “A Fine Romance” in 2015. These literary works provide insights into her life and career, contributing to her public persona and additional income streams.
After playing Murphy Brown, CBS approached Bergen with an offer to work as a real-life journalist for “60 Minutes.” She declined the offer, citing her desire to avoid blurring the lines between acting and journalism. This decision reflects her commitment to maintaining her professional integrity and focus on her acting career.
Real Estate Holdings and Investments
Bergen’s real estate portfolio includes properties across the United States, adding to her financial stability. In 1996, she purchased a 3-acre compound in Beverly Hills for $3.1 million and sold it in 2010 for $10.25 million, demonstrating a substantial profit from this investment. She and her husband, Marshall Rose, own homes in East Hampton, New York, Montecito, California, and an apartment in New York City, which is estimated to be worth over $20 million. Marshall Rose acquired the NYC apartment in the 1970s, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis lived in the same building.
In December 2020, Bergen and Rose listed their East Hampton home for $18 million. Rose had acquired this property in the 1980s during his marriage to his previous wife, Jill, who passed away in 1996. Bergen and Rose married in 2000, and in 2004, they undertook a major renovation of the property. In February 2021, they purchased a condo at 825 Fifth Avenue in New York City for $2.15 million and listed it for sale in May 2023 for $2.175 million.
Additional Film and TV Appearances
Later in her career, Bergen frequently played authority figures or social status symbols in films such as “Miss Congeniality” (2000) and “Sweet Home Alabama” (2002). In 2003, she appeared in “View from the Top.” She also hosted “Exhale with Candice Bergen” on the Oxygen network, showcasing her versatility in different media formats.
Bergen played the role of high-powered lawyer Shirley Schmidt on the hit comedy-drama series “Boston Legal” for five seasons. This role earned her a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award, highlighting her continued success in television.
Charles Manson Connection
In the late 1960s, Bergen dated music producer Terry Melcher, the son of singer/actress Doris Day. Charles Manson, an aspiring musician, approached Melcher, hoping he could help launch his career. Manson even visited the house Melcher and Bergen shared at 10050 Cielo Drive in Los Angeles to pitch his music. This house was later occupied by actress Sharon Tate and director Roman Polanski.
On August 9, 1969, Manson’s followers murdered Tate and several of her house guests at the mansion. There was speculation that Manson thought Melcher and Bergen still lived at the property, seeking revenge for the rejection of his music. However, it was later clarified that Manson knew Melcher and Bergen no longer lived there but targeted the residents as symbols of wealth and success.
Personal Life and Relationships
Bergen married French film director Louis Malle in 1980, and they had a daughter in 1985. They remained married until Malle’s death from cancer on Thanksgiving Day in 1995. In 2000, she married real estate magnate and philanthropist Marshall Rose, further intertwining her life with significant financial resources.
Broadway and Stage Appearances
In 2012, Bergen made her Broadway debut in the revival of Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man,” followed by another appearance in 2014’s “Love Letters.” These stage roles added another dimension to her career and contributed to her overall net worth through performance fees and recognition.
