Overview

Cynthia Ellen Nixon, born on April 9, 1966, is an accomplished American actress, activist, and theater director. She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in the HBO series ‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award. She reprised the role in the films ‘Sex and the City’ (2008) and ‘Sex and the City 2’ (2010), as well as the television show ‘And Just Like That…’ (2021–present). Nixon made her Broadway debut in ‘The Philadelphia Story’ in 1980 and has appeared in numerous stage productions, earning a Tony Award for her performance in ‘Rabbit Hole’. Beyond acting, Nixon has been a vocal activist, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, educational equality, and other progressive causes. In 2018, she ran for Governor of New York. She continues to be a respected figure in both the entertainment industry and political activism.

What Is Cynthia Nixon’s Net Worth?

Cynthia Nixon, renowned for her versatile acting career and political endeavors, has accumulated a substantial net worth. As of 2025, Cynthia Nixon’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to her successful career in television, film, and theater, with significant contributions from her role as Miranda Hobbes on HBO’s “Sex and the City” and its subsequent revivals.

Career Earnings and Financial Highlights

Nixon’s journey to a $20 million net worth began with early roles in film and television. Her breakthrough came with “Sex and the City,” where she portrayed Miranda Hobbes in 94 episodes from 1998 to 2004. The show’s popularity led to film adaptations, further boosting her earnings.

For the first “Sex and the City” film in 2008, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis each earned $3 million, while Sarah Jessica Parker took home $13 million, and Kim Cattrall secured $7 million. By the time “Sex and the City 2” was released in 2010, Cynthia and Kristin’s salaries had increased to $4 million each.

In January 2021, it was announced that “Sex and the City” would be revived as a 10-episode miniseries for HBO Max, titled “And Just Like That…”. Cynthia Nixon, along with Kristin Davis and Sarah Jessica Parker, reportedly earned $1 million per episode for the reboot, totaling $10 million. This significant payday substantially augmented Cynthia Nixon’s net worth. With the revival and the two films, before counting her earnings from the original run, Cynthia earned $17 million.

Tax records released in March 2018 during her campaign for governor of New York revealed that Cynthia earned $1.3 million in 2017 alone. This income was derived from salary, capital gains, residuals, and investments. After deductions, she and her wife reported an adjusted income of $619,799. Her primary source of income came from her S Corp, Fickle Mermaid, which she established in 1999 to manage her finances. Nixon drew $400,000 in income from Fickle Mermaid, which received over $1 million in payments in 2017.

Beyond “Sex and the City,” Nixon has appeared in numerous other projects, including “Amadeus” (1984), “The Manhattan Project” (1986), “Warm Springs” (2005), “A Quiet Passion” (2016), and “Ratched” (2020). She also starred in the HBO series “The Gilded Age,” which premiered in 2022, further adding to her income streams. Her consistent work in diverse roles has solidified her financial success.

Real Estate Holdings

Cynthia Nixon’s real estate portfolio contributes to her overall net worth. In 2012, Nixon and her wife, Christine Marinoni, purchased a 2,500 square foot, four-bedroom apartment in Manhattan for $3.25 million. This property serves as a significant asset.

Four years later, in 2016, the couple expanded their real estate holdings by acquiring a two-bedroom apartment in the East Village for $1.49 million. According to property records, Cynthia and Christine co-own this apartment with Michael Growler, who worked as a dresser on both “Sex and the City” films, and actor William Bowers. This investment indicates a diversified approach to wealth management.

In June 2021, Cynthia Nixon further increased her real estate assets by purchasing a 5,000 square-foot townhouse in New York City for $4.4 million. This substantial investment demonstrates her continued confidence in the New York real estate market. The combined value of these properties contributes a notable portion to Cynthia Nixon’s net worth.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Cynthia Ellen Nixon was born on April 9, 1966, in Manhattan, New York City. Her early life was marked by the influence of her parents: her mother, Anne, was an actress, and her father, Walter, was a radio journalist. When Cynthia was six years old, her parents divorced, which led to her mother working on “To Tell the Truth.” At the age of nine, Nixon herself appeared on the show as one of the “impostors,” pretending to be a junior horse-riding champion. This early exposure to the entertainment industry undoubtedly shaped her future career path.

Nixon’s educational background includes attending Hunter College Elementary School and Hunter College High School. She often took time off from school to participate in stage productions and movies, demonstrating her commitment to her acting career from a young age. After graduating in 1984, she enrolled at Barnard College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. As a freshman, she simultaneously appeared in two Broadway productions, “The Real Thing” and “Hurlyburly.” She also participated in a Semester at Sea Program in 1986, showcasing her diverse interests and experiences.

Her early career involved appearances in various television episodes and films. In 1979, Nixon appeared in “The Rocking Chair Rebellion” episode of “NBC Special Treat” and “The Seven Wishes of a Rich Kid” episode of “ABC Afterschool Special.” The following year, she made both her film and Broadway debut, appearing in the movie “Little Darlings” and a production of “The Philadelphia Story” at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. These early roles, though not highly lucrative, provided valuable experience and laid the foundation for her future success.

Following these initial appearances, Cynthia continued to build her resume with roles in films such as “Tattoo” (1981), “Prince of the City” (1981), and “I Am the Cheese” (1983), as well as the TV movie “My Body, My Child” (1982). Her first major role came in 1986 with the film “The Manhattan Project,” followed by a main role on the HBO series “Tanner ’88” in 1988. While these roles contributed to her early income, they were not significant factors in the overall calculation of Cynthia Nixon’s net worth, which primarily stems from her later work on “Sex and the City” and subsequent projects.

Notable Film and Television Roles

Throughout the 1990s, Nixon continued to work steadily, appearing in films such as “The Pelican Brief” (1993), “Addams Family Values” (1993), “Baby’s Day Out” (1994), and “Marvin’s Room” (1996). She also made guest appearances on television shows like “Law & Order” (1990), “Murder, She Wrote” (1993), and “Early Edition” (1996). While these roles contributed to her income, they were not as significant as her later work on “Sex and the City.”

Her portrayal of Eleanor Roosevelt in the 2005 HBO film “Warm Springs” marked another high point in her career, showcasing her versatility as an actress. She also guest-starred on popular TV series such as “ER” (2005), “House” (2005), and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2007), further expanding her reach and earning potential.

Nixon then appeared in 10 episodes of the Showtime series “The Big C” (2010–2011) and starred in the films “Lymelife” (2009), “An Englishman in New York” (2009), and “Rampart” (2011), as well as the miniseries “World Without End” (2012). She had recurring roles on Amazon Studios’ “Alpha House” (2013–2014) and NBC’s “Hannibal” (2014), and she earned critical acclaim for the 2015 films “James White” and “Stockholm, Pennsylvania.”

In 2016, Cynthia portrayed Emily Dickinson in the film “A Quiet Passion” and Nancy Reagan in the National Geographic Channel movie “Killing Reagan.” In 2020, she began playing Gwendolyn Briggs on the Netflix series “Ratched,” and in recent years, she has appeared in the films “The Only Living Boy in New York” (2017), “The Parting Glass” (2018), and “Stray Dolls” (2019). These diverse roles have contributed to her consistent income and overall financial stability, supporting the estimated Cynthia Nixon’s net worth.

Broadway Success and Awards

In addition to her film and television work, Cynthia Nixon has had a successful career on Broadway. She has been nominated for four Tony Awards, winning Best Actress in a Play for “Rabbit Hole” in 2006 and Best Featured Actress in a Play for “The Little Foxes” in 2017. These accolades not only enhance her reputation but also contribute to her earning potential through increased demand for her performances.

Nixon’s talent and contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized with numerous awards and nominations. She has been nominated for five Primetime Emmys, winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “Sex and the City” in 2004 and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 2008. She has also earned six Golden Globe nominations for “Sex and the City,” “Warm Springs,” and “Ratched,” and she has been nominated for eight Gold Derby Awards, winning Drama Guest Actress for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 2008.

Cynthia has won a Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress for “James White” and a FilmOut San Diego Best Supporting Actress award for “An Englishman in New York,” and she received an Online Film & Television Association Award for “Sex and the City.” The cast of “Sex and the City” won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, and Nixon was also nominated for “Warm Springs.” The cast also won a Women in Film Lucy Award in 1999, and they earned an Ensemble Award at the 2010 ShoWest Convention for “Sex and the City 2.”

Cynthia won a Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role- Drama for “Stockholm, Pennsylvania” and a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “An Inconvenient Truth.” She received a Muse Award from the New York Women in Film & Television in 2008 and a Vito Russo Award from the GLAAD Media Awards in 2010, and she was presented with the Faith Hubley Memorial Award at the 2016 Provincetown International Film Festival. These awards not only celebrate her talent but also enhance her marketability, contributing to her overall financial success and supporting the estimated Cynthia Nixon’s net worth.

Political Activities and Income

In 2018, Cynthia Nixon ran for governor of New York, challenging incumbent Andrew Cuomo. While she ultimately lost the Democratic primary with 34% of the vote compared to Cuomo’s 66%, the campaign brought significant attention to her and her political views. Although the campaign itself did not directly contribute to her net worth, the increased visibility may have indirectly influenced her career opportunities.

As part of her political campaign, Nixon released her tax records, providing insight into her income. In 2017, she earned $1.3 million through salary, capital gains, residuals, and investments. After deductions, she and her wife reported an adjusted income of $619,799. Her primary source of income came from her S Corp, Fickle Mermaid, which she established in 1999 to manage her finances. Nixon drew $400,000 in income from the S Corp, which received over $1 million in payments in 2017. The same return showed that she and her wife paid $28,331 in real estate taxes.

Nixon has also been involved in various advocacy efforts, including serving as an Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and a spokesperson for New York’s Alliance for Quality Education. She has campaigned for Bill de Blasio and Bernie Sanders, and in 2021, she criticized her former gubernatorial opponent, Andrew Cuomo, over his sexual harassment allegations and handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. While these activities do not directly impact her net worth, they reflect her commitment to social and political causes, which may influence her public image and career choices.

© 2025 Net Worth Ranker / All Rights Reserved