Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dave Attell’s Net Worth?
Dave Attell, the American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, has accumulated a net worth of $6 million. This figure represents the culmination of his diverse career spanning stand-up comedy, television writing and hosting, acting roles, and voice acting.
Dave Attell’s Career Highlights and Earnings
Attell’s career began in the late 1980s, marked by early performances at open mic nights and a debut on VH1’s “Stand-Up Spotlight” in 1988. Although specific earnings from these early gigs are unavailable, they laid the foundation for his career in comedy.
His 1993 performance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” proved pivotal. It led to a writing position on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) from 1993 to 1994. During his time at SNL, Attell wrote for 20 episodes and appeared in seven, contributing to his growing profile and income. While the exact salary for SNL writers in the early 1990s isn’t public, writer salaries varied based on experience and contribution.
From 1993 to 1995, Attell also wrote for “The Jon Stewart Show,” further diversifying his income streams. Following these writing stints, he featured on “HBO Comedy Showcase” (1995) and received his own “HBO Comedy Half-Hour” special in 1996. These appearances increased his visibility and presumably led to higher-paying stand-up gigs.
Attell’s most prominent role came with “Insomniac with Dave Attell” on Comedy Central, which he hosted from 2001 to 2004. The show ran for 45 episodes, significantly boosting his recognition and income. Although specific salary details for his hosting duties are not public, it would have been a substantial contribution to his net worth. DVDs of “The Best of Insomniac Uncensored (Vol. 1)” and “The Best of Insomniac Uncensored (Vol. 2)” were released in 2003. Sales figures for these DVDs are not publicly available, but they would have added to his earnings through royalties.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Attell maintained a steady stream of television and film appearances, including roles in “Arrested Development” (2005), “Funny People” (2009), “Trainwreck” (2015), “The Jim Gaffigan Show” (2015–2016), and “Crashing” (2017–2019). These appearances, along with voice acting roles in “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist” (1995–1997), “Bob’s Burgers” (2017), and “The Simpsons” (2018), contributed to his income. Exact figures are not available for individual acting roles, but they collectively added to his net worth.
In 2003, Attell released his first comedy album, “Skanks for the Memories…,” and in 2006, the DVD “Hey, Your Mouth’s Not Pregnant!” was released. His first one-hour special, “Captain Miserable,” aired on HBO in 2007, followed by “Road Work” on Comedy Central in 2014. Revenue from album sales, DVD sales, and comedy specials contributes to his net worth; however, specific sales figures are not available.
In 2018, Attell toured with Jeff Ross, resulting in the Netflix documentary series “Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell.” While specific financial details of the Netflix deal aren’t public, this project significantly raised his profile and would have contributed to his earnings.
Dave Attell’s Stand-Up Career and Recognition
Attell’s first stand-up gig, though described as a “total bomb” at Governor’s in Levittown, set the stage for a relentless pursuit of comedy. Initial earnings from such gigs would have been minimal, but they provided invaluable experience. He made his TV debut on VH1’s “Stand-Up Spotlight” in 1988, a critical step for comedians at the time. In 1993, his performance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” was a turning point, catching the attention of Lorne Michaels and leading to his role at “Saturday Night Live”. Writing for 20 episodes of SNL and appearing in seven, Attell gained exposure and experience, albeit without publicly available salary details. The “HBO Comedy Showcase” in 1995 and the “1995 Young Comedians Special” were further milestones, culminating in his own “HBO Comedy Half-Hour” special in 1996.
His performances at events like “Pulp Comics” (1997), “Mr. Vegas All-Night Party Starring Drew Carey” (1997), and “Just for Laughs” (1997) expanded his audience. Attell’s nomination for an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic in 2001 underscored his rising popularity. The release of his comedy album “Skanks for the Memories…” in 2003 added a new income stream through sales and royalties, though specific figures are not disclosed. Later ventures included the DVD “Hey, Your Mouth’s Not Pregnant!” (2006) and the HBO special “Captain Miserable” (2007). In 2014, his one-hour special “Road Work” aired on Comedy Central. The 2018 tour with Jeff Ross led to “Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell” on Netflix. The financial specifics of his stand-up tours, comedy specials, and album sales are not public, but they collectively contribute to his earnings.
Attell’s commentary on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” from 1999 to 2002 enhanced his visibility, leading to his hosting role on “Insomniac with Dave Attell” from 2001 to 2004. The show, featuring visits to various cities, resulted in the DVDs “The Best of Insomniac Uncensored (Vol. 1)” and “The Best of Insomniac Uncensored (Vol. 2)” in 2003. His appearances on “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn” starting in 2002 and a role in “Arrested Development” in 2005 further diversified his resume. Attell hosted “The Gong Show with Dave Attell” on Comedy Central in 2008 and “Dave’s Old Porn” on Showtime from 2011 to 2012, and “Comedy Underground with Dave Attell” in 2014. He played himself on “The Jim Gaffigan Show” (2015-2016) and “Crashing” (2017-2019). Although the precise salaries for these TV roles are not available, each added to his financial portfolio.
Attell’s film career includes appearances in “Los Enchiladas!” (1999), “Pootie Tang” (2001), “Crazy for Love” (2005), and “Scary Movie 4” (2006). He played himself in Judd Apatow’s “Funny People” (2009) and voiced the Mystery Machine’s GPS in “Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo” (2010). He co-starred in “Trainwreck” (2015) and “I Feel Pretty” (2018). These acting roles, while varied, contributed to his income, though specific salary details are not public information. His net worth is largely derived from stand-up performances, television roles, and film appearances. While the exact breakdown of his income from each source remains undisclosed, his consistent work and diverse engagements have allowed him to amass a substantial net worth.
Personal Life and Early Career Foundations
David Attell was born on January 18, 1965, in Queens, New York, and grew up in Rockville Centre, New York. He was raised in a Jewish household, alongside his younger sister, Monica, who is a musician and has served as his opening act. Attell attended New York University, earning a communications degree in 1987. While studying at NYU, he began exploring comedy during open mic nights. Early performances, though unpaid or minimally compensated, were a crucial training ground for his later success. His communications degree provided a theoretical foundation for his future career, though the direct financial impact is difficult to quantify. After graduating from NYU, Attell continued to refine his stand-up routine, performing at various venues in and around New York City.
Details regarding Attell’s personal investments, real estate holdings, or ownership of private jets or luxury cars are not publicly available. These types of assets, if present, would contribute to his overall net worth but remain undisclosed. Dave Attell dated Sarah Silverman in the late 1980s. He is very good friends with Amy Schumer. Amy even initially named her son “Gene Attell Fischer” in his honor. Amy later changed Gene’s middle name to David after she realized that “Gene Attell” sounds like “genital.” Amy’s gesture of naming her son after Dave highlights the strong bonds he has forged within the comedy community. These relationships, while not directly contributing to his net worth, play a crucial role in his career and personal life.
Attell’s commitment to his craft is evident in his consistent performance schedule and diverse projects. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated adaptability, transitioning from writing to hosting, acting, and voice acting. His earnings are derived from a combination of these sources, although specific financial details are not publicly accessible. His net worth of $6 million reflects his long-term success and sustained presence in the entertainment industry. The information available indicates a stable and successful career trajectory, marked by consistent work and diverse income streams. Dave Attell’s career trajectory reflects consistent hard work, strategic diversification, and a keen understanding of the entertainment industry. Although precise financial figures are not disclosed, the available information supports a net worth of $6 million, reflecting his long-term success and sustained presence in comedy and entertainment.
