What Is Dave Foley’s Net Worth?
Dave Foley, a multifaceted Canadian talent excelling as a comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $1.5 million. This figure reflects his extensive career in entertainment, although it has been notably impacted by a protracted and contentious financial dispute with his former spouse.
Dave Foley’s Career Highlights and Earnings
Foley’s career began in the early 1980s when he met Kevin McDonald at the Toronto Second City Training Centre. This meeting led to the formation of the iconic comedy troupe “The Kids in the Hall” in 1984, alongside Mark McKinney, Bruce McCulloch, and Scott Thompson. “The Kids in the Hall” series, which aired on HBO and CBC from 1988 to 1995, comprised 102 episodes over five seasons and significantly boosted Foley’s early career. While specific financial details from this period are not publicly available, the show’s success undoubtedly contributed to his rising profile and income.
The mid-to-late 1990s marked a high point in Foley’s earnings, particularly during his tenure on the NBC sitcom “NewsRadio” (1995–1999). As Dave Nelson, he became a central figure in the critically acclaimed series, appearing in all 97 episodes. At the peak of his career, Foley’s annual income reportedly reached $1 million. However, detailed breakdowns of his “NewsRadio” salary, including bonuses or residuals, are not publicly accessible. After “NewsRadio” ended in 1999, Dave appeared in films such as “Monkeybone” (2001), “Run Ronnie Run” (2002), “Stark Raving Mad” (2002), “Employee of the Month” (2004), “Childstar” (2004), “Sky High” (2005), and “Coopers’ Camera” (2008) and guest-starred on “Becker” (2001), “Just Shoot Me!” (2002), “The King of Queens” (2003), “Las Vegas” (2005), “Scrubs” (2006–2007), “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (2007–2009), “In Plain Sight” (2008), “Brothers & Sisters” (2008), and “Stargate: Atlantis” (2008).
Foley’s career continued with notable roles in television and film. He had recurring roles on “Will & Grace” in 2004 and as Dr. Fulton on “The Middle” from 2012 to 2018. Foley appeared in the films “Vampires Suck” (2010), “Monster Brawl” (2011), and “Freeloaders” (2012), the miniseries “The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town” (2010), and the TV shows “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2010–2013), “Desperate Housewives” (2011), “How I Met Your Mother” (2011), “Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time” (2011), “Maron” (2013), “Veep” (2013), and “Justified” (2014). He starred in the stand-up comedy special “Dave Foley: Relatively Well” in 2013, and he was a series regular on the CBS series “How to Be a Gentleman” from 2011 to 2012 and ABC’s “Dr. Ken” from 2015 to 2017. In recent years, Foley has appeared in the films “Second Act” (2018) and “Benjamin” (2019) and the television series “Bobcat Goldthwait’s Misfits & Monsters” (2018), “Drunk History” (2019), “Fresh Off the Boat” (2020), “Superstore” (2021), and “The Morning Show” (2021). Specific income details for these roles remain private, but they collectively contribute to his ongoing earnings.
Foley also expanded his career into voice acting, providing the voice for Flik in “A Bug’s Life” (1998). While the exact compensation for this role is not available, the film’s global box office success, grossing over $363 million, suggests a significant payday for Foley. Further voice roles included the Baldwin brothers in “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” (1999), Terry in “Monsters University” (2013), Wayne in the “Prep & Landing” shorts (2009–2011), Bob the Dog on “Committed” (2001), and Chris on “Dan Vs.” (2011–2013). These roles, while potentially smaller individually, collectively add to his income stream. In March 2020, it was announced that Amazon Prime would be reviving the series.
Financial Challenges and Divorce Settlement Impacting Dave Foley’s Net Worth
A significant factor impacting Dave Foley’s net worth was his divorce from humor columnist Tabatha Southey in 1997. The couple, who married in 1991, had two children, Edmund (born in 1991) and Basil (born in 1995). Following their separation, Foley’s income declined substantially due to the cancellation of “NewsRadio” and subsequent difficulty in securing another steady network TV job. Despite an estimated 90% drop in income, a Canadian court ruled that Foley was obligated to maintain his children and ex-wife’s accustomed standard of living. The resulting judgment required Foley to pay $10,700 per month until their children turned 18, with the obligation extending until age 22 if they pursued college education.
At the time of the divorce finalization, Foley’s children were young, and the financial burden was substantial. Foley claimed that the $10,700 monthly payment represented approximately 400% of his average monthly income. To meet this obligation after taxes and fees, he reportedly needed to earn around $40,000 per month. This financial strain led to significant debt, with Foley falling over $500,000 behind on payments. The situation escalated to the point where he risked imprisonment if he entered Canada, where his children resided. While specific details of the 2013 settlement with Southey are not publicly disclosed, it allowed Foley to resolve the dispute and eventually return to Canada. However, the prolonged financial strain undoubtedly affected his overall net worth.
Real Estate Assets
In November 2000, Dave Foley purchased a home in Los Angeles for $300,000. While the exact address is not publicly available, the property’s current estimated value is around $1.5 million. This real estate asset contributes to Foley’s overall net worth. The house is located in Los Angeles.
Personal Life and Background
David Scott Foley was born on January 4, 1963, in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. His mother, Mary, was from Stafford, England, and his father, Michael, worked as a steamfitter. Foley’s early life and upbringing in Canada influenced his comedic sensibilities and career path. He dropped out of high school to pursue comedy full-time. Foley spent approximately a year at the Toronto Second City Training Centre. Foley’s early life and upbringing in Canada influenced his comedic sensibilities and career path.
Foley has been married twice. He married actress Crissy Guerrero on August 1, 2002, and they welcomed a daughter, Alina, on April 16, 2003. Alina has followed in her parents’ footsteps as an actress, with roles in “Days of Our Lives” and “The League.” Foley and Guerrero divorced in 2008 but later remarried in 2016. Foley has been open about his struggles with depression and past alcohol use, noting that he gave up alcohol in 2014 after a fall that resulted in a head injury and a four-day hospital stay for a subdural hematoma.
Awards and Recognition
Dave Foley has received numerous nominations and awards throughout his career. He has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program (1993) and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program (1994 and 1995) for “The Kids in the Hall” and Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for “Prep & Landing” (2010). He has earned two Canadian Comedy Award nominations, winning Best Performance by a Male – Television for “Less Than Kind” in 2010, and he received Canadian Screen Award nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role for “Spun Out” in 2015 and 2016.
“The Wrong Guy” won a Film Discovery Jury Award for Best Screenplay at the 1999 US Comedy Arts Festival, and the Vancouver Film Critics Circle named Dave Best Supporting Actor – Canadian Film for “Childstar” in 2005. Foley has earned 10 Gemini Award nominations, taking home the prize for Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Program or Series for “The Kids in the Hall” (1989 and 1990), Best Performance in a Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series (1989), and Best Performance in a Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble) (1993) for “The Kids in the Hall.” Nine of his Gemini Award nominations were for “The Kids in the Hall,” and one was for “The True Meaning of Christmas Specials.” Dave has received three Online Film & Television Association Award nominations, Best Actor in a Comedy Series for “NewsRadio” in 1998 and Best Family Actor and Best Voice-Over Performance for “A Bug’s Life” in 1999.
Foley has also earned nominations from the Behind the Voice Actors Awards (Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film for “Monsters University”), CableACE Awards (Comedy Series for “The Kids in the Hall”), Hoboken International Film Festival (Best Supporting Actor for ” Postal”), and Visual Effects Society Awards (Outstanding Animated Character in a Broadcast Program or Commercial for “Prep & Landing”). While these awards do not directly translate into monetary gains, they enhance his reputation and potential for future opportunities.
Additional Ventures and Appearances
In addition to his acting and voice work, Foley hosted “Celebrity Poker Showdown” from 2004 to 2006. While specific financial details regarding his hosting salary are not available, such opportunities contribute to his overall income. Foley has also lent his voice to video games, including “A Bug’s Life” (1998), “Fallout: New Vegas” (2010), and “Lego The Incredibles” (2018). Compensation for voice work in video games can vary significantly depending on the role and the game’s success, but these projects contribute to his overall earnings.