Net Worth Ranker
What Is Drew Carey’s Net Worth?
Drew Carey, the multifaceted American actor, comedian, television host, and sports team owner, has amassed a considerable net worth of $165 million. This financial success stems from a variety of ventures in the entertainment industry, including starring in “The Drew Carey Show,” hosting “The Price Is Right,” and his involvement in improv comedy. His career demonstrates a remarkable blend of comedic talent, business acumen, and strategic investment, making him a prominent figure in the world of entertainment and beyond.
Earnings From Television and Comedy
Carey’s financial success in television began with “The Drew Carey Show,” where he starred as a fictionalized version of himself. The show, set in Cleveland, Ohio, resonated with audiences for its humor and relatable portrayal of everyday life. At his peak, specifically in 1998, Carey’s earnings reached $45 million annually, which, adjusted for inflation, is equivalent to approximately $70 million today. Between 2001 and 2004, Carey earned $750,000 per episode. Factoring in inflation, this amounts to around $1 million per episode. During those three seasons, he filmed 79 episodes, garnering him $59,250,000 before inflation adjustments.
Beyond “The Drew Carey Show,” Carey significantly contributed to the world of improvisational comedy, most notably as the host of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” which ran for 220 episodes. He also co-produced and starred in “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show,” a spin-off of “Whose Line?” and hosted “Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza.” This show featured many of the same performers from the original show performing improv based on audience-provided suggestions, further cementing his reputation in the comedy scene.
“The Price Is Right” Salary and Hosting Career
Drew Carey took over as the host of “The Price Is Right,” succeeding Bob Barker in 2007. As of today, Drew earns $12.5 million per year hosting “Price”. This significant salary places him among the top 20 highest-paid TV hosts globally. He taped his first “The Price” episode in August 2007, and the episodes began airing in October 2007. Carey celebrated his 10th anniversary as host of the show in 2017, becoming only the second host alongside Bob Barker to celebrate the achievement.
Before taking on “The Price Is Right,” Carey also hosted the CBS game show pilot “Power of 10” (August 2007-January 2008). The taping of this pilot led to CBS approaching him about the possibility of replacing Bob Barker, marking a transition in his career from sitcom star to game show host.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Drew Allison Carey was born on May 23, 1958, and was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, as the youngest of three sons. He graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School in 1975, where he played the trumpet in the marching band. He continued his education at Kent State University, where he was expelled twice for poor academic performance. Carey eventually left the college after three years and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1980. As a Marine, he served for six years as a field radio operator in Ohio. He began his comedy career in 1985 after his friend David Lawrence suggested he borrow books from the library on how to write jokes. In 1986, he became Master of Ceremonies at the Cleveland Comedy Club after winning an open mic contest.
Carey gained national recognition as a comedian when he appeared on the 1988 show “Star Search,” followed by appearances on shows such as “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” His first stand-up comedy special, “Drew Carey: Human Cartoon,” aired on Showtime in 1994 and won him a CableACE Award for Best Writing. This success paved the way for supporting roles in television shows and films such as “Coneheads” (1993) and the sitcom “The Good Life” (1994). Together with writer Bruce Helford, Carey developed the storyline for “The Drew Carey Show,” which premiered on ABC in September 1995. Over its nine-year run, it had a total of 233 episodes.
Seattle Sounders Investment
Beyond his entertainment career, Drew Carey has diversified his portfolio by investing in sports, particularly soccer. He owns 7.5% of the Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer team. While the initial amount invested remains undisclosed, the current valuation of the Sounders provides insight into the potential value of his investment. In June 2022, a new investor purchased a 3 to 5% stake in the Sounders from one of the other partners. This new unnamed investor bought their stake at a reported $680 million overall team valuation. At that level Drew Carey’s 7.5% stake was worth $51 million.
Business Ventures and Other Pursuits
Carey’s career is also marked by several business ventures and other pursuits that contributed to his overall net worth. He first began appearing in commercials in the late 1990s. His two-year contract with A&W Food Services of Canada was cut short in November 1998 after an episode of “The Drew Carey Show” featured McDonald’s, and Carey sued the corporation for compensation. In 1999, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida) debuted an attraction, “Sounds Dangerous!” that featured Carey. Additionally, he also published his autobiography “Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined” in 1997. Carey briefly participated in professional wrestling; He entered the 2001 Royal Rumble and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.
Drew Carey Show Salary and Earnings
During his time on The Drew Carey Show, Drew was one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world, earning the inflation-adjusted equivalent of $1 million per episode.
Personal Life and Activism
Carey’s personal life has included engagements to Nicole Jaracz from 2007 to 2012 and to sex therapist Amie Harwick in January 2018, although the couple ended their engagement later that year in November. In February 2020, Harwick was found dead in Hollywood Hills. Beyond his personal relationships, Carey has also been an advocate for various causes, including public libraries, donating time and money to keep them open and operational. He is also an outspoken member of the Libertarian party, advocating for limited government and lower taxes.
