Net Worth Ranker
What Is H. Jon Benjamin’s Net Worth?
H. Jon Benjamin, a versatile American actor, writer, and comedian, has cultivated a successful career spanning various entertainment mediums. His estimated net worth currently stands at $4 million, reflecting his contributions to television, film, and voice acting. This financial standing is the culmination of decades of work, beginning with his early comedy performances and evolving into prominent roles in animated series and live-action productions.
Early Career and Comedy Beginnings
Harry Jon Benjamin was born on May 23, 1966, in Worcester, Massachusetts. While his given first name was Harry, he was primarily known by his middle name, Jon. Raised in a Jewish household by his mother, Shirley, a former ballet dancer who taught at a dance studio, and his father, Howard, who served as the CEO of an electric company, Benjamin’s upbringing provided a stable foundation for his future pursuits. He attended Worcester Academy, graduating in 1984, before pursuing higher education at Connecticut College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1988.
Benjamin’s foray into comedy began in Boston, where he partnered with Sam Seder to form a comedy duo. Seder, at the time, was a member of Cross Comedy, a comedy team led by comedian David Cross. This early collaboration marked the beginning of Benjamin’s exploration of comedic performance. Throughout his early career, Benjamin often engaged in group work, highlighting his collaborative spirit. He later ventured into solo performances, often of an experimental nature, diverging from traditional stand-up comedy. Some of his live projects include “Midnight Pajama Jam,” performed in New York City with Jon Glaser, and “Tinkle,” a blend of stand-up comedy and live music co-hosted by Todd Barry and David Cross. Additionally, Benjamin and Cross collaborated on the comedy album “Invite Them Up.” This period laid the groundwork for his subsequent success in voice acting and writing.
Voice Acting and Writing Career
Benjamin’s extensive voice-acting work is a significant contributor to his net worth. He began this aspect of his career in 1995 with “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist,” where he not only voiced the character Ben but also wrote for the show. He appeared in a total of 80 episodes, working on the show from 1995 to 1999 and then returning in 2002. From 1997 to 2000, Benjamin lent his voice to Professor Nick Parson on “Science Court” for 29 episodes. His involvement in the animated series “Home Movies” from 1999 to 2004 saw him voicing multiple characters, including Coach John McGuirk and Jason Penopolis, while also serving as a writer and producer for the show.
In 2004, Benjamin’s voice was featured in “O’Grady,” where he voiced several characters until 2006. Between 2001 and 2009, he contributed to “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” by voicing various characters across multiple episodes. From 2005 to 2007, he wrote for “Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil” and voiced the character of Satan. His voice acting portfolio also includes roles in “Family Guy” beginning in 2006. Benjamin was also the voice of The Mayor on “Assy McGee,” a show he helped write and produce. From 2007 to 2015, he voiced characters on “Word Girl.”
A significant boost to his career and net worth came in 2009 when he began voicing the lead character, Sterling Archer, in the animated series “Archer.” Benjamin remained on the show through 2023. In 2011, he took on another significant voice role as Bob Belcher, the main character in “Bob’s Burgers,” and continues to voice additional characters on the show. In 2014, he was honored as the year’s best male comedy performer for his work on “Bob’s Burgers” and “Archer” by the Vulture TV Awards, an extension of “New York” magazine. These roles in “Archer” and “Bob’s Burgers” have not only contributed to his net worth but also cemented his status as a prominent voice actor in adult animation.
Film and Television Appearances
In addition to his voice acting career, Benjamin has made appearances in television and film, including a guest role in an episode of “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” in 1999 and appearances on “Cheap Seats.” He co-starred in Todd Barry’s short film “Borrowing Saffron” and appeared as a can of vegetables in “Wet Hot American Summer.” Benjamin made a cameo appearance in “Not Another Teen Movie” as a football trainer and appeared in the FX Network comedy-drama “Rescue Me.” He also appeared in “Turbocharge – The Unauthorized Story of the Cars,” a comedy biopic about the 1980s rock band The Cars, where he played the role of the band’s manager, Elliot Roberts. In 2014, he had a cameo in “22 Jump Street” and appeared in “Jason Nash is Married.” In 2015, he appeared in “Creative Control” and in the short film “Limbo.” While these roles are diverse, his primary income drivers remain his voice acting and writing contributions.
Commercial and Video Game Work
Benjamin has expanded his reach beyond television and film by doing commercial work for brands like Coke Zero. He has also lent his voice to video games, including “Destiny 2” and “Destiny 2: The Witch Queen.” These ventures, though perhaps less prominent than his main roles, contribute to his overall income.
Personal Life and Additional Ventures
Benjamin is in a long-term relationship with set decorator Amy Beth Silver. They have a son named Judah and reside in Brooklyn, New York. Beyond his entertainment career, Benjamin has pursued other interests, including ornithology and politics. In January 2020, he endorsed Bernie Sanders for president and narrated videos on Sanders’s health care proposals. In September 2020, he voiced an animated version of himself to promote the Gravel Institute’s YouTube channel, a progressive left-wing advocacy group. He also wrote a comedic autobiography, “Failure is an Option: An Attempted Memoir,” published in May 2018, and narrated the audiobook. Furthermore, Benjamin released a jazz album in 2015, despite not playing any instruments, featuring Scott Kreitzer on saxophone, David Finck on bass, and Jonathan Preitz on drums. These diverse activities, while not directly contributing to his net worth in the same magnitude as his acting roles, reflect his wide-ranging interests and willingness to explore new creative avenues.
