What Is Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Net Worth?
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, an American actor celebrated for his role as Mitchell Pritchett in the ABC sitcom “Modern Family,” has accumulated a substantial net worth of $25 million. This financial achievement is a result of his successful career spanning television, film, and theatre.
Earnings from “Modern Family” and Other Ventures
Ferguson’s role in “Modern Family” significantly contributed to his wealth. During the seasons filmed between 2014 and 2018, he earned $190,000 per episode. This figure increased substantially in 2018 when he and his co-stars received raises, bringing their earnings to $500,000 per episode. Over the later seasons, this translated to approximately $12 million per season.
Beyond “Modern Family,” Ferguson has also earned income from his roles in other television shows, films, and theatre productions. His appearances in “The Class,” “Ugly Betty,” and “Do Not Disturb,” as well as his voice work in “Ice Age: Collision Course,” have added to his overall earnings. His Broadway performances in “On the Town,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and “Fully Committed” have also contributed to his income.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on October 22, 1975, in Missoula, Montana, Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s journey to a $25 million net worth began in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His early interest in acting led him to join the Albuquerque Children’s Theater at the age of 8. During his time at St. Pius X High School, he actively participated in school productions, showcasing his talents in roles such as General Bullmoose in “Li’l Abner” and Albert Peterson in “Bye Bye Birdie.” Additionally, he honed his skills as a singer and dancer at Cliff’s Amusement Park during the summers. After graduating from high school in 1994, Ferguson moved to New York City to pursue his passion for acting at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Film and Television Career Details
Ferguson’s career in film and television commenced in 2000 with a role in the television movie “Sally Hemings: An American Scandal.” Subsequently, he appeared in the film “Ordinary Sinner” in 2001. In 2002, he had an uncredited role in an episode of “Absolutely Fabulous,” followed by a starring role in the short film “Mercury in Retrograde” in 2004. A significant step in his television career came in 2006 with his role in “The Class,” where he appeared in 19 episodes before the show’s cancellation in 2007. He further expanded his television presence with guest appearances on ABC’s “Ugly Betty” in 2007 and 2010, and a co-starring role alongside Niecy Nash and Jerry O’Connell in the Fox sitcom “Do Not Disturb” in 2008. Before landing his breakout role in “Modern Family,” Ferguson also featured in the films “Untraceable” (2008) and “Wonderful World” (2009). His portrayal of Mitchell Pritchett, an openly gay lawyer in “Modern Family,” marked a pivotal moment in his career. The series, which spanned 250 episodes over 11 seasons, not only brought him widespread recognition but also significantly boosted his earnings. During his time on “Modern Family,” Ferguson diversified his television work by serving as a guest judge on seven episodes of “So You Think You Can Dance” (2011–2013), guest-starring on five episodes of Lisa Kudrow’s “Web Therapy,” and making appearances on various shows such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (2012), “Project Runway” (2013), “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (2015), “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (2015), and “Drop the Mic” (2017). In 2019, he also featured in Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down” music video, which garnered MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year and Video for Good. Ferguson took on the role of host for HGTV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in 2020.
Theatre Career Highlights
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s theatre career began with his Broadway debut in a 1998 revival of “On the Town.” A significant role came with the creation of Leaf Coneybear in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” where he performed from 2005 to 2008. He also appears on the Grammy-nominated Broadway cast recording. Ferguson has participated in the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park on multiple occasions, showcasing his talent in productions such as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Winter’s Tale,” “The Merchant of Venice,” and “A Comedy of Errors.” In 2012, he starred as Leo Bloom in “The Producers” and as Sir Robin in “Spamalot” in 2015 at the Hollywood Bowl. He returned to Broadway in 2016 to star in the solo show “Fully Committed.” His theatre credits also include appearances in productions of “Hair,” “SantaLand Diaries,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” and “Little Fish.” In 2012, he starred in Dustin Lance Black’s “8” at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, a play reenacting the trial that overturned California’s ban on same-sex marriage (Proposition 8), with proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The performance was also broadcast on YouTube. Ferguson was scheduled to appear in “Take Me Out” on Broadway in April 2020, but the production was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Real Estate Investments
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s real estate portfolio reflects his financial success. In 2013, he purchased a 4,926 square foot home in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles for $4.55 million. This property, which once belonged to Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, features four bedrooms, a library, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a swimming pool, and a spa. The musicians had bought the house in 1998 for $1.4 million and sold it for $4.8 million in 2007. Jesse and Justin listed this home for sale in March 2021 for $7 million.
In 2018, Ferguson and Mikita expanded their real estate holdings by purchasing a 1,402 square foot apartment in New York City for $3.052 million. They had previously owned a 900 square foot NYC pied-à-terre, which they bought for $1.232 million in 2015 and put on the market for $1.495 million three years later.
Adding to their real estate ventures, in April 2021, shortly after selling their Los Feliz mansion, Jesse Tyler Ferguson acquired a home in the LA suburb of Encino for $8.7 million. These property investments contribute significantly to his overall net worth.
Personal Life and Charitable Contributions
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s personal life includes his marriage to lawyer Justin Mikita on July 20, 2013, with playwright/screenwriter Tony Kushner officiating the wedding. The couple has a son, Beckett, born on July 7, 2020. Ferguson and Mikita are actively involved in charitable endeavors, founding the non-profit organization “Tie The Knot” in 2012. This organization sells bow ties to raise funds in support of marriage equality.
In 2013, Jesse was appointed as a celebrity ambassador for the LGBT community by the American Civil Liberties Union and participated in the organization’s “Out for Freedom” campaign.
Awards and Nominations
Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s talent and contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized through numerous awards and nominations. He received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series every year from 2010 to 2014. The cast of “Modern Family” won Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, as well as a Gold Derby TV Award for Ensemble of the Year in 2010. The series also earned Jesse Supporting Actor nominations from the Online Film & Television Association, People’s Choice Awards, Gold Derby Awards, and GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics. Furthermore, Ferguson and co-star Eric Stonestreet were nominated for a TV Guide Award for Favorite TV Couple in 2012. In 2016, Jesse won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance for “Fully Committed,” and the cast of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in 2005.