Overview

Jessica Paré, born on December 5, 1980, in Montreal, Quebec, is a Canadian actress known for her roles in both film and television. She grew up speaking both French and English and was exposed to the arts early on, as both of her parents were involved in acting. She studied drama at TheatreWorks and began her professional career with a role in the television movie ‘Bonanno: A Godfather’s Story’. Paré gained recognition for her performances in films such as ‘Stardom,’ ‘Lost and Delirious,’ and ‘Wicker Park.’ Her career progressed with appearances in various television projects, but her breakthrough role came as Megan Calvet (later Draper) in the hit series ‘Mad Men.’ She also played Officer Amanda Ellis in CBS’s SEAL Team. Paré has also appeared in the films Hot Tub Time Machine and Brooklyn. Beyond acting, Paré is also a musician. Her diverse roles and bilingual background have solidified her presence in both Canadian and American entertainment.

What Is Jessica Paré’s Net Worth?

Jessica Paré, a Canadian actress renowned for her roles in both film and television, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $3 million. This valuation is based on her acting career, encompassing earnings from her work on television series, films, and potentially residuals and other related ventures. While specific details regarding the breakdown of her assets are not publicly available, this figure represents a cumulative estimate based on her professional trajectory and known earnings.

Jessica Paré’s Career and Earnings

Paré’s journey in the entertainment industry began early in life, with participation in theater productions during her childhood. These early experiences led to her formal training with TheatreWorks, a touring educational theater company. Her professional debut arrived with a role in the television movie “Bonanno: A Godfather’s Story.” Following this initial exposure, she secured roles in a series of feature films throughout the early 2000s, including “Stardom,” “Lost and Delirious,” “Bollywood/Hollywood,” and “Wicker Park.” These roles, while varying in size and prominence, contributed to her early earnings and established her presence in the industry.

In addition to her film work, Paré took part in several mini-series, which broadened her exposure on television. Projects such as “Random Passage,” “Napoleon,” and “Lives of the Saints” allowed her to showcase her versatility and build her resume. She continued to take on various film projects, strategically positioning herself for more significant opportunities. Television series like “Jack and Bobby,” and “Life,” further expanded her presence on screen and offered diverse roles.

The breakthrough moment in Paré’s career came in 2010 when she was cast as Megan Calvet (later Draper) in the acclaimed AMC series “Mad Men.” This role brought her widespread recognition and significantly boosted her earnings. During her time on “Mad Men,” Jessica earned a salary of $20,000 per episode. With a substantial number of episodes across multiple seasons, this role became a major contributor to her net worth. Assuming that she was in all of the 54 episodes she was credited for, she would have earned 54 * 20,000 = $1,080,000 from Mad Men. This does not include residuals, which would be a percentage of the earnings from Mad Men when it is aired again or is streamed.

Beyond “Mad Men,” Paré has continued to secure roles in various projects. In 2017, she joined the main cast of the series “SEAL Team,” where she remained through 2022. Her involvement in “SEAL Team” would have provided a consistent income stream, which contributed to her net worth. While her exact salary for “SEAL Team” is not publicly available, it would likely have been a significant component of her earnings during that period, given her prominent role in the series. She also appeared in episodes of “Six,” “Atypical,” and “Big Hero 6: The Series”, further diversifying her income sources and sustaining her presence in the industry.

Her early roles, such as her appearance in the television series “Big Wolf on Campus” and the film “En Vacances,” provided initial earnings that supported her career. Although specific financial details for these early roles are not publicly disclosed, they were essential steps in establishing her career and contributing to her eventual net worth. Additionally, she had a role in the thriller film “Posers” in 2003 and also appeared in the CTV film “The Death and Life of Nancy Eaton,” playing the title role of the murdered heiress Nancy Eaton. These roles added to her acting portfolio and earnings during that period.

Early Life and Influences

Born on December 5, 1980, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Jessica Paré is the daughter of Anthony Paré, a former chair of the education department at McGill University, and Louise Mercier, a conference interpreter. Growing up in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood with her three brothers, Jessica was raised in a bilingual environment, speaking both French and English. Her parents’ interest in the arts played a significant role in her upbringing, with her father involved in acting and her mother participating in amateur productions.

Jessica attended Villa Maria, a private Catholic high school, where she received her education. She also studied drama at TheatreWorks, reinforcing her interest in acting. During her teenage years, she participated in over half a dozen amateur theater productions, including roles in “Robin Hood” and “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” These experiences gave her practical skills and built her confidence in performing. She later attended Dawson College, enrolling in the fine arts program, where she continued to cultivate her artistic talents.

During her final year of high school, Paré landed a small role in the television film “Bonanno: A Godfather’s Story.” This experience, combined with her theater background, solidified her decision to pursue a career in acting. Despite facing challenges in securing consistent work, she persevered, taking on small roles in television series and films. She also worked as a photographer’s assistant during periods when acting opportunities were scarce. This role would have provided her with a modest income. Despite these challenges, she continued to build her resume and refine her skills.

Career Milestones and Recognition

In 2000, Paré auditioned for a small part in the independent film “Stardom.” The director, Denys Arcand, recognized her potential and cast her in the lead role. In this film, she played a naïve ice hockey player who rose to international stardom as a supermodel. “Stardom” closed the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and received mixed reviews, but it significantly boosted Paré’s profile in the Canadian film industry. This marked a turning point in her career, providing her with more significant roles and greater recognition.

Following “Stardom,” Paré secured a starring role in “Lost and Delirious” (2001), a film about two lovers set in a girls’ boarding school. Although the film received mixed reviews at the Sundance Film Festival, Paré’s performance was widely praised. This role enhanced her reputation as a versatile actress. In 2002, she starred in the television miniseries “Random Passage,” based on Bernice Morgan’s novels. The same year, she appeared as Napoleon’s mistress in “Napoléon” and made a cameo as a pop singer in Deepa Mehta’s “Bollywood/Hollywood.” These roles expanded her experience in different genres and solidified her position in the Canadian film industry.

In 2003, Paré starred in the thriller film “Posers” and played the title role of Nancy Eaton in the CTV film “The Death and Life of Nancy Eaton.” She made her Hollywood debut in the film “Wicker Park” in 2004. The same year, she starred in the television miniseries “Lives of the Saints” and appeared in the mockumentary “See This Movie,” in addition to The WB teen drama series “Jack & Bobby.” These roles broadened her exposure to different audiences and contributed to her growing recognition in both Canada and the United States.

In 2011, Jessica appeared in “Beholder,” a short film directed by Nisha Ganatra. She also starred in “The Mountie,” a western film about the North-West Mounted Police in Canada. In 2012, she appeared on stage with The Jesus and Mary Chain and sang “Just Like Honey” for two concerts in Buffalo, New York, and Toronto. She also filmed the romantic comedy film “Standby,” in which she played the female lead. The film was released in 2014. These diverse roles added to her portfolio and demonstrated her versatility in different media.

In 2009, Jessica appeared in “Suck,” a vampire horror-comedy, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. For her role in this film, she received a nomination at the 2010 Canadian Comedy Awards. In 2010, she also appeared in the film “Hot Tub Time Machine” as well as in the comedy “Peepers.” These roles added to her versatility and contributed to her recognition as a comedic actress. She was voted one of the 25 Most Beautiful People of 2012 by “People” magazine, and she remains one of only a few Canadian citizens to have been granted this designation.

Personal Life Details

In 2007, Jessica Paré married writer and producer Joseph M. Smith. They later divorced in 2010. Subsequently, in 2013, she began a relationship with musician John Kastner. Together, they had a son in March 2015, whom they named Blues Anthony Paré Kastner. The couple later separated, and in 2019, Jessica began dating Jacob Housten, a relationship that lasted until 2021. Paré identifies as a member of the Catholic faith and also considers herself to be a feminist.

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