Net Worth Ranker
What Is Julie Kavner’s Net Worth?
Julie Kavner, the American actress renowned for her voice work, particularly as Marge Simpson on “The Simpsons,” has accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at $90 million. This wealth is primarily derived from her extensive career in television and film, with a significant portion stemming from her long-standing role on “The Simpsons.” Her ability to voice not only Marge but also Marge’s mother and sisters, Patty and Selma, has solidified her position in the entertainment industry.
Julie Kavner’s Simpsons Salary and Earnings
Kavner’s financial success is significantly tied to her role on “The Simpsons.” According to her most recent contract, she earns $400,000 per episode. With approximately 22 episodes per season, this translates to about $9 million annually. Over the decades, her salary has seen considerable increases. Initially, Kavner was paid $30,000 per episode until 1998. Following a contract dispute, her salary rose to $125,000 per episode. By 2004, she was earning $250,000 per episode. Her salary was then renegotiated in 2008, resulting in the current rate of $400,000 per episode. This trajectory demonstrates the significant increase in her value to the show over time.
The financial details of her “Simpsons” contract are particularly noteworthy. The current $400,000 per episode rate reflects not only her importance to the show but also her negotiating power. It places her among the highest-paid voice actors in television. When considering the show’s longevity—spanning over 36 seasons as of 2025—her cumulative earnings from “The Simpsons” are substantial, making up a significant portion of her $90 million net worth.
Early Career and Breakthrough Role on “Rhoda”
Born on September 7, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, Julie Kavner’s early life provided a foundation for her future acting career. She attended Beverly Hills High School, where she described herself as a loner. Kavner then pursued a drama major at San Diego State University, participating in various school productions. After graduation, she worked as a typist at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, which provided a stable income while she pursued acting opportunities. Kavner’s career breakthrough came in 1974 with her role as Brenda Morgenstern on the television sitcom “Rhoda.”
In “Rhoda,” Kavner played the younger sister of Valerie Harper’s titular character. This role was a major turning point in her career, providing her with significant exposure and critical acclaim. The show aired for five seasons, from 1974 to 1978, and Kavner received four Emmy Award nominations for her performance. In 1978, she won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. This award not only recognized her talent but also significantly boosted her profile in the entertainment industry. While specific salary figures for her role on “Rhoda” are not publicly available, the success of the show undoubtedly contributed to her early financial stability and opened doors for future opportunities.
Further Television Career in the 70s and 80s
Following her success on “Rhoda,” Julie Kavner continued to build her television career throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. She appeared in episodes of “The ABC Afternoon Playbreak,” “Petrocelli,” and “Lou Grant,” showcasing her versatility as an actress. Kavner also took on roles in television films such as “Katherine” (1975), starring Sissy Spacek, Henry Winkler, and Art Carney, which provided her with additional exposure and experience in different formats. Specific earnings from these roles are not publicly documented, but they contributed to her growing income and reputation in the industry.
In the early 1980s, Kavner appeared in an episode of “Taxi” and television films like “Revenge of the Stepford Wives” and “A Fine Romance.” Her next significant role came in 1987 when she was cast as Tracey Ullman’s sidekick on “The Tracey Ullman Show.” This variety program was instrumental in launching “The Simpsons,” as it featured the first animated shorts of the Simpson family. For her work on “The Tracey Ullman Show” from 1987 to 1990, Kavner received four Emmy nominations. Again, while specific salary details from “The Tracey Ullman Show” are not publicly known, this role was a crucial stepping stone to her career-defining role on “The Simpsons.”
The Simpsons: A Career-Defining Role
In 1989, Julie Kavner began voicing Marge Simpson on “The Simpsons,” a role that would define her career. She had previously debuted the character in animated shorts on “The Tracey Ullman Show.” As Marge, Kavner is internationally recognized for her distinctive, gravely vocal performance. She also voices Marge’s chain-smoking identical twin sisters, Patty and Selma, who have similarly raspy but lower-register voices. “The Simpsons” is one of the longest-running television series in history, spanning hundreds of episodes over multiple decades and continuing to air as of 2025. For her work on the show, Kavner won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992. Importantly, her contract includes a clause that allows her to avoid promoting “The Simpsons” on video.
Kavner’s role as Marge Simpson has not only brought her critical acclaim but also substantial financial rewards. As previously mentioned, her current salary is $400,000 per episode, amounting to approximately $9 million per season. Over the 36 seasons of “The Simpsons,” her cumulative earnings from the show are estimated to be well over $100 million, making it the primary driver of her $90 million net worth. This figure does not include potential royalties or residuals from syndication and merchandise, which could further increase her total earnings. The consistent and high compensation from “The Simpsons” has provided Kavner with financial security and the freedom to pursue other projects without financial pressure.
Continued Television Career Beyond “The Simpsons”
In addition to her work on “The Simpsons,” Julie Kavner has continued to pursue other television roles. In 1996, she appeared in the television film “Jake’s Women,” based on the play by Neil Simon. She also had roles in episodes of the sitcom “Sibs” and the medical drama “Birdland.” From 1996 to 1999, Kavner reunited with Tracey Ullman to appear on the HBO sketch comedy series “Tracey Takes On…”. Specific salary details for these roles are not publicly available, but they contributed to her overall income and professional experience.
Kavner’s appearances on “Tracey Takes On…” allowed her to showcase her comedic talents in a different format, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile actress. The show, which aired for four seasons, was critically acclaimed and provided Kavner with additional opportunities to work with Tracey Ullman. While her earnings from these projects may not be as substantial as her “Simpsons” salary, they demonstrate her continued commitment to her craft and her ability to diversify her roles within the television industry.
Film Career: Collaborations with Woody Allen and Other Roles
Julie Kavner has also had a notable career in film, beginning with her debut in “National Lampoon’s Movie Madness” in 1982. Three years later, she appeared in “Bad Medicine.” Kavner then began a series of collaborations with writer-director Woody Allen, starting with “Hannah and Her Sisters” in 1986. She went on to appear in Allen’s films “Radio Days,” “Alice,” “Shadows and Fog,” and “Deconstructing Harry,” as well as in his segment of the anthology film “New York Stories,” entitled “Oedipus Wrecks.” Kavner also starred in Allen’s 1994 television film “Don’t Drink the Water,” alongside Michael J. Fox, Mayim Bialik, Dom DeLuise, and Allen himself. Specific financial details regarding her compensation for these films are not publicly available, but her involvement in these high-profile projects undoubtedly contributed to her net worth and reputation.
In addition to her work with Woody Allen, Kavner played a nurse in the 1990 drama “Awakenings,” befriending Robin Williams’ character. She had her first leading role in 1992, starring as aspiring stand-up comic Dottie Ingels in Nora Ephron’s directorial debut “This is My Life.” Kavner followed this with roles in James L. Brooks’ “I’ll Do Anything” and Billy Crystal’s “Forget Paris.” She also voiced a pigeon in the 1998 remake of “Dr. Dolittle” and appeared in the 1999 independent film “Judy Berlin.” Her next significant live-action role was in the 2006 comedy “Click,” where she played the mother of Adam Sandler’s character. In 2007, she reprised her voice role as Marge Simpson in “The Simpsons Movie.”
While specific salary figures for these film roles are not publicly disclosed, her appearances in both leading and supporting roles in a variety of genres demonstrate her versatility and contribute to her overall earnings. Her role in “The Simpsons Movie,” in particular, likely provided a significant boost to her income, given the film’s box office success. The combination of her television and film work has allowed her to build a diversified and substantial career, contributing significantly to her $90 million net worth.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Since 1976, Julie Kavner has been in a relationship with retired television producer and writer David Davis, and they reside together in Manhattan. Kavner leads a private and nearly reclusive life, rarely making public appearances. Specific details about her real estate holdings are not publicly available, but owning property in Manhattan typically represents a significant asset. Given her substantial net worth, it is reasonable to assume that her real estate investments contribute to her overall financial portfolio. The value of properties in Manhattan can vary greatly depending on location, size, and amenities, but it is likely that Kavner’s residence is a significant component of her assets. However, without specific information, it is challenging to provide a precise valuation of her real estate holdings.
While concrete details regarding Kavner’s real estate and investment portfolios remain private, it’s clear that her disciplined financial management and strategic career choices have enabled her to accumulate significant wealth. Further details are currently unavailable regarding possible business investments, stocks, bonds and other holdings.
