Overview

Karen Kilgariff is an accomplished American writer, comedian, singer, author, actress, television producer, and podcast host. She began her career in the early 1990s as a stand-up comedian. She gained recognition as a cast member on ‘Mr. Show’. Karen has written for numerous comedy television shows, including serving as head writer for ‘The Rosie Show’, ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, and ‘The Pete Holmes Show’. Since 2016, she co-hosts the true-crime comedy podcast ‘My Favorite Murder’ with Georgia Hardstark, which has garnered global popularity and a dedicated fan base known as ‘Murderinos.’ Together, Karen and Georgia co-founded the podcast network Exactly Right Media in 2018. In 2019, they secured a two-year $10 million deal with Stitcher. Also in 2019, they released a dual-memoir, ‘Stay Sexy Don’t Get Murdered: The Definitive How-to Guide,’ which became a #1 New York Times bestseller. Kilgariff’s diverse career showcases her talents and contributions to comedy and entertainment.

Exactly Right Media

Co-founder and CEO

What Is Karen Kilgariff’s Net Worth?

Karen Kilgariff, an American actress, writer, and podcast host, has accumulated a net worth of $20 million. This substantial financial standing is primarily attributed to her diverse career spanning television, writing, and podcasting, with a significant contribution from her role as the co-host and co-founder of the true crime comedy podcast “My Favorite Murder” and the Exactly Right podcast network.

Sources of Karen Kilgariff’s Net Worth

Kilgariff’s $20 million net worth is derived from multiple avenues, most notably her podcasting ventures. “My Favorite Murder,” co-hosted with Georgia Hardstark, has become a major revenue generator. It’s been reported as one of the highest-earning podcasts globally, reaching revenues exceeding $15 million annually. In 2020, this placed it as the second highest-earning podcast, only surpassed by “The Joe Rogan Experience.” In 2019, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark inked a two-year deal worth $10 million, making “My Favorite Murder” exclusive to Stitcher, solidifying her financial gains from podcasting.

Prior to her success in podcasting, Kilgariff established herself in the entertainment industry through various roles. Her early television appearances include “The Drew Carey Show” in 1995. Her role in “Mr. Show with Bob and David” from 1997 to 1998, where she played various characters, and her role as Jean Pettengill in the television series “The Book Group” in 2003. These acting roles, however, were not the primary driver of her net worth. Kilgariff’s career also includes writing for television. She contributed to the TV series “Hype” in 2001 and served as the head writer for “Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show” from 2006 to 2007, winning six Daytime Emmy Awards for her work on the show. She also wrote for “Love You, Mean It with Whitney Cummings” in 2012 and was the head writer for “The Pete Holmes Show” in 2014. While these writing roles added to her income, they do not represent the main source of her $20 million net worth.

Karen Kilgariff’s Career Milestones

Karen Kilgariff was born in Petaluma, California, in May 1970, and her career milestones are important markers in her net worth evolution. Some of the milestones are as follows:

  • Early Television Appearances (1990s): Karen Kilgariff had early appearances on television programs, including “The Drew Carey Show” in 1995 and “Mr. Show with Bob and David” from 1997 to 1998. These roles marked the start of her acting career.
  • Television Writing Career (2000s): Karen Kilgariff began her television writing career in 2001 for the TV series “Hype.” This represented her transition into the role of a writer, which eventually led to more significant opportunities.
  • Head Writer for “Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (2006-2007): Karen Kilgariff served as the head writer for “Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” She won six Daytime Emmy Awards for her work, solidifying her reputation as a talented writer in the entertainment industry.
  • “My Favorite Murder” Podcast Launch (2016): Karen Kilgariff co-launched “My Favorite Murder” with Georgia Hardstark. The podcast rapidly gained popularity, becoming a cornerstone in the true crime comedy genre.
  • Podcast Revenue and Growth (2016-Present): “My Favorite Murder” generated significant revenue, with annual earnings exceeding $15 million. This made it the second highest-earning podcast globally in 2020, showcasing the financial success of the venture.
  • Stitcher Exclusive Deal (2019): Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark signed a two-year deal with Stitcher worth $10 million. This agreement marked a major milestone in their podcasting career, providing them with financial security and further enhancing their brand.

Details regarding specific real estate holdings, investment portfolios, or personal property such as cars or aircraft are not publicly available. Her financial success, however, is evident through the success of “My Favorite Murder” and the Exactly Right podcast network, which she co-founded with Georgia Hardstark. The network hosts a variety of podcasts spanning different genres and has contributed significantly to Kilgariff’s overall net worth.

Additional Ventures and Income Streams

Beyond podcasting and television writing, Karen Kilgariff’s other ventures and income streams contribute to her $20 million net worth. Specific details about individual investment values, real estate holdings, or personal property items like vehicles or aircraft are not publicly available. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark co-founded the Exactly Right podcast network, which hosts various podcasts across different genres and has contributed to her overall net worth. She has also made appearances on other podcasts and television shows. She has a dedicated fanbase and engaged community, which has led to opportunities for merchandise sales, live events, and other fan-related revenue streams.

It’s important to note that net worth figures are estimates based on publicly available information and industry knowledge. As a result, the precise breakdown of Karen Kilgariff’s assets, investments, and income streams is not fully transparent. Her success in podcasting and her previous work in television have allowed her to amass a substantial fortune. Her financial standing reflects her accomplishments in the entertainment and podcasting industries.

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