Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kate McKinnon’s Net Worth?
Kate McKinnon, an accomplished American actress and comedian, has amassed a net worth of $9 million. Her financial success is primarily attributed to her prominent role on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), alongside her ventures into film and voice acting. She has been able to build a strong financial foundation through her performances and creative endeavors.
Early Life and Education
Kathryn McKinnon Berthold was born on January 6, 1984, in Sea Cliff, New York. She grew up alongside her younger sister. Kate’s father passed away when she was 18. During her youth, she developed a passion for music and mastered several instruments, including the piano, cello, and guitar. Her early exposure to performing arts laid the groundwork for her future career in comedy and acting. After graduating from high school in 2002, Kate attended Columbia University, where she studied theatre. During her time there, she co-founded her own comedy group, Tea Party, and focused on musical improv comedy, participating in numerous university shows and joining a comedy group specializing in pranks. These experiences honed her comedic timing and performance skills.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Kate McKinnon’s career gained momentum when she joined the cast of “The Big Gay Sketch Show.” For three seasons, McKinnon was a regular cast member. During this time, she also performed live sketch shows in New York City and began her voice acting career. Some of her early voice acting gigs at this point included animated series such as “The Venture Bros.,” “Robotomy,” and “Ugly Americans.” By 2009, Kate was a widely recognized comedian, and she was awarded the NewNowNext Award for Best Rising Comic. Further award nominations followed before she pushed forward with her voice acting career. To date, Kate has voiced characters in shows like “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “Magic School Bus,” and “Nature Cat.” McKinnon joined “Saturday Night Live” in 2012 and quickly transitioned from a featured player to a central cast member by 2013. Her talent and versatility earned her an Emmy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy category in 2013. In 2016, she won an Emmy for her contributions to “SNL,” marking the first win for a cast member in 23 years since Dana Carvey. Her salary at SNL likely increased significantly over time, reaching the higher end of the pay scale for veteran cast members, which can be up to $25,000 per episode, totaling $525,000 annually for those who have been on the show for a long period.
“Saturday Night Live” Salary Details
During her time on “Saturday Night Live,” Kate McKinnon earned a substantial income, reflecting her increasing value to the show. First-year cast members on SNL make $3,000 per episode, amounting to $63,000 for a 21-episode season. Second-year cast members receive a $1,000 raise per episode, bringing their earnings to $4,000 per episode, or $84,000 per season. By the fourth season, cast members earn $7,000 per episode, totaling $147,000 for the season. If a cast member reaches their fifth season, they make $15,000 per episode, which amounts to $315,000 per season. The highest salary at SNL is reserved for the most seasoned or pivotal cast members, who can earn $25,000 per episode, or $525,000 annually. Given her prominence and longevity on the show, it’s plausible that Kate McKinnon’s salary reached the higher end of this range.
Notable Impressions and Characters
McKinnon became renowned for her celebrity impressions, most notably her portrayal of Hillary Clinton, which began in 2016. She also impersonated political figures such as Kellyanne Conway and Elizabeth Warren. Beyond politics, her impressions of Justin Bieber, Shakira, Bella Hadid, Ellen DeGeneres, and Iggy Azalea gained her widespread acclaim.
Film and Voice Acting Roles
Kate McKinnon’s net worth has also benefited from her film and voice acting roles. In 2016, she voiced a character in the animated film “Finding Dory” and starred in the “Ghostbusters” reboot. Prior to this, she appeared in films like “Balls Out,” “Ted 2,” and “The Angry Birds Movie.” McKinnon has also starred in movies like “The Spy Who Dumped Me” and “Yesterday.” These roles provided her with significant income and further boosted her net worth.
Behind-the-Camera Work and Creative Ventures
McKinnon has also worked behind the camera, creating the web series “Notary Publix” with her sister Emily Lynne. In 2019, they released the Audible audio series “Heads Will Roll,” adding to her creative and financial portfolio.
Endorsements and Commercial Appearances
Brand endorsements have supplemented Kate McKinnon’s income over the years. In 2015, she appeared in advertisements for the new Ford Focus. In February 2024, McKinnon and Pete Davidson teamed up for a Super Bowl ad for Hellmann’s mayonnaise. These endorsements have contributed to her overall net worth.
Relationships and Personal Life
Kate McKinnon has been openly gay for many years. In 2020, during the 77th Golden Globe Awards, Kate thanked Ellen DeGeneres for being supportive and making it “less scary” to accept her true self while watching the sitcom “Ellen.” During her college years, McKinnon dated Bari Weiss, a future journalist. She has also been in a relationship with photographer and actress Jackie Abbott.
