What Is Lori Petty’s Net Worth?
Lori Petty, an accomplished American actress, writer, director, and producer, has accumulated a net worth of $3 million. This financial standing reflects her diverse and extensive career in the entertainment industry, spanning various roles and projects.
Career Highlights and Earnings
Petty’s acting career encompasses over 70 credits, showcasing her versatility and dedication. Her notable roles include Tyler Ann Endicott in the action-packed film “Point Break” (1991), which grossed over $83.9 million worldwide. She also portrayed Kit Keller in “A League of Their Own” (1992), a film that resonated with audiences and earned over $132.4 million at the box office. Further solidifying her presence in the industry, she played Rebecca Buck in “Tank Girl” (1995). From 2014 to 2019, Petty brought the character of Lolly Whitehill to life on the acclaimed Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black.” During her time on the show, she won Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with her “Orange Is the New Black” co-stars in 2016 and 2017.
Her work extends beyond these roles, including appearances in films such as “Free Willy” (1993), which generated over $153.7 million in revenue, and “Poetic Justice” (1993), where she starred alongside Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Petty also took on roles in “In the Army Now” (1994), “Prey for Rock & Roll” (2003), “The Poker House” (2008), “Dead Awake” (2016), and “Fear, Love, and Agoraphobia” (2018). Her television credits include “The Thorns” (1988), “Booker” (1989–1990), “Lush Life” (1996), “Brimstone” (1998–1999), and “House” (2008–2009), further contributing to her income and recognition in the industry.
Petty’s involvement in “Lush Life” as a co-producer and writer of two episodes indicates additional sources of income beyond her acting roles. Writing and directing “The Poker House” (2008) and “Horrible Accident” (2001) represent her endeavors in filmmaking, adding to her earnings and establishing her as a multi-faceted creative force.
Her voice acting work in the video game “Superman: Shadow of Apokolips” (2002) and TV shows such as “Superman: The Animated Series” (1997), “The New Batman Adventures” (1998), “Transformers: Robots in Disguise” (2017), “Danger & Eggs” (2017), “Robot Chicken” (2018), and “Summer Camp Island” (2019) showcases her ability to diversify her talents and tap into various revenue streams within the entertainment sector. Her role as Sarah, The Conductor in “Station Eleven” (2021), earned critical acclaim, further enhancing her reputation.
Early Career and Initial Projects
Lori Petty’s journey into the entertainment industry began with smaller roles that gradually paved the way for more significant opportunities. Her appearance in the “Kenny Loggins: Footloose (Version 2)” music video in 1984 marked an early step in her career. She further gained experience through guest appearances on television series such as “All My Children” (1985), “The Equalizer” (1985), “The Twilight Zone” (1986), “Stingray” (1987), “Head of the Class” (1987), “Miami Vice” (1998), “Freddy’s Nightmares” (1988), and “Alien Nation” (1989). These early roles, though perhaps not highly lucrative individually, collectively contributed to building her resume and establishing her presence in the industry.
Her roles in TV movies such as “Bates Motel” (1987), “Police Story: Monster Manor” (1988), and “Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder” (1989) provided additional exposure and experience. Playing ‘Cricket’ Henshaw on the sitcom “The Thorns” (1988) and Suzanne Dunne on the crime drama “Booker” (1989–1990) represented more substantial roles that likely came with increased compensation. Her first feature film, “Cadillac Man” (1990), marked a significant step forward in her career, leading to subsequent roles in high-profile films like “Point Break” and “A League of Their Own.”
Filmography Highlights and Box Office Success
Lori Petty’s filmography is marked by several commercially successful and critically acclaimed projects. “Point Break” (1991), in which she co-starred with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves, grossed over $83.9 million worldwide, establishing her as a prominent figure in action films. The success of “A League of Their Own” (1992), which earned over $132.4 million at the box office, further solidified her reputation as a versatile actress capable of handling diverse roles. Her role in “Free Willy” (1993), which grossed over $153.7 million, showcased her ability to connect with audiences in family-oriented films. She also played Tank Girl in Tank Girl, which grossed $6 million.
Her other film appearances in the 1990s, including “The Glass Shield” (1994), “In the Army Now” (1994), “Countdown” (1996), “Relax…It’s Just Sex” (1998), “The Arrangement” (1999), and “Clubland” (1999), contributed to her steady income stream and maintained her visibility in the industry. Although the exact salary figures for these roles are not publicly available, it can be inferred that her earnings increased as she gained more experience and recognition.
In the 2000s, Petty continued to work steadily in films such as “MacArthur Park” (2001), “Firetrap” (2001), “Route 666” (2001), “Horrible Accident” (2001), “Prey for Rock & Roll” (2003), “Cryptid” (2006), “Broken Arrows” (2007), and “Prison Break: The Final Break” (2009). Her role in “The Poker House” (2008), which she also wrote and directed, demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit and likely provided her with additional income through royalties and directorial fees.
Television Roles and Recurring Appearances
Lori Petty’s television career has been marked by guest appearances and recurring roles on various popular series. Her guest appearances on shows such as “Grand” (1990), “Profiler” (1997), and “Star Trek: Voyager” (1999) helped her maintain a consistent presence on television. She also played Georgette ‘George’ Sanders on “Lush Life” (1996) and Maxine on “Brimstone” (1998–1999), which provided her with more significant roles and potentially higher earnings.
Her guest appearances on shows such as “The Hunger” (2000), “The Beast” (2001), “The Parkers” (2001), “ER” (2002), “NYPD Blue” (2003), “Line of Fire” (2004), “CSI: NY” (2005), “Masters of Horror” (2006), “Prison Break” (2009), and “The Cleaner” (2009) added to her income and expanded her network within the industry. Her recurring role as Janice Burke on “House” from 2008 to 2009 represented a more stable source of income and recognition, as recurring roles often come with multi-episode contracts and increased visibility.
From 2014 to 2019, Petty played Lolly Whitehill on the critically-acclaimed Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black.” This role significantly boosted her profile and likely increased her earnings substantially. The show’s popularity and her prominent role within the ensemble cast would have translated to higher salary negotiations and potential opportunities for endorsements or other related ventures.
Recent Projects and Future Prospects
In recent years, Lori Petty has continued to work on diverse projects that contribute to her net worth and career longevity. Her co-starring role in the horror film “A Deadly Legend” (2020), alongside Corbin Bernsen and Judd Hirsch, showcases her willingness to explore different genres. Her starring role as Sarah, The Conductor on the HBO Max miniseries “Station Eleven” (2021), further solidified her status as a versatile and sought-after actress. It was also reported that she had to take piano lessons on zoom for the role and had to play the piano outdoors at night.
Awards, Recognition, and Net Worth Growth
Lori Petty’s awards and nominations reflect her talent and dedication to her craft, indirectly contributing to her net worth by enhancing her reputation and marketability. She shared Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with her “Orange Is the New Black” co-stars in 2016 and 2017. She was named Best Supporting Actress for “Fear, Love, and Agoraphobia” at the 2017 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival, and in 2022, the “Station Eleven” cast won a Pena de Prata for Best Ensemble in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or TV Special. While these awards do not directly translate to immediate financial gains, they enhance her industry standing and can lead to increased opportunities and higher salaries in future projects.