Overview

Mary Stuart Masterson, born on June 28, 1966, is an accomplished American actress, director, and producer with a career spanning several decades. She began acting at a young age, with an early role in “The Stepford Wives” (1975). She took some time to focus on her education, later returning to acting in the mid-1980s. She is known for her roles in films like “Some Kind of Wonderful” (1987), “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991), and “Benny & Joon” (1993). Masterson has also worked in television, appearing in shows like “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Blindspot.” In addition to acting, she has directed films, including “The Cake Eaters” (2007), and has produced several projects. Beyond her work in entertainment, Masterson is an entrepreneur and founded Stockade Works, a production studio and training facility in Kingston, New York, aimed at boosting the film industry in the Hudson Valley. She also co-founded Storyhorse Documentary Theater. She is married to Jeremy Davidson and has four children.

What Is Mary Stuart Masterson’s Net Worth?

Mary Stuart Masterson, a multifaceted American talent as an actress, producer, and director, has cultivated a distinguished career in the entertainment industry. As of 2024, Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million. This valuation reflects her extensive work in film, television, and theatre, highlighting her diverse contributions and sustained presence in the industry for several decades. While specific details regarding the composition of Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth, such as income from specific films, royalties, or endorsements, are not publicly detailed, her body of work provides a clear indication of the sources contributing to this figure.

Early Career and Notable Roles

Mary Stuart Masterson launched her acting journey at an early age, securing her first film role in 1975’s “The Stepford Wives,” where she shared the screen with her father. This early exposure set the stage for a prolific career. In 1987, she starred in “Some Kind of Wonderful,” a film that helped solidify her standing in the industry. The 1990s brought further recognition with roles in critically acclaimed films such as “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991) and “Benny & Joon” (1993), further enhancing her reputation and value within the industry. These early roles provided a foundation for continued success and increased earning potential in subsequent years.

Film and Television Contributions

Throughout her career, Mary Stuart Masterson has accumulated more than 60 acting credits. Her filmography includes a wide range of roles, from comedies to dramas. Key performances include “The Stepford Wives” (1975), “Some Kind of Wonderful” (1987), “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991), “Benny & Joon” (1993), “Digging to China” (1997), and more recently, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” (2023). In addition to film, Mary Stuart Masterson has made significant contributions to television. She has appeared in TV movies such as “Love Lives On” (1985), “Lily Dale” (1996), and “Something the Lord Made” (2004). Her television series credits include “Kate Brasher” (2001), where she also served as a producer, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2004–2007), “Waterfront” (2006), “Mercy” (2010), “NCIS” (2017), “Blindspot” (2017–2019), and “For Life” (2020). These roles collectively contribute to her income stream, bolstering Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth.

Producing and Directing Ventures

Beyond acting, Mary Stuart Masterson has expanded her role in the entertainment industry by taking on producing and directing projects. She produced “Kate Brasher,” “Last Man Running” (2003), “Tickling Leo” (2009), “The Rest of Us” (2019), and “Adopting Audrey” (2021). Directing credits include the 2007 film “The Cake Eaters,” which garnered her several awards. While specific financial figures from these projects are not available, these roles would add to Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth through production fees and potential profits. The move into producing and directing demonstrates a strategic diversification of her career, ensuring sustained income streams and creative control.

Broadway and Theatrical Achievements

Mary Stuart Masterson has showcased her talents on Broadway, with performances in “Alice in Wonderland” (1982) and “Nine” (2003). Her role in “Nine” was particularly notable, earning her a Theatre World Award and nominations from the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Outer Critics Circle awards. While Broadway salaries can vary significantly based on the role and the success of the production, these performances likely added to her income during those periods. The recognition from these performances also enhances her reputation and potentially leads to higher compensation in other roles.

Early Life and Education

Born on June 28, 1966, in Los Angeles, California, Mary Stuart Masterson is the daughter of singer/actress Carlin Glynn and actor/filmmaker Peter Masterson. Her upbringing in a family deeply involved in the arts provided a supportive environment for her early pursuit of acting. During her teenage years, she attended Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in upstate New York. At Stagedoor Manor, she shared time with future notable actors such as Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Cryer. Following her time at Stagedoor, Masterson studied anthropology at New York University for eight months. Though her academic pursuits were not directly tied to her acting career, this diverse background may have enriched her understanding of human behavior, contributing to her acting depth. While the exact costs of her education and training are not publicly detailed, these investments in her development laid a crucial foundation for her career trajectory.

Key Film Roles in the 1980s

In the 1980s, Mary Stuart Masterson continued to build her resume with notable film roles. Following her debut in “The Stepford Wives” in 1975, she appeared in TV movies like “City in Fear” (1980) and “Love Lives On” (1985). Her presence in films such as “Heaven Help Us” (1985), “At Close Range” (1986), and “Some Kind of Wonderful” (1987) further established her as a rising star. She also appeared in “My Little Girl” (1987), “Mr. North” (1988), “Chances Are” (1989), and “Immediate Family” (1989). Notably, she co-starred with her parents in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Gardens of Stone” (1987). While specific salary details for these films are not publicly available, these roles contributed to her growing income and enhanced her industry reputation, which subsequently increased her future earning potential.

Roles and Appearances in the 1990s

The 1990s marked a period of significant roles for Mary Stuart Masterson. She co-starred with Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary-Louise Parker, and Cicely Tyson in the acclaimed “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991). This film was a critical and commercial success, elevating her profile. In 1992, she hosted “Saturday Night Live,” a testament to her growing popularity and recognition. Further film roles included “Mad at the Moon” (1992), “Married to It” (1993), “Bad Girls” (1994), “Radioland Murders” (1994), “Bed of Roses” (1996), “Heaven’s Prisoners” (1996), “Dogtown” (1997), “Digging to China” (1997), and “The Book of Stars” (1999). She also appeared in TV movies like “Lily Dale” (1996), “On the 2nd Day of Christmas” (1997), and “Black and Blue” (1999). A notable role was in “Benny & Joon” (1993), where she co-starred with Johnny Depp, Aidan Quinn, Julianne Moore, and Oliver Platt. Though specific financial details for each of these roles are not available, these diverse and high-profile appearances significantly contributed to her earnings during the decade, bolstering Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth.

Transition to Television in the 2000s

In the 2000s, Mary Stuart Masterson shifted her focus towards television roles, further diversifying her career. In 2001, she starred in and produced the CBS series “Kate Brasher.” That same year, she directed “The Other Side” segment in the TV movie “On the Edge” and starred in the CBS movie “Three Blind Mice.” In 2002, she appeared in the films “West of Here” and “Leo.” In 2004, she guest-starred as Cinderella in an episode of “Blue’s Clues” and played Dr. Helen Taussig in the Emmy-winning HBO movie “Something the Lord Made.” She had recurring roles as Dr. Rebecca Hendrix on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2004–2007) and Heather Centrella on “Waterfront” (2006). During this time, she also appeared in films like “The Sisters” (2005), “Whiskey School” (2005), and “The Insurgents” (2006), and directed “The Cake Eaters” (2007). These ventures into television and directing added new dimensions to her income streams, increasing her financial stability. While the precise compensation for these roles and projects is not publicly disclosed, their collective impact is significant in understanding Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth.

Continued Television Work and Guest Appearances

Throughout the 2010s and into the 2020s, Mary Stuart Masterson sustained a steady presence in television with numerous guest appearances and recurring roles. She guest-starred on “Cupid” (2009), “Touch” (2012), “The Good Wife” (2013), and “Blue Bloods” (2015). She also had recurring roles as Dr. Denise Cabe on “Mercy” (2010), Congresswoman Jenna Flemming on “NCIS” (2017), and FBI Director Eleanor Hirst on “Blindspot” (2017–2019). In film, she appeared in “As You Are” (2017), “Skin” (2018), “Daniel Isn’t Real” (2019), “Isle of Hope” (2022), “Sid Is Dead” (2023), and “Five Nights at Freddy’s” (2023). In 2020, she starred as Anya Harrison on the ABC legal drama “For Life.” The consistency of her television work, combined with occasional film roles, allowed her to maintain a stable income. While the specific episode fees for guest appearances and recurring roles vary, these contributions are important elements of her overall financial picture. Additionally, her recent film roles in the 2020s have continued to add to her earning potential, impacting Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth.

Audiobook Narration

In addition to her on-screen work, Mary Stuart Masterson has also lent her voice to audiobook narration. She has narrated audiobooks such as Lisa Scottoline’s “Look Again,” James Patterson’s “The Quickie,” and Julia Glass’ “I See You Everywhere.” Audiobook narration offers another avenue for income, utilizing her acting skills in a different format. While the earnings from audiobook narration may vary depending on the author and the publisher, this work diversifies her income streams and adds to Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth. Exact figures from her audiobook work are not publicly available, but it represents a supplementary source of income.

Personal Life and Relationships

Mary Stuart Masterson’s personal life has seen several significant milestones. She married George Carl Francisco IV on May 25, 1990, and they divorced in 1992. Subsequently, she married filmmaker Damon Santostefano on May 20, 2000, and they divorced in 2004. She then married actor Jeremy Davidson, with whom she co-starred in a 2004 production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Together, they have four children. While personal details such as these do not directly impact Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth, they provide context to her life outside her professional endeavors.

Awards and Nominations

Mary Stuart Masterson has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career, recognizing her contributions to film, television, and theatre. For “The Cake Eaters,” she won a People’s Choice Award for Best American Indie at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival, a Discovery Award at the Sedona International Film Festival, a Best Feature award at the Stony Brook Film Festival, and an Audience Award for Dramatic Feature at the Ashland Independent Film Festival. In 1989, she won a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for “Immediate Family,” and in 1997, she earned a Lone Star Film & Television Award for Best TV Actress for “Lily Dale.” In 1994, she shared an MTV Movie Award nomination for Best On-Screen Duo with her “Benny & Joon” co-star Johnny Depp. In 2005, she received a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for “Something the Lord Made.” In 2001, she earned a Best Actress nomination for “The Book of Stars” at the DVD Exclusive Awards. These awards and nominations enhance her industry reputation, potentially leading to more prestigious and higher-paying roles, thus positively influencing Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth.

Real Estate Investments

Mary Stuart Masterson has engaged in real estate transactions, providing insights into her investment strategies. In June 2007, she purchased a townhome in Brooklyn for $1.275 million. She sold this property a year later for $1.305 million, resulting in a modest profit. In 2013, she sold a 5-acre farm property in Kinderhook, New York. While specific details about the purchase price and sale price of the Kinderhook property are not publicly available, these real estate transactions demonstrate her investment activities and provide additional context to Mary Stuart Masterson’s net worth. These investments indicate her approach to diversifying her assets and generating income outside of her acting career.

© 2025 Net Worth Ranker / All Rights Reserved