Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mike Judge’s Net Worth?
Mike Judge, a multifaceted American entertainer celebrated for his work as an actor, animator, screenwriter, film director, comedian, cartoonist, and musician, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $80 million. This financial standing reflects his diverse career and the success of his various creative endeavors.
Career Highlights and Financial Successes
Judge’s career took off with the creation of the animated television series “Beavis and Butt-Head” in the early 1990s. The show, known for its crude humor and controversial content, aired on MTV and quickly gained a cult following. The original run of “Beavis and Butt-Head” spanned from 1993 to 1997, with subsequent seasons airing in 2011 and 2021. The show’s success not only solidified Judge’s reputation as a comedic genius but also contributed significantly to his overall earnings through royalties, syndication deals, and merchandise sales.
Building on the success of “Beavis and Butt-Head,” Judge co-created “King of the Hill” with former “Simpsons” writer Greg Daniels. “King of the Hill,” which debuted on Fox in 1997, offered a more grounded and relatable comedic perspective, focusing on the lives of a middle-class family in a fictional Texas town. Judge not only conceived the idea for the show but also voiced the main character, Hank Hill, and neighbor Jeff Boomhauer. “King of the Hill” was a critical and commercial success, running for 13 seasons and becoming one of the longest-running American animated series in television history. Its enduring popularity has continued to generate revenue for Judge through syndication and streaming deals.
In addition to “Beavis and Butt-Head” and “King of the Hill,” Judge has co-created other television series, including “The Goode Family” and “Silicon Valley.” While “The Goode Family” was short-lived, “Silicon Valley,” co-created with John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, proved to be another major success. The HBO comedy, which premiered in 2014, satirized the tech industry and the challenges faced by startup companies in Northern California. “Silicon Valley” ran for six seasons and earned five consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, further bolstering Judge’s reputation and financial standing.
Judge has also ventured into film directing, with credits including “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America,” “Office Space,” “Idiocracy,” and “Extract.” “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America,” released in 1996, was a box office success, grossing around $63 million on a $12 million budget. “Office Space,” released in 1999, did not fare as well at the box office initially but has since become a cult classic, generating revenue through VHS, DVD, and streaming sales. “Idiocracy,” released in 2006, also gained a cult following, while “Extract,” released in 2009, received generally positive reviews and performed modestly at the box office. These films have contributed to Judge’s overall net worth through box office earnings, home video sales, and streaming deals.
In 2017, Judge created the animated documentary series “Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus” with Richard Mullins and Dub Cornett. It was the only animated series ever to air on Cinemax.
Real Estate Holdings
Judge’s real estate portfolio reflects his financial success. In 2011, he purchased a $4.5 million, 3,700-square-foot villa in Santa Monica, California. The villa features a master suite with his-and-hers bathrooms, walk-in closets, and a balcony overlooking a pool and hot tub. Outside, a small guest house boasts a fully-equipped gym. Judge also owned a 3,696-square-foot ranch in Malibu featuring six bedrooms, a large pool, and a guest house. Additionally, he owns a 7,300-square-foot mansion in Austin, Texas.
Early Life and Education
Michael Craig Judge was born on October 17, 1962, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is the middle of three siblings. His mother, Margaret, was a librarian, while his father, William, was an archaeologist who was also working for a nonprofit in Ecuador. When Judge was seven, he and his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he attended St. Pius X High School. Later, Mike attended the University of California, San Diego, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physics in 1985.
After college, Judge had a number of brief jobs in physics and mechanical engineering but soon grew bored with science. He moved to Silicon Valley in 1987 to join the startup video card company Parallax Graphics but quit after less than three months to become a bass player for Anson Funderburgh’s blues band. In 1989, Mike purchased a 16mm film camera and began creating his first animated short films at his new home in Richardson, Texas.
“Beavis and Butt-Head” Creation
In 1992, Judge created “Frog Baseball,” a short film featuring the characters of Beavis and Butt-Head, a pair of socially inept, puerile, uneducated, and heavy metal-obsessed adolescent delinquents from Texas. The short eventually led to the creation of MTV’s “Beavis and Butt-Head,” a crude, frequently controversial animated show that had its original run from 1993 to 1997. The series aired a new season in 2011 and then another one in 2021.
“King of the Hill” Development
One of Judge’s greatest creative successes came in 1995 when he and former “Simpsons” writer Greg Daniels created the animated series “King of the Hill.” Debuting on Fox in 1997, the show focused on a middle-class Methodist family living in a small fictional Texas town. In addition to conceiving the idea, writing the pilot script, and drawing the main characters, Mike voiced the main character of Hank Hill as well as neighbor Jeff Boomhauer. The show was a huge hit with both audiences and critics, running for 13 seasons and becoming one of the longest-running American animated series in television history.
Other Television Shows and Guest Appearances
After making guest appearances on shows including “The Simpsons,” “Frasier,” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” Judge co-created his third television series, “The Goode Family,” on which he also voiced numerous characters. The show debuted on ABC in 2009 but was canceled after a single season. More successful was Mike’s fourth show, “Silicon Valley,” which he created with John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky. Premiering in 2014, the HBO comedy focused on the struggles of a programmer, played by Thomas Middleditch, who founded a startup company in the eponymous area of Northern California. The show ran for six seasons and 53 episodes and earned five consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Film Career Details
Judge made his feature film directorial debut in 1996 with “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America,” a big-screen adaptation of his hit MTV series. The film was a significant box office hit, grossing around $63 million on a $12 million budget. Following this, Mike directed the dark satirical comedy “Office Space,” based on his old “Milton” cartoon series. His first foray into live-action filmmaking, the 1999 film starred Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, Gary Cole, Stephen Root, and Judge himself in a small part. Despite not faring that well at the box office, “Office Space” became a cult classic with viewers through VHS and DVD. After appearing in Robert Rodriguez’s family film franchise “Spy Kids,” Mike directed his third feature film, “Idiocracy,” released in 2006. Starring Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph, the dystopian comedy imagined a future society overrun by crass commercialism and completely devoid of intellect or social responsibility. Like Judge’s other works, it soon attained a cult following. Judge subsequently directed “Extract,” starring Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, and Kristen Wiig, among others in a large ensemble cast. Considered a companion piece to “Office Space,” it was mostly well received by critics, and did modest business at the box office. Subsequently, Mike made appearances in “Jackass 3D,” “Punching Henry,” “Sandy Wexler,” and “The Front Runner.”
Personal Life and “The Animation Show”
In 1989, Mike married Francesca Morocco. They had two daughters and a son before divorcing in 2009. Since 2003, Judge and fellow animator Don Hertzfeldt have run the touring animation festival “The Animation Show.” During its first season, the tour visited more than 200 theaters across North America, showcasing everything from old classics to new computer animation.
Mike Judge’s Net Worth: A Summary
In summary, Mike Judge’s net worth of $80 million is a testament to his diverse talents and creative vision. His success in television animation, film directing, and voice acting has solidified his place as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. From the crude humor of “Beavis and Butt-Head” to the relatable satire of “King of the Hill” and “Silicon Valley,” Judge’s work has resonated with audiences and critics alike, contributing to his financial prosperity and enduring legacy. His real estate holdings further reflect his financial success and provide a glimpse into his personal life.
