Net Worth Ranker
What Is Nancy Cartwright’s Net Worth?
Nancy Cartwright, a multifaceted American talent recognized as a film and television actress, comedian, and voice artist, boasts a net worth of $60 million. A significant portion of Nancy Cartwright’s financial success stems from her voice acting roles on the long-running animated series, “The Simpsons.” It’s noteworthy that Nancy Cartwright’s net worth is slightly influenced by her philanthropic contributions, as she has donated over $20 million to the Church of Scientology over the years.
Income and Career Highlights of Nancy Cartwright
On “The Simpsons,” Nancy Cartwright lends her voice to several iconic characters, including Bart Simpson, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, Nelson Muntz, and Maggie Simpson. According to her latest contract, each principal voice actor on “The Simpsons” earns $400,000 per episode. With approximately 22 episodes per season, this equates to around $9 million per season for Nancy. This substantial income reflects her integral role in the show’s enduring success.
Beyond “The Simpsons,” Nancy Cartwright has expanded her voice acting portfolio with numerous other animated projects. She has contributed her voice to “Goof Troop” (1992–1993), “Rugrats” (1992; 2002–2004), “The Critic” (1994–1995), “Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain” (1998–1999), and “Kim Possible” (2002–2007). Her extensive work in animation demonstrates her versatility and consistent demand in the industry.
In addition to her voice acting career, Nancy Cartwright has also appeared in live-action roles in film and television. She has appeared in “Twilight Zone: The Movie” (1983) and “Godzilla” (1998), as well as TV shows such as “Cheers” (1985), “Mr. Belvedere” (1987), “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1995), and “24” (2007). These roles, though less frequent than her voice work, contribute to her overall income stream.
Nancy Cartwright is also an author and producer. In 2000, she published her autobiography, “My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy,” which she later adapted into a one-woman play in 2004. Her ventures into producing include the 2017 film “In Search of Fellini,” based on a play she co-wrote, and TV movies such as “Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe in Santa” (2002) and “Holiday Joy” (2016). Her foray into writing and producing adds another dimension to her career and supplements her earnings.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on October 25, 1957, in Dayton, Ohio, Nancy Jean Cartwright’s early life laid the groundwork for her future success. Growing up in Kettering, Ohio, with her mother, Miriam, father, Frank, and five siblings, she developed a passion for performance from a young age. Miriam passed away in 1978. Nancy attended St. Charles Borromeo and Fairmont West High School, showcasing her talent in a fourth-grade speech competition where she performed Rudyard Kipling’s “How the Camel Got His Hump.”
At Fairmont High School, Nancy actively participated in school plays, the marching band, and the Forensic League, serving as its president. She excelled in public speaking competitions, winning first place in the National District Tournament’s “Humorous Interpretation” category for two consecutive years. These early achievements highlight her innate talent and dedication to honing her performance skills.
After graduating in 1976, Nancy Cartwright earned a scholarship to Ohio University, where she continued to compete in public speaking, placing fifth in the National Speech Tournament’s exposition category with a speech entitled “The Art of Animation.” This marked a pivotal moment in her career, as it aligned her passion for performance with the world of animation.
In 1976, Nancy Cartwright began her professional career by doing voice-overs for ads on the Dayton radio station WING. A visit from a Warner Bros. Records representative led to her receiving a list of animation industry contacts. This connection proved invaluable, leading her to Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, and Elroy Jetson, who became her mentor. Encouraged by Butler, Nancy left Ohio for Los Angeles, transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned her theater degree in 1981. Her early experiences and mentorship laid a strong foundation for her successful career in voice acting.
Career Breakthroughs and Iconic Roles
Daws Butler’s guidance opened doors for Nancy Cartwright, introducing her to numerous voice actors and directors at Hanna-Barbera. This led to an audition for the TV show “Richie Rich,” where she secured a recurring role as Gloria Glad from 1980 to 1984. This role marked a significant step in her career, providing her with valuable experience and exposure in the animation industry.
In 1982, Nancy Cartwright played the title role in the TV movie “Marian Rose White,” showcasing her acting abilities beyond voice work. The following year, she made her film debut in “Twilight Zone: The Movie,” further expanding her acting credentials. These early roles demonstrate her versatility and commitment to developing her skills as a performer.
Throughout the 1980s, Nancy Cartwright continued to build her resume with voice work in various animated projects, including “My Little Pony: The Movie” (1986), “Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw” (1988), “The Little Mermaid” (1989), “Shirt Tales” (1983–1985), “Snorks” (1984–1988), and “My Little Pony ‘n Friends” (1986–1987). She also appeared in the films “Flesh and Blood” (1985) and “Yellow Pages” (1988). These diverse roles demonstrate her growing presence in the entertainment industry and her ability to adapt to different characters and genres.
In 1987, Nancy Cartwright auditioned for a voice role in a series of animated shorts that would appear on “The Tracey Ullman Show.” Initially intending to audition for the role of Lisa Simpson, she found Bart’s character description more appealing and requested to try out for that part instead. Her audition impressed creator Matt Groening, who offered her the role on the spot. This decision proved to be a turning point in her career, as it led to her most iconic role as Bart Simpson.
The animated shorts evolved into the Fox TV series “The Simpsons” in 1989. As of today, “The Simpsons” has aired over 700 episodes across 32 seasons, making it the longest-running American sitcom, animated series, and scripted primetime series. Nancy Cartwright’s voice acting as Bart Simpson has been integral to the show’s success and longevity. She has also voiced Bart in “The Simpsons Movie” (2007) and numerous video games, including “The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants” (1991) and “The Simpsons: Tapped Out” (2012). The success of “The Simpsons” has significantly contributed to Nancy Cartwright’s net worth and established her as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Other Notable Voice Roles and Projects
Nancy Cartwright’s talent extends beyond “The Simpsons,” as she has voiced several other memorable characters in popular animated shows. She voiced Chuckie Finster on Nickelodeon’s “Rugrats,” reprising the role on “All Grown Up!” from 2003 to 2008, in the film “Rugrats Go Wild” in 2003, and in the Paramount+ revival/reboot “Rugrats” in 2021. Her portrayal of Chuckie Finster has earned her widespread recognition and solidified her reputation as a versatile voice actress.
Another notable role is that of Rufus the naked mole rat on the Disney Channel series “Kim Possible” from 2002 to 2007, as well as in the TV movies “Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time” (2003), “Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama” (2005), and “Kim Possible” (2019), and the DVD release “Kim Possible: The Secret Files” (2003). Her voice acting in “Kim Possible” has further expanded her fan base and added to her professional accomplishments.
Nancy Cartwright has also contributed her voice to various other films and television series, including “The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock” (1998), “The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story” (1998), “Leroy & Stitch” (2006), “Raw Toonage” (1992), “God, the Devil and Bob” (2000; 2011), and “Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures” (2007–2010). With over 150 film and TV credits, Nancy Cartwright has established herself as a prolific and highly sought-after voice actress.
In 2013, Nancy Cartwright was featured in the documentary “I Know That Voice,” which explores the world of voice acting. In 2017, she appeared in an episode of the Nerdist web series “Talkin’ Toons.” These appearances highlight her expertise and her willingness to share her experiences with aspiring voice actors.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
On December 24, 1988, Nancy Cartwright married writer Warren Murphy, who was 24 years her senior, after a two-month courtship. Together, they had a daughter, Lucy, and a son, Jack, before divorcing in 2002. In 2007, Nancy Cartwright began a relationship with contractor/fellow Scientologist Stephen Brackett, and the two were engaged at the time of Brackett’s death in May 2009. According to “The Monterey County Herald,” Stephen “apparently leaped” to his death from the Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur, California. These personal experiences have shaped her life and influenced her perspectives.
Though raised in a Roman Catholic household, Nancy Cartwright joined the Church of Scientology in the early 1990s. In 2007, she received the organization’s Patron Laureate Award after donating $10 million. By May 2023, her total donations to Scientology had reached $21 million. Her involvement with Scientology has been a significant aspect of her life and has influenced her philanthropic activities. This amount significantly impacts Nancy Cartwright’s net worth.
Nancy Cartwright has also contributed to ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Archive Project and received the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s Wish Icon Award in 2007 for her dedication to fundraising and wish-fulfillment efforts. In 2005, she was named Honorary Mayor of Northridge, California. She established a scholarship at Fairmont High School to assist graduates interested in attending Ohio University and studying speech, debate, drama, or music. In 2012, she received an honorary doctorate in communication from Ohio University. In 2019, Nancy co-founded the Know More About Drugs alliance, which advocates for parents’ rights to be informed about the side effects of prescribed psychotropic drugs. These philanthropic endeavors demonstrate her commitment to giving back to the community and supporting causes she believes in.
Awards and Recognition
Nancy Cartwright has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. She has been nominated for three Primetime Emmys for “The Simpsons,” winning Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992. In 1995, she won an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting in the Field of Animation for “The Simpsons” and a Drama-Logue Award for “In Search of Fellini.” In 2002, she received the Faith Hubley ‘Web of Life’ Award at the High Falls Film Festival. These accolades recognize her talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.
Nancy Cartwright has also received four Behind the Voice Actors Award nominations for “The Simpsons,” winning Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series in 2012. The show has also earned her seven Online Film & Television Association Award nominations for Best Voice-Over Performance/Best Voice-Over Performance in an Animated Program. In 2004, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for “Kim Possible.” These awards and nominations reflect her consistent excellence and dedication to her craft.
