Net Worth Ranker
What Is Stockard Channing’s Net Worth?
Stockard Channing, a celebrated American actress, has amassed a considerable net worth of $15 million. This fortune is the result of her long and varied career in film, television, and theatre, spanning several decades. Channing’s career took off in the 1970s, gaining recognition for roles in films like “The Fortune” and the iconic “Grease.” Her sustained success across different media highlights her versatility and enduring appeal.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Susan Williams Antonia Stockard on February 13, 1944, in New York City, Channing’s upbringing provided a strong foundation for her future endeavors. She attended the Chapin School in New York and later, the Madeira School in McLean, Virginia, an all-girls institution. These early educational experiences were followed by higher learning at Radcliffe College of Harvard University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1965 with a degree in literature and history. Later, she honed her craft at HB Studio in New York.
Channing’s acting journey began in Boston with the experimental Theatre Company. In 1969, she performed in Elaine May’s play “Adaptation/Next”, where she played a vital role in a production. Further expanding her theatrical experience, she joined a revival of “Arsenic and Old Lace”. In 1971, Stockard made her Broadway debut in “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” a rock musical adapted from Shakespeare’s play of the same name, showcasing her adaptability and readiness to embrace diverse roles early in her career.
Film Career: From Breakthroughs to Accolades
Following uncredited roles in films such as “The Hospital” and “Up the Sandbox,” Channing landed a significant part in Mike Nichols’ 1975 black comedy, “The Fortune,” starring alongside Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson. Despite the film’s mixed reception, her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture – Female, which put a spotlight on her talent. She continued to appear in projects like “Sweet Revenge”, “The Big Bus”, and “The Cheap Detective”.
In 1978, Channing secured her breakthrough role as Betty Rizzo in the film adaptation of the musical “Grease.” The film was a box-office hit, grossing over $396 million worldwide. In the 1980s, she continued to work consistently, with roles in “Safari 3000,” “Without a Trace,” “Heartburn” (which grossed $14.8 million), “The Men’s Club,” “A Time of Destiny,” and “Staying Together.” In 1993, Channing earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in “Six Degrees of Separation,” a film that grossed $6.4 million domestically. Other roles during this time include “Smoke”, “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar”, and “Up Close & Personal” (which grossed $100 million worldwide).
Throughout the 2000s, Stockard Channing continued to build her filmography with diverse roles. She began the decade with appearances in “Other Voices,” “Isn’t She Great” and “Where the Heart Is.” Later credits include “The Business of Strangers,” “Life or Something Like It,” “Behind the Red Door,” “Bright Young Things,” “Le Divorce,” “Anything Else,” “Red Mercury,” “Must Love Dogs,” and “3 Needles.” In 2003, she appeared in “Le Divorce,” which grossed $10.3 million, and in 2005, she starred in “Must Love Dogs,” which brought in $58 million worldwide.
Television Successes
Channing’s television career began with a guest appearance on “Sesame Street.” Her first leading role came in 1973 with the television film “The Girl Most Likely To…,” where she portrayed an “ugly duckling” seeking revenge on those who scorned her. This role, although in a made-for-TV movie, allowed her to demonstrate her range early on.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Channing’s presence on television became more pronounced. She received Emmy Award nominations for her performances in the miniseries “Echoes in the Darkness” and television films such as “Perfect Witness,” “An Unexpected Family,” “The Baby Dance,” and a guest role on “Road to Avonlea”. In 1999, she took on the role of First Lady Abbey Bartlet on the political drama “The West Wing”. For her role in “The West Wing”, Channing won an Emmy Award in 2002 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Further acclaim followed for her roles in the television films “The Truth About Jane” and “The Matthew Shepard Story,” the latter earning her a second Emmy Award.
After “The West Wing”, Stockard’s television credits expanded to include roles in the miniseries “Hitler: The Rise of Evil,” as well as TV movies like “The Piano Man’s Daughter” and “Jack,” and the sitcom “Out of Practice.” She also appeared in recurring roles on “The Good Wife,” “The Mysteries of Laura,” and “The Guest Book,” continuing to be an active presence on television. Channing appeared in 24 episodes of “The Good Wife” between 2012 and 2016.
Stage Career and Awards
Channing’s Broadway debut in “Two Gentlemen of Verona” marked the beginning of a successful stage career. She followed this with roles in “No Hard Feelings” and “They’re Playing Our Song.” In 1981, she took on the role of the mother in “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.” In 1985, when she reprised this role on Broadway, Channing won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Stockard received Tony Award nominations for her performances in “The House of Blue Leaves” in 1986, “Six Degrees of Separation” in 1990, “Four Baboons Adoring the Sun” in 1992, and “The Lion in Winter” in 1999.
In 2008, Stockard Channing returned to Broadway to portray Vera Simpson in the musical “Pal Joey,” earning another Tony nomination. Several years later, she was nominated again for her performance in the play “Other Desert Cities”. Her stage credits also include “It’s Only a Play” and “Apologia,” each contributing to her standing in the theater community. In “Pal Joey”, which ran for 268 performances, Channing’s involvement boosted interest and ticket sales, solidifying her influence in the theater scene.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Stockard Channing has been married four times. Her first marriage was in 1963 to Walter Channing Jr., a sculptor and venture capitalist; they divorced in 1967. In 1970, she married Slavic languages professor Paul Schmidt; they divorced in 1976. From 1976 to 1980, Channing was married to writer-producer David Debin. Her fourth marriage was to businessman David Rawle, from 1980 to 1988. Following this, Channing was in a long-term relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham from 1990 until his death in 2014. Channing has no children.
In the early 2000s, Stockard Channing invested $900,000 in a home located in the Hollywood Hills above Los Angeles. She listed this property for sale in 2020 for $2.5 million. In 2007, she acquired a condo in Palm Beach, Florida, for $700,000. Additionally, she owns an apartment in New York City on Park Avenue and a 16-acre property on Georgetown Island in Portland, Maine. These real estate assets contribute to Stockard Channing’s net worth, illustrating her savvy investment choices over the years.
