Overview

Taran Killam, born on April 1, 1982, in Culver City, California, is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer. He is widely recognized for his versatile performances and comedic timing. Killam first gained prominence as a cast member on the sketch comedy series ‘MADtv’ before achieving broader success on ‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL) from 2010 to 2016, where he showcased his talent for impressions and character work. Beyond SNL, Killam has appeared in numerous television shows, including ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ ‘New Girl,’ and ‘Single Parents.’ He has also contributed his voice to animated projects such as ‘Nature Cat’ and has taken on roles in films like ’12 Years a Slave,’ ‘The Heat,’ and ‘Killing Gunther,’ which he also directed. In addition to his screen work, Killam has ventured into Broadway, playing King George III in ‘Hamilton.’ Killam’s diverse career reflects his adaptability and commitment to both comedic and dramatic roles.

What Is Taran Killam’s Net Worth?

As of April 11, 2025, Taran Killam’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million. This figure represents the combined net worth he shares with his wife, actress Cobie Smulders, since 2012. The calculation includes earnings from his extensive career in acting, comedy, writing, directing, and producing.

Career Highlights and Earnings

Taran Killam’s career encompasses a diverse range of roles across television, film, and stage. His most notable role was as a cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) from 2010 to 2016, appearing in 128 episodes. While specific salary figures for his time on SNL are not publicly disclosed, it is common for SNL cast members to earn between $7,000 to $25,000 per episode, especially during the first few years, which would amount to at least $896,000 over his six-year tenure, before considering any raises for recurring cast members. He was also the star of ABC’s “Single Parents” (2018–2020), in which he featured as Will Cooper. The exact salary per episode for “Single Parents” is not publicly available, the successful leads in sitcoms typically earn tens of thousands of dollars for each episode.

Killam’s acting credits also include roles in several films. In 2013, he appeared in “The Heat,” alongside Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, which grossed $229.9 million domestically and $70 million internationally. Also, he played Abram Hamilton in “12 Years a Slave,” which won the Academy Award and earned $56.7 million domestically and $131.1 million internationally. He also acted in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2014), which grossed approximately $191 million domestically and $302.1 million internationally. His roles in these commercially successful films have contributed to his income and net worth.

In 2017, Killam took on the role of King George III in “Hamilton” on Broadway. While specific earnings from his time in “Hamilton” are not public, leading roles in Broadway productions can command salaries ranging from several thousands of dollars per week, depending on the show’s success and the actor’s profile.

Killam has also worked as a writer, director, and producer. He wrote, directed, and produced the 2017 film “Killing Gunther,” and he co-wrote and produced 2016’s “Brother Nature.” While the financial details of these projects are not publicly available, these roles would have provided additional income through various forms of compensation, including upfront fees, backend profits, and royalties. Additionally, Killam has voiced characters in animated projects such as “Nature Cat” (2015–present), “We Bare Bears” (2018), “The Simpsons” (2020), “Vampirina” (2020), and “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” (2021). Voice acting roles generally pay per episode or per project, contributing incrementally to his overall earnings.

Real Estate Investments

Taran Killam and Cobie Smulders have made several real estate investments over the years. In 2009, they purchased a three-unit income property in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, for $990,000. They sold this property in 2017 to comedian Demitri Martin for $1.4 million, resulting in a profit of $410,000.

In 2012, the couple acquired a penthouse condo in New York City for $2 million. The specifics of this property, such as its exact location and square footage, are not widely publicized. However, penthouse condos in New York City often command high prices due to their size, location, and amenities.

In 2017, Killam and Smulders purchased a home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles for $5.6 million. The house underwent extensive renovations over a year. However, the home was tragically destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire. While the insurance coverage details are not public, standard homeowner’s insurance policies typically cover fire damage, which could potentially offset some of the financial loss.

Early Career and Additional Ventures

Taran Killam began his acting career as a child, appearing in “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult” in 1994. During the early 2000s, he gained recognition for his roles on “The Amanda Show” and “MADtv.” From 2000 to 2002, he was featured on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show”. From 2001 to 2002, Killam was a featured player on FOX’s “MADtv.” While the specific salary for these early roles isn’t publicly known, these shows gave him valuable exposure and served as a foundation for his subsequent career.

Killam had a recurring role on the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” from 2006 to 2014, playing Gary Blauman. The number of episodes he appeared in and the details of his compensation is not public. Killam was also a cast member on MTV’s “Wild ‘n Out” from 2006 to 2007.

In 2013, Killam created and co-wrote the comic book miniseries “The Illegitimates.” The comic book is about five illegitimate children of a James Bond-like secret agent. Although comic book sales can vary widely, successful independent comic book projects can generate revenue through sales, licensing, and potential adaptation into other media.

Taran Killam’s diverse career, spanning television, film, stage, and writing, contributes to his and his wife Cobie Smulders’ $25 million net worth.

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