Overview

Theresa Elizabeth “Teri” Polo (born June 1, 1969) is an American actress widely recognized for her role as Pamela Byrnes-Focker in the ‘Meet the Parents’ film series. Polo began her career as a ballet dancer, studying for many years before transitioning into acting. Her early television roles included appearances on the soap opera ‘Loving’ and the series ‘TV 101’. She gained further recognition in the 1990s with roles in ‘Northern Exposure’ and the miniseries ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. Her career breakthrough came with ‘Meet the Parents’ in 2000, which led to subsequent roles in film and television. Besides the ‘Meet the Parents’ trilogy, she is also known for her role as Stef Adams Foster in the ABC Family series ‘The Fosters’ and its spin-off ‘Good Trouble’. Teri Polo has showcased her versatility across various genres, maintaining a steady presence in the entertainment industry.

What Is Teri Polo’s Net Worth?

As of 2023, Teri Polo’s net worth is estimated to be around $200,000. This figure reflects her earnings from a multifaceted career spanning film and television, however, it has been impacted by financial difficulties.

Teri Polo’s Financial Background

In April 2014, Teri Polo declared bankruptcy in California, revealing significant debts. The filings indicated approximately $772,000 owed to the IRS and $30,000 in credit card debt. Additionally, a former landlord sought $30,000 for property damages. These factors provide context to her current net worth, highlighting the challenges she has faced despite a successful acting career. The specific details of the bankruptcy proceedings, including the types of credit cards used and the exact location of the rental property, were not disclosed in the provided information.

Teri Polo’s Early Career and Television Roles

Teri Polo, born in Dover, Delaware, began her journey in the entertainment industry after studying ballet from the age of five. She later transitioned to acting after winning a modeling contest. Her early television roles included a debut on the ABC soap opera “Loving” in 1986, where she played Kristin Larsen. This was followed by a main role in the CBS drama “TV 101”. In 1990, she played Christine Daaé in the miniseries “The Phantom of the Opera,” and Justine Altemus Slatkin in “People Like Us.” The specific salary details for these early roles are not available, but they marked the beginning of her career and contributed to her initial earnings.

Polo’s career gained momentum in 1994 when she became a regular cast member on the final season of “Northern Exposure,” playing Michelle Schodowski Capra. Following this, she had a guest appearance on “Chicago Hope” and appeared in television movies such as “Full Circle,” “Van Helsing Chronicles,” and “A Father for Brittany.” In the late 90s, she had a recurring role on the Fox series “Brimstone” and appeared in episodes of “Felicity” and “Sports Night.” Details regarding her compensation for these roles vary, but her presence in these series helped to increase her visibility and market value in the industry.

Teri Polo’s Notable Television Career: “The West Wing” and “The Fosters”

In the early 2000s, Teri Polo continued to build her television career with roles in television movies like “Second String” and “Straight from the Heart.” She also guest-starred in “The Practice” and played Alex Young in the sitcom “I’m with Her.” However, a significant turning point was her role in Aaron Sorkin’s political drama “The West Wing” from 2005 to 2006. Polo played Helen Santos, the wife of Jimmy Smits’ presidential candidate, appearing in the show’s sixth and seventh seasons. While her exact salary for “The West Wing” has not been publicly disclosed, roles on such prominent series typically command substantial compensation, contributing significantly to an actress’s earnings.

From 2013 to 2018, Polo played Stef Adams Foster, a police officer and lesbian mother, in the ABC Family series “The Fosters”. The show ran for 104 episodes, providing Polo with a stable and significant source of income over those years. Again, the specific per-episode or per-season salary details are not available in the provided snippets. Polo reprised her role in the spinoff series “Good Trouble.” Her involvement in “The Fosters” was a major contributor to her net worth during that period.

Teri Polo’s other television credits include guest appearances in series such as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “CSI: Miami,” and “Ghost Whisperer.” She also appeared in Hallmark movies like “The Christmas Shepherd” and “Love, Again”. These roles, while potentially smaller in scale compared to “The West Wing” and “The Fosters”, provide additional streams of income and contribute to her overall financial portfolio. The exact financial impact of these smaller roles is difficult to ascertain without specific contract details.

Teri Polo’s Film Career: “Meet the Parents” and Other Roles

Teri Polo’s film career began in 1991 with a role in “Born to Ride,” followed by “Mystery Date” alongside Ethan Hawke. She later appeared in films such as “Aspen Extreme,” “The House of the Spirits,” and “The Arrival.” However, her most famous film role came in 2000 with “Meet the Parents,” where she played Pam Byrnes, the girlfriend of Ben Stiller’s character. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over $330 million worldwide. The film spawned two sequels, “Meet the Fockers” and “Little Fockers,” in which Polo reprised her role. While Teri Polo’s exact salary for “Meet the Parents” and its sequels is not explicitly detailed, the success of these films would have provided her with substantial earnings, including potential backend profits based on the films’ box office performance.

Outside of the “Meet the Parents” trilogy, Polo has appeared in films such as “Domestic Disturbance,” “Beyond Borders,” “Full of It,” “2:13,” “The Hole,” “Authors Anonymous,” and “Outlaws and Angels.” These roles, while varying in prominence, contributed to her income over the years. The financial specifics for these roles are not available, but they reflect her continued activity in the film industry and her ability to secure diverse acting opportunities.

Teri Polo’s Personal Life and Marital Status

Teri Polo was married to photographer Anthony Moore in 1997, and they had a son, Griffin. They divorced in 2005. In 2006, she began dating drummer Jamie William, with whom she had a daughter, Bayley, in 2007. They separated in 2012. The financial details of her divorce from Anthony Moore, including any alimony or child support agreements, have not been publicly disclosed. Similarly, the specifics of her separation from Jamie William, including any financial arrangements, are not available. These personal events, however, can influence an individual’s net worth due to legal and logistical expenses.

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