Seinfeld Cast Salaries Was So Outrageous: Richest “Seinfeld” Actors Ranked from Lowest to Highest
- The 'Seinfeld' cast made massive salaries during and after the show.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jerry Seinfeld lead the pack with their fortunes.
- Larry David, the genius behind the show, also amassed great wealth.
Seinfeld is the sitcom that defined ’90s TV and turned everyday life into comedy gold. Created by the hilarious Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, this show ran on NBC from 1989 to 1998 and has continued to make people laugh ever since.
The show’s cast, from the quirky Jerry to the neurotic George, gave us some of the most memorable characters ever. But what about their salaries? These actors didn’t just earn their stripes; they raked in the big bucks. So, who made the most money, and who was just scraping by? Here’s a hint.
Some of them are rolling in cash, while others, not so much. Ready to find out who’s cashing in and who’s not? Let’s break it down and see how the gang from Seinfeld stacks up today!
Liz Sheridan – $1 million
Liz Sheridan is best known for her role as Helen Seinfeld, the loving mother of Jerry. After Seinfeld wrapped in 1998, Sheridan continued acting, with guest spots in shows like Numb3rs and a voice role in American Dad!.
She faded from the spotlight in her later years and passed away in 2022 at 93. At the time of her death, her net worth was estimated between $1 million and $5 million (via The Things).
Estelle Harris – $5 million
Estelle Harris, who passed away in April at 93, is best known for playing Estelle Costanza, George’s overbearing mom on Seinfeld. Since Seinfeld didn’t require her in every episode, she took on other projects, including roles in Star Trek: Voyager and the movie The West Side Waltz.
After Seinfeld, Harris enjoyed a successful career, most famously voicing Mrs. Potato Head in three Toy Story films. She also lent her voice to Disney projects like the Timon & Pumba series and had a recurring role on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody from 2005 to 2008. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth was estimated to be $5 million.
Wayne Knight – $10 million
Wayne Knight is best known for his role as Newman, Jerry Seinfeld’s poetic nemesis on Seinfeld. He joined the show in 1992 and stayed until the end. During his time as Newman, he also acted in big movies like Jurassic Park, Hercules, and Space Jam.
Outside of Seinfeld, Knight gained fame as Don Orville on 3rd Rock from the Sun. He voiced the villainous Big Al in Toy Story 2 and contributed to various animated projects, including Tarzan and Kung Fu Panda.
His career includes guest roles in shows like Torchwood and Narcos, and he starred in the 2018 adaptation of Joël Dicker’s novel The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair. Knight’s diverse acting career has earned him an estimated net worth of $10 million (via Celebrity Net Worth), and he earned a total of $1.12 million from Seinfeld.
Jerry Stiller – $14 million
The late Jerry Stiller played Frank Costanza, the husband of Estelle Harris’ character. A firm fan favorite, Stiller joined the cast in 1993 and remained on the show until it wrapped in 1998.
He received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of fiery Frank, and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1997. After Seinfeld ended, Stiller garnered yet more acclaim for playing Arthur Spooner in the CBS comedy The King of Queens.
He also starred alongside his son, Hollywood actor Ben Stiller, in several movies, including 2001’s Zoolander, as well as its 2016 sequel, and 2007’s The Heartbreak Kid. Stiller passed away in 2020 at 92. His salary from Seinfeld is unknown. However, according to Celebrity Net Worth, he had a net worth of $14 million.
Michael Richards – $30 million
Michael Richards is famous for playing Cosmo Kramer, Jerry’s quirky neighbor on Seinfeld. The character was inspired by comedian Kenny Kramer. Richards won three Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance.
After the show ended, Richards starred in The Michael Richards Show, where he played a bumbling private investigator, but it got canceled quickly due to low ratings.
He later voiced a character in Bee Movie and returned to comedy with roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Kirstie. According Parade, Richards has an estimated net worth of $30 million, and his salary in Seinfeld was $600,000 per episode.
Jason Alexander – $50 million
George Costanza, played by Jason Alexander, is based on Larry David, the co-creator of Seinfeld. This role made Alexander a star, earning him seven Primetime Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nods during his nine years on the show.
Although he never won an Emmy for his Seinfeld role. Since Seinfeld, Alexander has appeared in various movies and TV shows, including Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth is estimated at $50 million. By the final season of Seinfeld, he was earning $600,000 per episode and continues to profit from DVD sales.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – $250 million
Julia Louis-Dreyfus became famous for playing Elaine Benes, Jerry Seinfeld’s ex-girlfriend. This role earned her an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and five Screen Actors Guild awards. The actress started acting on Saturday Night Live in 1982, but her big break came with Seinfeld.
Today, she’s a highly praised actress with 11 Emmy wins and roles in shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, and Veep. In 2020, she had a busy year, voicing a character in Disney’s Onward and starring in the comedy Downhill with Will Ferrell.
She also landed a multi-year deal with Apple TV+ to create and star in new projects, and appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+. According to Parade, her net worth is estimated at $250 million, and she made $45 million in total from Seinfeld alone.
Larry David – $400 million
Larry David is famous for his behind-the-scenes work on Seinfeld. He co-created the show and wrote 62 out of its 180 episodes. David made several funny uncredited cameos, including one as Frank Costanza’s lawyer. In 1993, he won two Emmy Awards for his contributions.
After the sitcom ended, he created and starred in Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also starred in Woody Allen’s Whatever Works and wrote the Broadway play Fish in the Dark in 2015. As reported by Forbes, David’s net worth is estimated at $400 million, with some sources suggesting it could be even higher.
Most of his wealth comes from Seinfeld syndication deals, which have generated around $3 billion. He and Jerry Seinfeld share a significant portion of these profits.
Jerry Seinfeld – $1.1 billion
Last but not least, we have Jerry Seinfeld himself. The actor starred as a fictional version of himself in the hit sitcom Seinfeld, winning a Primetime Emmy in 1993 for Outstanding Comedy Series.
After Seinfeld, he continued with stand-up and produced the 2007 animated film Bee Movie, which earned a Golden Globe nomination. In 2012, he launched the web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, featuring conversations with various comedians and celebrities.
According to Forbes, Seinfeld’s net worth is estimated at $1.1 billion. He earned $1 million per episode during the final season of Seinfeld, but most of his wealth comes from syndication deals.
Seinfeld is available to watch on Netflix!
