Michael Richards' net worth and how the Seinfeld star built his fortune
Michael Richards' net worth is alleged to be $30 million as of 2025. He has obtained his wealth primarily through his acting and comedy career. His most lucrative source of income was his legendary and iconic role as Cosmo Kramer on the television comedy Seinfeld. The show's success resulted in substantial financial benefits for Michael.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Michael Richards rose to international prominence as Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld (1989–1998).
- His salary on Seinfeld increased significantly over time, reaching an estimated $600,000 per episode in the final season.
- In addition to acting, his revenue sources include his early career as a stand-up comedian and other ventures.
Michael Richards' profile summary
Full name | Michael Anthony Richards |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | 24 July 1949 |
Age | 76 years old (as of 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Leo |
Place of birth | Culver City, California, United States |
Current residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Freemasonry |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height in feet | 6′3″ |
Height in centimetres | 191 |
Weight in pounds | 194 |
Weight in kilograms | 88 |
Hair colour | Grey-brown |
Eye colour | Blue |
Marital status | Married |
Wife | Beth Skipp |
Children | Sophia Richards, Antonio Baz Richards |
Father | William Richards |
Mother | Phyllis Nardozzi |
Education | Evergreen State College, California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles Valley College |
Profession | Actor, comedian |
Years active | 1979–present |
Net worth | $30 million |
What is Michael Richards' net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the American actor has an alleged net worth of $30 million. He has built his fortune primarily through his career as a comedian and actor. Here is a breakdown of Michael Richards' income sources:
Michael Richards' acting career: From early roles to a television legend
Michael started acting as Dr. Pinkus in 1981 in the TV movie The House of God. He was later featured in several other films and TV shows, such as Seinfeld (1989–1998), UHF (1989), and Problem Child (1990).
Source: UGC
Michael Richards is well known for his portrayal of Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld. However, his filmography encompasses a wide range of television shows and films. According to his IMDb page, he has 46 acting credits. Some of Michael Richards' movies and TV shows include:
Year | Movie/TV show | Role |
2019 | Faith, Hope & Love | Daddy Hogwood |
(2013–2014) | Kirstie | Frank Baxter |
2013 | Walk the Light | Lester |
2009 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Michael Richards |
2007 | Bee Movie | Bud Ditchwater (voice) |
2000 | David Copperfield | Mr. Wilkins Micawber |
(1989–1998) | Seinfeld | Cosmo Kramer |
1997 | Trial and Error | Richard Rietti |
1996 | London Suite | Mark Ferris |
1995 | Unstrung Heroes | Danny Lidz |
1994 | Airheads | Doug Beech |
1993 | So I Married an Axe Murderer | Newspaper Reporter |
1992 | The Larry Sanders Show | Michael Richards |
1990 | Problem Child | Martin Beck |
1989 | Camp MTV | Stanley Spadowski |
(1987–1988) | Marblehead Manor | Rick |
1986 | Sidekicks | Arnie Plimpton |
1985 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Petronus |
1984 | The Ratings Game | Sal |
1982 | Young Doctors in Love | Malamud |
Source: Getty Images
Michael Richards' acting career earnings
According to CNBC, Michael Richards' salary for the final season of Seinfeld was reportedly $600,000 per episode. It amounted to around $13 million for the 22-episode season. His salary was allegedly $150,000 per episode for the fifth season and subsequently increased to $200,000 per episode in the following seasons.
Does Michael Richards receive royalties from Seinfeld?
The American actor does not earn royalties from Seinfeld, although he does receive normal Screen Actors Guild (SAG) residuals for reruns. His earnings are not disclosed, but are a fraction of what the show's co-creators make.
Michael Richards' writing and producing credits
Anthony wrote episodes for Fridays (1981-1982) and his sitcom, The Michael Richards Show (2000), which he also co-produced. He co-produces the movie Faith, Hope & Love (2019).
A look into Michael Richards' comedy career
Source: Getty Images
Michael Richards started his career as a stand-up comedian in the late 1970s. His performance was a unique combination of physical comedy and improvisation. Michael got his initial national recognition on Billy Crystal's first cable television special and as a cast member on the sketch comedy program Fridays from 1980 to 1982.
Michael Richards' endorsement deals
Michael Richards has had several endorsement deals throughout his career. His notable endorsements include Pepsi, Hilfiger, Vodafone, and Bud Light. While the specific amounts from these deals are undisclosed, endorsements are one of his primary sources of income.
A glimpse inside Michael Richards' real estate portfolio
According to Celebrity Net Worth, in 1992, the former stand-up comedian paid $525,000 for a property in Studio City, California. He sold the house for $810,000 in 1998, just a few months after the show's finale.
In 1996, Michael spent $1.75 million on a 6,000-square-foot property in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. Today, the house is worth between $8 million and $10 million.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
- Who is Michael Richards? He is an American actor and former stand-up comedian.
- How old is Michael Richards? He is 76 years old as of 2025. Michael was born on 24 July 1949.
- What is Michael Richards doing now? Michael has spent several years out of the public eye. He returned to public life in June 2024 with the release of his memoir, Entrances and Exits.
- Who is the richest Seinfeld cast member? The richest Seinfeld cast member is Jerry Seinfeld. According to Forbes, he has an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion.
- How much has Michael Richards made from Seinfeld? According to IMDb, he has allegedly earned $45 million from the show's success.
- Who is Michael Richards' wife? The actor is currently married to Beth Skipp, an American actress. They got married in 2010.
- Who are Michael Richards' kids? Michael has two children: A daughter, Sophia, from his previous marriage to Cathleen Lyons, and a son, Antonio, with his wife, Beth Skipp.
Michael Richards' net worth reflects his tremendous accomplishments in his acting and comedy career. While his popularity is almost entirely due to his role of Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld, his financial success results from various revenue streams.
Yen.com.gh published an article featuring Edie Falco's net worth. Edie Falco's net worth is estimated to be millions of dollars. She supplements her income through movies, theatre, and strategic commercial partnerships.
Edie Falco has earned her income through high-profile acting performances, real estate investments, syndication royalties, and selected endorsements. Read the article to learn more.
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