Drew Carey Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Drew Carey Net Worth (Money & Salary)


Drew Carey Net Worth (Money & Salary)
October 30, 2024

Drew Carey’s Net Worth and Salary Revealed

The net worth of Drew Carey, the American actor, comedian, and television host, is an impressive $165 million. His fame primarily comes from his roles in “The Drew Carey Show” and as the host of “The Price is Right.” During his time on The Drew Carey Show, he held the notable title of one of the highest-paid entertainers globally, earning the equivalent of $1 million per episode when adjusted for inflation. This series, set in his hometown of Cleveland, resonated with audiences for its humor, heart, and authentic portrayal of everyday life. Drew’s friendly demeanor and impeccable comedic timing made the show a favorite among viewers, securing his place in television history.

Aside from scripted comedy, Drew Carey made significant contributions to the world of improvisational comedy with “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” As the host, he played a pivotal role in the show’s success in the United States, showcasing improv comedians in skits, songs, and games that often resulted in hilarious performances.

Transitioning from comedy and sitcoms, Drew Carey ventured into game show hosting, taking over the revered position on “The Price Is Right” from the legendary Bob Barker. Although fans were initially skeptical of his ability to fill such big shoes, he quickly made the role his own by blending reverence for the show’s legacy with his unique comedic flair.

Besides his television endeavors, Drew Carey has been a vocal advocate for several causes and has demonstrated his passion for sports, specifically soccer, through his minority ownership of the Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer team. Drew has maintained a 7.5% ownership stake in the Seattle Sounders since its inception. The current valuation of the Sounders stands at approximately $700 million.

Drew Carey’s Earnings from The Price Is Right

Hosting “Price” fetches Drew a substantial $12.5 million annually, positioning him among the top 20 highest-paid TV hosts worldwide.

Early Life and Career Origins

Born on May 23, 1958, Drew Allison Carey grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, as the youngest of three siblings. His father’s untimely death from a heart attack at age eight marked a significant moment in his childhood. Graduating from James Ford Rhodes High School in 1975, Drew actively participated in the marching band as a trumpet player. His academic journey at Kent State University faced hurdles, leading to his eventual departure after enrolling in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1980. Serving as a field radio operator in Ohio for six years, Drew embarked on his comedy career in 1985 spurred by a friend’s suggestion to study joke writing at the library. By 1986, Drew assumed the role of Master of Ceremonies at the Cleveland Comedy Club after clinching an open mic contest. Subsequently, he honed his craft through performances at comedy clubs in Cleveland and Los Angeles.

Progression in Improv and Acting

Drew Carey garnered nationwide recognition as a comedian following his appearance on the “Star Search” show in 1988. He further solidified his standing through appearances on iconic programs like “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” His debut stand-up comedy special, “Drew Carey: Human Cartoon,” aired on Showtime in 1994 and earned him a CableACE Award for Best Writing. The success of his stand-up comedy paved the way for supporting roles in television and film projects like “Coneheads” (1993) and the sitcom “The Good Life” (1994).

Collaborating with writer Bruce Helford, Carey conceptualized “The Drew Carey Show,” a sitcom revolving around a fictionalized version of himself. The show premiered on ABC in September 1995, delivering exceptional ratings in its initial seasons. Despite its eventual cancellation due to dwindling viewership and escalating production costs (around $3 million per episode), the show amassed a total of 233 episodes over its nine-year run.

Drew Carey Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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Simultaneous to his role on “The Drew Carey Show,” Drew diversified his portfolio with projects like the improv comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” in 1998. On this show, he adopted a dual role as host and participant, introducing improv guests, steering the games, and frequently engaging in the final game on each episode. The show enjoyed 220 episodes before its 2006 cancellation. Carey advanced this success by co-producing and starring in “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show,” a spin-off from “Whose Line?” that was initially scrapped by the WB before being picked up by Comedy Central. Expanding on the triumphs of “Whose Line?,” he spearheaded the primetime improv spectacle “Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza,” recorded at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. This show mimicked the “Whose Line?” premise, featuring a plethora of original performers engaging in improv sketches inspired by audience suggestions. In 2023, it was confirmed that Carey would feature in a four-episode documentary named “The Game Show Show,” chronicling the history of American game shows.

Compensation and Earnings from The Drew Carey Show

During his prime, Drew Carey ranked among the highest-paid entertainers globally. In 1998 alone, he raked in $45 million from diverse ventures, equivalent to about $70 million today when accounting for inflation. Between 2001 and 2004, he pocketed $750,000 per episode for “The Drew Carey Show.” This figure correlates to roughly $1 million per episode in current times. Filming 79 episodes at this rate translated to $59,250,000 (excluding inflation) for those final three seasons. Hosting “The Price is Right” now earns him $12.5 million per year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top-paid TV hosts.

Drew Carey 1

(Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Career in Hosting

Inaugurating his game show hosting journey in 2007, Drew first undertook the CBS game show pilot “Power of 10” (August 2007-January 2008). His hosting debut caught the attention of CBS, leading to an offer to replace Bob Barker on “The Price Is Right” after wrapping up the “Power of 10” pilot. Drew recorded his initial “The Price” episode in August 2007, with subsequent episodes airing from October 2007 onwards. Celebrating his 10th anniversary as the show’s host in 2017, Drew joined Bob Barker in this exclusive milestone.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Additional Pursuits

Drew embarked on his commercial appearances to diversify his engagements and explore other avenues outside of his entertainment career.

In the late 1990s, Drew Carey’s two-year contract with A&W Food Services of Canada was cut short in November 1998 due to an episode of “The Drew Carey Show” that featured McDonald’s, leading Carey to sue the corporation for compensation. An attraction titled “Sounds Dangerous!” that featured Carey debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1999. In 1997, he also published his autobiography “Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined.”

Carey briefly participated in professional wrestling by entering the 2001 Royal Rumble and later being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.

## Seattle Sounders Investment

Drew Carey became an early investor in the Seattle Sounders F.C., a Major League Soccer team, owning 7.5% of the team. He purchased his stake for an undisclosed amount around the team’s inception. In June 2022, a new investor acquired a 3 to 5% stake in the Sounders, increasing the overall team valuation to a reported $680 million. At this valuation, Carey’s 7.5% stake was worth $51 million.

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## Personal Life

Carey was engaged to Nicole Jaracz from 2007 to 2012. He announced his engagement to sex therapist Amie Harwick in January 2018, but they ended their engagement later that year in November. Tragically, in February 2020, Harwick was found dead in Hollywood Hills, and an ex-boyfriend was arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Despite his success in television, comedy, and game shows, Carey’s notable net worth is also credited to his activism supporting public libraries. He contributes both time and money to keeping libraries open. Carey, an outspoken member of the Libertarian party advocating for limited government and lower taxes, remains a beloved figure to the general public for his signature spectacles and slightly nervous onscreen persona.

Drew Carey Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Data from 2023 and 2024, with forecasted data extending to 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Drew Carey Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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