What is Drew Carey's Net Worth and Salary?
Drew Carey, an American actor, comedian, and television host, boasts a net worth of $165 million. He's famously known for his role on "The Drew Carey Show" and as the host of "The Price is Right." During his stint on The Drew Carey Show, he was among the highest-paid entertainers globally, earning the inflation-adjusted equivalent of $1 million per episode. Set in his hometown Cleveland, the show became beloved for its humor and portrayal of everyday life. Carey's charisma and comedic timing left an indelible mark in television history.
Beyond sitcoms, Carey made notable contributions to improvisational comedy via "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" As host, he was pivotal to the show's U.S. success, where comedians performed impromptu skits and games, often with hilarious results.
After his comedy success, Carey transitioned to game show hosting, succeeding the legendary Bob Barker as the host of "The Price Is Right." Despite initial skepticism, Carey quickly made the role his own, blending respect for tradition with his comedic flair.
Outside of television, Drew Carey is an advocate for various causes and a passionate soccer enthusiast. He owns a 7.5% stake in the Major League Soccer team, Seattle Sounders FC, which he acquired upon the team's inception. Today, the Sounders are valued at around $700 million.
The Price is Right Salary
Drew earns $12.5 million per year hosting "The Price is Right," making him one of the world's 20 highest-paid TV hosts.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Drew Allison Carey was born on May 23, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio, as the youngest of three sons. After his father's death from a heart attack when he was eight, he graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School in 1975, playing the trumpet in the marching band. He attended Kent State University but was expelled twice for poor academic performance and left after three years. In 1980, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, serving six years as a field radio operator in Ohio.
Carey's comedy career began in 1985 when a friend suggested he read library books on writing jokes. By 1986, he was the Master of Ceremonies at the Cleveland Comedy Club, and over the next few years, he performed at clubs in Cleveland and Los Angeles.
Improv and Acting Career
Carey garnered national recognition in 1988 on "Star Search," followed by appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "Late Night with David Letterman." His first stand-up special, "Drew Carey: Human Cartoon," aired on Showtime in 1994 and won a CableACE Award for Best Writing. His stand-up success led to roles in films such as "Coneheads" (1993) and the sitcom "The Good Life" (1994).
In collaboration with Bruce Helford, Carey developed "The Drew Carey Show," which aired on ABC from September 1995. Despite high ratings initially, it was canceled after nine seasons due to declining viewership and high production costs. The show had a total of 233 episodes.
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Concurrent with "The Drew Carey Show," he hosted "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" from 1998, combining roles of host and participant. The show, canceled in 2006 after 220 episodes, saw him co-produce and star in the "Drew Carey's Green Screen Show," picked up by Comedy Central. He also hosted "Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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Drew Carey Show Salary and Earnings
At his peak, Carey was one of the world's highest-paid entertainers. He earned $45 million in 1998 alone, equivalent to $70 million today. Between 2001 and 2004, he was paid $750,000 per episode for 79 episodes, totaling $59.25 million. He currently earns $12.5 million annually from hosting "The Price is Right," making him one of the highest-paid TV hosts globally.
Hosting Career
Carey's hosting career began with the CBS game show pilot "Power of 10" in 2007. Following this, CBS offered him to replace Bob Barker on "The Price is Right." He taped his first episode in August 2007, and it aired in October 2007. Carey celebrated his 10th anniversary as host in 2017, being only the second person after Barker to achieve this milestone.
Business Ventures and Other Pursuits
Carey began appearing in commercials in the late 1990s. His contract with A&W Food Services of Canada was cut short in 1998 after an episode of "The Drew Carey Show" featured McDonald's, leading to a lawsuit against the corporation. In 1999, Disney's Hollywood Studios debuted an attraction, "Sounds Dangerous!" featuring Carey. He also published his autobiography "Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined" in 1997.
Carey briefly ventured into professional wrestling, entering the 2001 Royal Rumble and being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011. He was an early investor in the Seattle Sounders FC. His 7.5% stake, acquired at the team's inception, was valued at $51 million in 2022 when a new investor purchased a stake at a $680 million overall valuation.
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Personal Life
Carey was previously engaged to Nicole Jaracz from 2007 to 2012. In January 2018, he announced his engagement to sex therapist Amie Harwick, but the couple ended their engagement in November the same year. Tragically, Harwick was found dead in February 2020, and her ex-boyfriend was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Carey's substantial net worth is a result of his varied career in comedy, television, and game shows. He's also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly supporting public libraries, despite his Libertarian stance advocating for limited government and lower taxes. To many, he's still the lovable Drew with his signature glasses and amiable personality.
