Margaret Cho Net Worth

What is Margaret Cho's Net Worth and Salary?

Margaret Cho is an American comedian, actress, singer, author, and fashion designer with a net worth of $4 million. Cho is renowned for her stand-up comedy and has appeared in over 90 film and television projects. She starred in the ABC sitcom "All-American Girl" from 1994 to 1995 and portrayed Teri Lee on Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" from 2009 to 2014. Some of her notable films include "Face/Off" (1997), "One Missed Call" (2008), "17 Again" (2009), and "Faith Based" (2020). Cho has authored books like "I'm the One That I Want" (2001) and "I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight" (2005), and she launched a podcast, "The Margaret Cho," in 2019. Margaret also started the clothing line High Class Cho in 2003 and Hip Wear, a line of belly dancing belts, in 2006. She has released two music albums, "Cho Dependent" (2010) and "American Myth" (2016), along with nine comedy albums, including "Notorious C.H.O. – Live at Carnegie Hall" (2002), "Assassin" (2005), and "PsyCHO" (2015).

Early Life

Margaret Cho was born Margaret Moran Cho on December 5, 1968, in San Francisco, California. Her parents, Seung-Hoon and Young-Hie, immigrated to the U.S. from Seoul, Korea, in 1964. After her birth, her father was deported due to lacking a work permit but later returned to run a bookstore with his wife and write joke books. The family resided in a diverse neighborhood near Ocean Beach. Cho faced bullying during her school years and experienced significant trauma, including molestation and rape. Despite these hardships, she found solace in comedy and improvisation during her time at the San Francisco School of the Arts and went on to study drama at San Francisco State University before leaving to pursue a stand-up career. She once worked as a phone sex operator and a dominatrix.

Career

Margaret began performing stand-up comedy at a club next to her parents' bookstore and later around other clubs. She appeared on television in shows like "Stand-Up Spotlight" (1988) and "Comics Only" (1989). She became the opening act for Jerry Seinfeld and had roles in "The Golden Palace" and the television film "Move the Crowd." Her sitcom "All-American Girl" aired in 1994 but was short-lived. Post-cancellation, Cho struggled with substance abuse. She gained further recognition with the one-woman show "I'm the One That I Want" in 1999.

In the 2000s, Cho starred in "Notorious C.H.O." and released the comedy film "Revolution." She wrote and starred in "Bam Bam and Celeste" (2005) and toured with a variety show, "The Sensuous Woman" (2007). In 2008, she participated in Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and starred in VH1's reality show "The Cho Show." From 2009 to 2014, she played Teri Lee on "Drop Dead Diva." Cho competed on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2010 and guest-starred on "30 Rock" as both Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un. She has since appeared in series like "Dr. Ken," "Law & Order: SVU," and films such as "Bright" (2017) and "Friendsgiving" (2020). Her voice work includes projects like "Family Guy" (2016).

Personal Life

Cho is bisexual and has openly discussed her experiences in polyamory and alternative sexuality. She married Al Ridenour in 2003 and filed for divorce in 2015. Margaret has had relationships with Chris Isaak and Quentin Tarantino. Due to pressure from ABC executives, she lost 30 pounds rapidly, resulting in kidney failure. In 2016, Cho underwent rehab following an intervention by friends and family, leading to over a year in a treatment center.

Awards and Nominations

Cho has received numerous accolades, including the Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic at the 1994 American Comedy Awards and a Primetime Emmy nomination for her guest role on "30 Rock" in 2012. She's been nominated for five Grammys, a CableACE Award, and an Online Film & Television Association award. Margaret has also received awards from GLAAD, Lambda Legal, NOW, the ACLU, and the Asian Excellence Awards. San Francisco declared April 30, 2008, as "Margaret Cho Day."