What is Tom Arnold's Net Worth and Salary?
Tom Arnold is an American actor and comedian with a net worth of $20 million. He first gained recognition as a standup comedian before rising to fame on the ABC sitcom "Roseanne". He has also starred in other sitcoms such as "The Jackie Thomas Show" and "The Tom Show". On the big screen, Arnold appeared in notable films like "True Lies," "Happy Endings," "The Final Season," and "Madea's Witness Protection."
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Tom Arnold was born on March 6, 1959, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Jack and Linda Arnold. Raised by his father after his mother's departure, he grew up among six siblings. He attended Ottumwa High School before enrolling at Indian Hills Community College and later the University of Iowa from 1981 to 1983, where he studied writing and business administration. Arnold began his entertainment career in the early '80s with a prop-based comedy routine called "Tom Arnold and the Goldfish Review."
"Roseanne" and Subsequent Television Work
In 1989, Roseanne Barr hired Arnold as a writer for her sitcom "Roseanne." He later appeared on the show as Arnie Thomas, a recurring character from seasons two through four. Following his stint on "Roseanne," Arnold co-created "The Jackie Thomas Show" with then-wife Roseanne, where he starred as the titular character. Although the show lasted only 18 episodes, it showcased Arnold's talents. Afterwards, Arnold developed another sitcom, "The Tom Show," which aired for 19 episodes. He has made numerous television appearances, including roles in "General Hospital," "The Simpsons," "The Celebrity Apprentice," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Sons of Anarchy," "The First Family," and "NCIS: New Orleans." He also hosted and narrated the CMT reality series "My Big Redneck Wedding" and competed on the Australian version of "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!" in 2017.
Film Career
Tom Arnold made his film debut in the 1991 horror sequel "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare." He went on to appear in films like "Backfield in Motion," "Hero," "Undercover Blues," and "The Woman Who Loved Elvis." In 1994, Arnold gained significant attention as the sidekick to Arnold Schwarzenegger in the action comedy "True Lies," directed by James Cameron. His late '90s film credits included roles in the romantic comedy "Nine Months," "Big Bully," "Carpool," "The Stupids," and the adaptation "McHale's Navy." In the 2000s, Arnold acted in several films including "Animal Factory," "Exit Wounds," "Cradle 2 the Grave," "Soul Plane," and "Happy Endings." He continued to work in films throughout the 2010s, appearing in "Madea's Witness Protection," "Hit and Run," "Dumbbells," and "Bigger."
Personal Life
Tom Arnold's personal life has been eventful, including four marriages. He married Roseanne Barr in 1990 after struggling with drug addiction and alcoholism but divorced in 1994. He then married Julie Lynn Champnella but divorced in 1999. His third marriage was to Shelby Roos in 2002, ending in divorce in 2008. Finally, he wed Ashley Groussman in 2009, and they had two children before divorcing in 2020.
Real Estate
In 1998, Arnold purchased a home in the Mulholland Estates, Beverly Hills, from Paula Abdul, which he later sold in 2006 for $7.4 million. He then bought a home in Tarzana from Randy Jackson for $1.95 million. In 2009, he and Groussman bought a 4,600-square-foot mansion in the lower Benedict Canyon area of Beverly Hills for $1.7 million and extensively remodeled it. The property features a gourmet kitchen, a dual-sided fireplace, a gym, and a saltwater pool among other luxurious amenities. Following his divorce, the house was listed for approximately $3.85 million.