What is Tom Bodett's Net Worth?
Tom Bodett is an American author, voice actor, and radio host with a net worth of $10 million. Born Thomas Edward Bodett on February 23, 1955, in Champaign, Illinois, he gained widespread recognition as the voice behind the iconic Motel 6 commercials. He began this journey in the mid-1980s while contributing to NPR's All Things Considered. The creative director at the Richards Group ad agency hired Bodett to record a commercial for Motel 6, and his trademark sign-off, "I'm Tom Bodett for Motel 6, and we'll leave the light on for you," has since become famous.
In 2005, Motel 6 started using Bodett's voice for their wake-up calls, aiming to add a personal touch to their guests' experiences. Bodett also featured in Motel 6's first podcast, released during the holiday season. Alongside his work for Motel 6, Bodett has had several other notable engagements on both television and radio.
Motel 6 and Beyond
In 2007, Bodett hosted the public television program Travels on America's Historic Trails. He also provided voiceover work for segments like "Mime Time" and the "Good Idea/Bad Idea" series, featuring Mr. Skullhead on Animaniacs. This was followed by a brief cameo in Pinky and The Brain and narration in the 1999 direct-to-video Animaniacs movie Wakko's Wish.
Radio and Literary Contributions
As a broadcaster, Bodett hosted two radio programs: The End of the Road (1988-1990) and Bodett & Company (1993). Today, he serves as a contributor to The Bob Edwards Show on XMPR and is a regular panelist on the NPR news quiz show Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me!.
Bodett has also made his mark in literature. He was a regular columnist for the webzine Mr. Showbiz and authored a children's book titled Williwaw!, published in 2009. That same year, he launched the Loose Leaf Book Company, a radio program focusing on author interviews, discussions, and dramatizations.
