Drew Carey Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Drew Carey’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth of $165 million, Drew Carey stands as an accomplished American actor, comedian, and television host. Best known for his performances on “The Drew Carey Show” and as the host of “The Price is Right,” he ranked among the highest-paid entertainers globally at the height of his career on The Drew Carey Show, earning the inflation-adjusted equivalent of $1 million for each episode. The show prominently featured a dramatized version of himself and was set in Cleveland, his hometown, earning acclaim for its humor and heartfelt depiction of everyday life. Drew’s natural charm and comedic instinct contributed to the show’s success and secured his legacy in television.

In addition to scripted comedy, Drew Carey made notable contributions to the realm of improvisational comedy as the host of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” His essential role was significant to the show’s popularity in the United States, showcasing talented improvisational comedians in various humorous skits, songs, and games.

After carving out his niche in comedy and sitcoms, Carey transitioned into the role of a game show host. He took over as the host of “The Price Is Right,” succeeding the iconic Bob Barker. Initially, there was curiosity about his ability to fill such a prominent position; however, he quickly adapted, incorporating his comedic flair while honoring the program’s legacy.

Beyond the world of television, Drew Carey actively supports multiple causes and exhibits a strong passion for sports—especially soccer—having a minority ownership stake in the Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer team. He has held a 7.5% ownership in the Sounders since the team’s foundation, which today boasts a valuation of approximately $700 million.

The Price is Right Salary

In his role as host of “Price,” Drew earns an impressive $12.5 million annually, placing him among the top 20 highest-paid TV hosts worldwide.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Drew Allison Carey, born on May 23, 1958, is the youngest of three sons raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He faced the loss of his father to a heart attack at the age of eight. After graduating from James Ford Rhodes High School in 1975, where he played trumpet in the marching band, he pursued higher education at Kent State University. However, he was expelled twice for academic shortcomings and eventually left after three years, joining the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1980. He served six years as a field radio operator stationed in Ohio.

His career in comedy began in 1985 when a friend, David Lawrence, encouraged him to explore books on joke writing from the library. By 1986, he was invited to be the Master of Ceremonies at the Cleveland Comedy Club after winning an open mic contest. Following that, he spent the ensuing years performing at comedy clubs across Cleveland and Los Angeles.

Improv and Acting Career

National recognition came to Carey when he made an appearance on the 1988 show “Star Search,” which was followed by guest spots on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” His stand-up comedy special, “Drew Carey: Human Cartoon,” premiered on Showtime in 1994, earning him a CableACE Award for Best Writing. This triumph in stand-up opened doors for supporting roles in TV shows and films, including “Coneheads” (1993) and the sitcom “The Good Life” (1994).

Working alongside writer Bruce Helford, Carey created the storyline for “The Drew Carey Show,” a sitcom…in September of the same year. Initially, the show garnered high viewership under his leadership. However, it was not without challenges as he stepped into the shoes of the beloved former host. Throughout the years, Carey has continued to maintain a significant fanbase and has seen his reputation grow with the enduring success of the show.

Developed around a fictional version of Carey, the series premiered on ABC in September 1995. For its initial seasons, it enjoyed impressive ratings, but eventually faced cancellation due to a drop in viewership and rising production costs—approximately $3 million per episode. Over its nine-year existence, the show produced a total of 233 episodes.

While he starred in “The Drew Carey Show,” he also became involved in various other projects. This included the improvisational comedy series “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” which began in 1998. In this program, he donned the dual roles of host and participant; he welcomed the improv guests, directed the games, and frequently took part in the concluding game for each episode. The show lasted for 220 episodes before its cancellation in 2006. Additionally, he co-produced and starred in “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show,” which was a spin-off of “Whose Line?” Initially canceled by the WB, it was picked up by Comedy Central. Building upon his success with “Whose Line?,” he hosted the primetime improv series “Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza,” filmed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. This show adopted a similar premise to “Whose Line?” featuring many familiar performers from the original show who would create improv scenes based on audience suggestions. In 2023, Carey was announced to appear in a four-part documentary titled “The Game Show Show,” exploring the history of game shows in America.

Drew Carey Show Salary and Earnings

At his height, Drew Carey was amongst the highest-earning entertainers globally. In 1998, he accrued $45 million from various projects, equivalent to around $70 million today when adjusted for inflation. Between 2001 and 2004, his earnings from “The Drew Carey Show” reached $750,000 per episode, comparable to earning roughly $1 million per episode today. He filmed 79 episodes at that salary, totaling approximately $59,250,000 (excluding inflation) for those three years. Currently, he earns $12.5 million annually as the host of “The Price is Right,” positioning him among the 20 highest-paid TV hosts worldwide.

Hosting Career

Carey’s journey into hosting game shows started in 2007, with his first role being in the CBS game show pilot “Power of 10” from August 2007 to January 2008. Following the pilot episode of “Power of 10,” CBS reached out to him regarding the opportunity to take over as host of “The Price Is Right.” He recorded his inaugural episode of “The Price” in August 2007, with the episodes subsequently airing starting in September of that year. Initially, the show achieved substantial viewership under his stewardship.

in October 2007. In 2017, Carey marked his 10th anniversary as the show’s host, joining Bob Barker as only the second individual to achieve this milestone.

Business Ventures and Other Pursuits

Carey began featuring in commercials in the late 1990s. His two-year agreement with A&W Food Services of Canada was abruptly terminated in November 1998, as an episode of “The Drew Carey Show” included McDonald’s, prompting Carey to file a lawsuit against the corporation for damages. In 1999, an attraction titled “Sounds Dangerous!” was introduced at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida) showcasing Carey. Furthermore, he published his autobiography, “Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined,” in 1997. Carey had a brief stint in professional wrestling; he participated in the 2001 Royal Rumble and was 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. He acquired a 7.5% ownership stake in the team, purchasing it for an undisclosed sum around the team’s founding. In June 2022, a new investor acquired a 3 to 5% share of the Sounders from another partner, with the valuation of the team reported at $680 million. At that valuation, Carey’s 7.5% stake was estimated to be worth $51 million.

Personal Life

From 2007 to 2012, he was engaged to Nicole Jaracz. He announced his engagement to sex therapist Amie Harwick in January 2018; however, they ended their engagement in November of the same year. Tragically, Harwick was discovered deceased in Hollywood Hills in February 2020, and an ex-boyfriend was arrested in connection with her murder.

His remarkable net worth is attributed to several years spent in comedy. Beyond his successful endeavors in television, comedy, and game shows, Carey is well-known for his advocacy for public libraries. He frequently contributes time and funding to ensure libraries remain open and functional. Interestingly, despite his passion for libraries, Carey is also a vocal member of the Libertarian party, advocating for limited government and reduced taxes. Nonetheless, to most of the viewing audience, he continues to be the endearing Drew, complete with his signature spectacles and slightly anxious onscreen character.