Michael Richards Net Worth

August 2024 · 11 minute read

Michael Anthony Richards net worth is
$50 Million

Michael Anthony Richards Wiki Biography

American comedian, actor, voice actor, writer and television producer Michael Anthony Richards, was born on 24 July 1949, in Culver City, California. Despite the many roles that Richard has portrayed during his acting career, he is perhaps still best known as Cosmo Kramer, a fictional character in the popular television series created by Jerry Seinfeld called “Seinfeld”. The show starring Jerry, Michael and Julia Louis-Dreyfus is considered to be one of the greatest television shows, while several of its episodes are regarded as the top episodes of any series.

So just how rich is Michael Richards? Authoritative sources estimate that Michael Richards’ net worth is over $50 million, earned mostly from his acting career, and stand-up performances which began in the late 1970s.

Michael Richards Net Worth $50 Million

Richards matriculated from Thousand Oaks High School in California, and then served in the US Army for two years, mostly in West Germany. He subsequently studied drama at Evergreen State College, from which he received a bachelor’s degree in the field. Richards’ career began with various stand-up performances, which eventually gained him an opportunity to appear in Billy Crystal’s cable special. Before his big breakthrough with “Seinfeld”, Richards had several minor roles, in “UHF” – a comedy film written by Weird Al Yankovic – the long-running sitcom “Cheers”, as well as “Miami Vice”. In 1989, Richards was cast to play Cosmo Kramer and was a part of the show from the first season. “Seinfeld” not only brought Richards commercial success and public recognition, but also saw him win several Emmy Awards.

“Seinfeld” inspired a creation of consumer products related to the show such as candies, a flash game and many others. The lead actors enjoyed constant attention from advertisers, as well as media. For Richards, “Seinfeld” was an opportunity to present himself to a large viewership and leave a mark in the entertainment industry. When “Seinfeld” aired its last episode in 1998, Michael Richards went on to create his own sitcom entitled “The Michael Richards Show”. Even though the show only aired eight episodes, it was a major step for Richards, both as a producer and actor.

Michael briefly returned to perform stand-up comedy, but his controversial performance at the Laugh Factory, where he used racial slurs to refer to black hecklers in the audience, caused him a lot of trouble. Even though Richards publicly apologized for his words, the incident was not so easily forgotten, since such shows as “Family Guy”, “South Parks” and others parodied and satirized it. After this controversy, Michael Richards continued on with his acting career, and made several appearances on television screens. In 2007, he voiced a character in “Bee Movie”, and later starred in an improvised comedy television series called “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, with Larry David, Jeff Garlin and Cheryl Hines. Richards’ most recent project is a television show entitled “Kirstie”, in which he appears alongside Kirstie Alley, however, the show ran for just one season before it was cancelled in 2014.

In his personal life, Michael was married to Cathleen Lyons from 1974 until 1993; they have a daughter. He has been partnered with Beth Skipp since 2002, and they have been married since 2010.


Full NameMichael Richards
Net Worth$50 Million
Date Of BirthJuly 24, 1949
DiedSeptember 11, 2001, Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States
Place Of BirthCulver City, California, United States
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
ProfessionComedian, Actor, Television producer, Screenwriter, Voice Actor, Writer
EducationCalifornia Institute of the Arts, The Evergreen State College, Los Angeles Valley College
NationalityAmerican
SpouseBeth Skipp (m. 2007), Cathleen Lyons (m. 1975–1993)
ChildrenAntonio Baz Richards, Sophia Richards
ParentsPhyllis Nardozzi, William Richards
NicknamesMichael Anthony Richards
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pg/Michael-Richards-I-182038065177004/about/
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/mrichie_10
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724245/
Allmusichttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/michael-richards-mn0001015776
AwardsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Screen Actors Guild Award
NominationsAmerican Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (1996), American Comedy Awards, Satellite Award for Best Actor, Screen Actors Guild Awards
Movies“UHF” (1989), “Bee Movie” (2007), “Unstrung Heroes” (1995), “Coneheads” (1993), “The Flintstones” (1994)
TV Shows“Seinfeld” (1989-1998), “Cheers” (1985), “Miami Vice” (1986), “Family Guy”, “South Parks”, “The Michael Richards Show” (2000), “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2009), “Kirstie” (2013-2014)
#Trademark
1Curly bouffant hairstyle
2Towering height
3Physical comedy
#Quote
1[observation, 2013, on the trouble he brought on himself seven years earlier] That'll never happen again. I know how to behave - to consciously behave. When something like that comes up,I don't let the heat of anger burn me up as I did. When you're under the helm of anger, watch out,'cause it'll take you down. It's like being possessed by a demon.
2[on why he returned to television] Well, I'm an artist. You do it because you love to do it. It's what you are. It's the color of your fur. It's the same after all these years.
3[on signing on to appear in 'Kirstie'] When I was doing 'Seinfeld' I was very intense. Physical comedy takes more time to set up - rehearsing how to come through the door, that slide I did. So I was always in development, and that made me feel like I wasn't able to sit back and enjoy the ride. So this time, I want to be more like a child out on the street, just playing and having fun, and not taking it all so seriously.
4My job is to stay out of his way. - in an interview with Oprah explaining how he prepared for the character of Kramer
#Fact
1Had been cast as Dizzy Dean in Durant's Never Closes (2016), but for unknown reasons was replaced with Jon Gries.
2He admitted he had a hard time enjoying himself working on Seinfeld (1989). This he said was because he was so focused on his lines.
3Has a daughter, Sophie, from his first marriage. Has a son, Antonio, from his second marriage.
4Is the oldest of the four main cast members on Seinfeld (1989).
5His father had British Isles ancestry, and his mother was of Italian descent.
6Michael Richards wore the same shoes for The Seinfeld Arc of Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) as he did on Seinfeld (1989).
7He once acted in a driver's education video about insurance rates, playing the role of an irate and reckless driver confused about his insurance.
8Has a daughter named Sophia from his marriage to Cathleen Lyons.
9Banned from ever performing at the Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles.
10Is the only primary cast member on Seinfeld (1989) who has never hosted Saturday Night Live (1975).
11Was the actor Andy Kaufman threw water on during a skit on Fridays (1980). In the Kaufman biopic Man on the Moon (1999), Richards' character was played by Norm MacDonald.
12His big dream when he started acting was to play a detective. This led him to later create The Michael Richards Show (2000), a sitcom about a private detective agency. The show flopped. Later, he was considered for the lead role in another comical detective show, Monk (2002), which ultimately went to Tony Shalhoub.
13Auditioned for the role of Al Bundy on Married with Children (1987).
14Is a Vietnam-era Army Veteran. He was drafted and served for two years in West Germany.
15Is a 33-degree Scottish Rite Freemason.
16Cosmo Kramer, his character in Seinfeld (1989), always wore clothes one size too big to make him appear to be laid back and loose.
17His character in Seinfeld (1989) was named Kessler in the original pilot. The original name wasn't revealed until late in the series in the episode "The Betrayal" where Jerry mistakes Kramer's name.
18Most renowned for his role as Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld (1989).
19Attended the California Institute of the Arts.
20Attended Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, USA.

All pictures

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee2014TV SeriesDick Corcoran
Kirstie2013-2014TV SeriesFrank Baxter
Walk the Light2013ShortLester
Curb Your Enthusiasm2009TV SeriesMichael Richards
Bee Movie2007Bud Ditchwater (voice)
The Michael Richards Show2000TV SeriesVic Nardozza
David Copperfield2000TV MovieMr. Wilkins Micawber
Seinfeld1989-1998TV SeriesKramer Cosmo Kramer Kessler
Redux Riding Hood1997ShortThe Wolf (voice)
Trial and Error1997Richard Rietti
Ellen's Energy Adventure1996VideoCaveman discovering fire (uncredited)
London Suite1996TV MovieMark Ferris
Unstrung Heroes1995Danny Lidz
Airheads1994Doug Beech
So I Married an Axe Murderer1993Newspaper Reporter
Coneheads1993Motel Clerk
Mad About You1992TV SeriesKramer
The Larry Sanders Show1992TV SeriesMichael Richards
Dinosaurs1992TV SeriesDirector
Problem Child1990Martin Beck
Camp MTV1989TV MovieStanley Spadowski
UHF1989Stanley Spadowski
Marblehead Manor1987-1988TV SeriesRick
Whoops Apocalypse1988Lacrobat
Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge1987TV Movie
A Year in the Life1986TV Mini-SeriesRonnie
Fresno1986TV Mini-Series2nd Henchman
Sidekicks1986TV SeriesArnie Plimpton
Miami Vice1986TV SeriesPagone
Tall Tales & Legends1986TV SeriesSneaky Pete
Hill Street Blues1985TV SeriesSpecial Agent Dupre
Transylvania 6-50001985Fejos
It's a Living1985TV SeriesHager
Slickers1985TV MovieMike Blade
Scarecrow and Mrs. King1985TV SeriesPetronus
Cheers1985TV SeriesEddie Gordon
St. Elsewhere1984-1985TV SeriesBill Wolf
The House of God1984Dr. Pinkus
The Ratings Game1984TV MovieSal
Night Court1984TV SeriesEugene Sleighbough
At Your Service1984TV MovieRick the Gardener
Faerie Tale Theatre1982-1984TV SeriesVince / King Geoffrey
Herndon1983TV MovieDr. Herndon P. Stool
Young Doctors in Love1982Malamud
Fridays1980-1982TV SeriesVarious

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Michael Richards Show2000TV Series creator - 7 episodes
FridaysTV Series writer - 2 episodes, 1981 clip writer - 1 episode, 1982

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Michael Richards Show2000TV Series executive producer - 7 episodes

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Seinfeld1992-1998TV Series performer - 4 episodes

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: Single Shot2014-2015TV SeriesHimself
Tom's Restaurant - A Documentary About Everything2014DocumentaryHimself (uncredited)
Katie2013TV SeriesHimself
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee2012TV SeriesHimself
TV's All-Time Funniest: A Paley Center for Media Special2008TV SpecialHimself
Scenes from the Roundtable2007Video documentary shortHimself / Cosmo Kramer
The Last Lap2007Video documentary shortHimself
Jerry Seinfeld, Submarine Captain2007Video documentary shortHimself
Seinfeld: Inside Look2004-2007TV Series documentary shortHimself / Kramer
Late Show with David Letterman1997-2006TV SeriesHimself / Public apology
Larry David's Farewell2006Video documentary shortHimself
Queen of the Castle: The Elaine Benes Story2006Video documentary shortHimself
Live with Kelly and Michael2005TV SeriesHimself
Running with the Egg: Making a 'Seinfeld'2005Video documentary shortHimself
Seinfeld: Jason + Larry = George2005Video documentary shortHimself
The Breakthrough Season2005Video documentary shortHimself
Why Shakespeare?2005Video short documentaryHimself
Just for Laughs2005TV SeriesHimself
The Oprah Winfrey Show2004TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Seinfeld Story2004TV Movie documentaryHimself
How It Began2004Video documentaryHimself
Kramer vs. Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo2004Video documentary shortHimself
No Opportunity Wasted2004TV SeriesHimself
Good Morning Australia2004TV SeriesHimself
Rove Live2004TV SeriesHimself
Ripley's Believe It or Not!2003TV SeriesHimself
V Graham Norton2002-2003TV SeriesHimself
The British Comedy Awards 20012001TV SpecialHimself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show1997-2000TV SeriesHimself
The Daily Show2000TV SeriesHimself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1997-2000TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1993-2000TV SeriesHimself
The 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards2000TV SpecialHimself - Presenter: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Celebrity Profile1998TV Series documentaryHimself
The 24th Annual People's Choice Awards1998TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favorite Television Comedy Series
The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1998TV SpecialHimself - Presenter: Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Biography1998TV Series documentaryHimself
4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards1998TV SpecialHimself
1997 MTV Movie Awards1997TV Special documentaryHimself - Presenter
The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1997TV SpecialHimself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards1997TV SpecialHimself
The 23rd Annual People's Choice Awards1997TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favorite Television Comedy Series
Comedy Central Canned Ham1996TV SeriesHimself
Good Money1996Himself
The 48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1996TV SpecialHimself - Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1995TV SpecialHimself - Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
1995 VH1 Honors1995TV MovieHimself
A Comedy Salute to Andy Kaufman1995TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Wonderful World of Disney: 40 Years of Television Magic1994TV Movie documentaryHimself
The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1994TV SpecialHimself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series & Presenter: Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program
Golden Globes 50th Anniversary Celebration1994TV MovieHimself
Comic Relief: Baseball Relief '931993TV MovieHimself
The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1993TV SpecialHimself - Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
MTV Video Music Awards 19931993TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Montreal International Comedy Festival '931993TV MovieHimself
Bob Hope: The First 90 Years1993TV Movie documentaryHimself
The First Annual Comedy Hall of Fame1993TV MovieHimself
The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1992TV SpecialHimself - Audience Member
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1989-1992TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Behind the Scenes: 'UHF'1989TV Short documentaryHimself
Choice Chance Control1987DocumentaryVictor Loudon

Archive Footage

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2013Best Supporting ActorLos Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood, USShort FilmWalk the Light (2013)
1998ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1997Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1997ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1995ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1994Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1993Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2005TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsFavorite Nosy NeighborSeinfeld (1989)
1999American Comedy AwardAmerican Comedy Awards, USAFunniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1998OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1998ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1998TCA AwardTelevision Critics Association AwardsIndividual Achievement in ComedySeinfeld (1989)
1997OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actor in a SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1997OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1997Golden Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Actor in a Series, Comedy or MusicalSeinfeld (1989)
1997ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1997Q AwardViewers for Quality Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1996Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1996American Comedy AwardAmerican Comedy Awards, USAFunniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1996American Comedy AwardAmerican Comedy Awards, USAFunniest Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureUnstrung Heroes (1995)
1996ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1996ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1995Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1995Q AwardViewers for Quality Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1994Q AwardViewers for Quality Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)
1993American Television AwardAmerican Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Situation ComedySeinfeld (1989)
1993Q AwardViewers for Quality Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy SeriesSeinfeld (1989)

Known for movies


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