Who has been the most financially successful Saturday Night Live alumnus? I’d have to think it’s between Will Ferrell, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon. Am I missing any big earners? If I had to pick one of those I’d probably start towards the end of the list since although TV gives smaller paydays, they tend to be more frequent.
You’re missing Sandler.
Did some poking around the Internet. Estimated net worths:
Will Ferrell: $80 mil
Bill Murray: $120 mil
Eddie Murphy: $75 mil
Tina Fey: $45 mil
Jimmy Fallon: $16 mil
Also:
Dan Aykroyd: $135 mil
Chevy Chase: $50 mil
Adam Sandler: $300 mil
Few more:
Chris Rock: $70 mil
Mike Myers: $175 mil
Billy Crystal: $35 mil
OK, and I found a site that says Julia Louis-Dreyfus is worth $3 billion, but that doesn’t count, because actually it’s her dad that’s worth that much. She might well inherit some of that when he kicks, but for now it’s still his. 
Without checking on any sources, I’d guessed Adam Sandler, Will Farrell, or Eddie Murphy because of all the movies they’ve been that hauled in a ton of cash (not saying the movies are any good, but they were money makers). I think in time in time the most financially successful will be Tina Fey because of her participation with her TV show. Once in syndication that will be a jackpot for her. The only other one in the same situation is Amy Poehler with her TV show. Maybe Jimmy Fallon will be in the same boat eventually.
Wow, I had a total brain fart on Adam Sandler. That dude prints money on the slimmest of talent. I had no idea that they’d make that kind of jack, though.
Except for a couple of outliers, in general it seems that the longer ago the person was on SNL/gained fame, the more money they have, which isn’t really surprising, as most of these people continue to make projects and accumulate wealth as the years go past.
I’m a bit surprised that Chevy Chase doesn’t have more than he does.
I’d have to go with Mike Myers
What about Al Franken?
He’s been politically successful, but he sure isn’t raking in any movie bucks.
Of course, if he plays his cards right, he can be raking in sweet sweet post-Senator bucks.
does Mike Myers not exist anymore or what
Shrek, Dude.
And Austin Powers.
Regarding net worths, the Wikipedia article on Phil Hartman says that he left an estate worth $1.23 million to his children. I was surprised it was that low. He was starring in a television series and had done some movie and voiceover work. But perhaps his estate earned more as News Radio went into syndication.
Well yeah, but I’m sure Seinfeld money takes up a large chunk of that too. Maybe not most of it, maybe not even a third, but still, you can’t chalk the entire thing up to her father.
And he just announced a fourth one is most likely about to be made. Cha-ching!
I find that pretty surprising, but it’s possible he could have a lot of assets outside of the estate. If he put stuff in trusts it wouldn’t be probated.
Robert Downey Jr., of course.
I see that the OP mentioned financially successful, but Eddie Murphy, Robert Downey, Jr, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Billy Crystal have all been nominated for Oscars.
I’m sure she has significant personal wealth of her own, but considering that the next-most-successful alum is Adam Sandler, who has had a ton of wildly successful films (well, financially successful, anyway), and he “only” has $300m, I doubt that even a small fraction of that $3 billion number is from her own personal earnings. I mean, a third would be $1 billion. :eek: I don’t think you make that kind of scratch from TV acting, not even from a show like Seinfeld.