# Most successful SNL alum? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247 "2011-08-18T23:38:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/1 "2011-08-18T23:38:21Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/2 "2011-08-18T23:42:23Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > 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? You’re missing Sandler. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/3 "2011-08-18T23:45:07Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/4 "2011-08-19T00:00:19Z")
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. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/5 "2011-08-19T00:15:49Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/6 "2011-08-19T00:17:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/7 "2011-08-19T00:18:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/8 "2011-08-19T00:19:39Z")
I’d have to go with Mike Myers ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/9 "2011-08-19T00:46:38Z")
What about Al Franken? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/10 "2011-08-19T00:52:08Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > What about Al Franken? He’s been politically successful, but he sure isn’t raking in any movie bucks. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/11 "2011-08-19T00:59:09Z")
Of course, if he plays his cards right, he can be raking in sweet sweet post-Senator bucks. ---
**Author:** ![GovernmentMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GovernmentMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GovernmentMan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/12 "2011-08-19T01:52:14Z")
does Mike Myers not exist anymore or what ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/13 "2011-08-19T01:59:06Z")
> [@GovernmentMan](#): > > does Mike Myers not exist anymore or what Shrek, Dude. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/14 "2011-08-19T02:29:26Z")
And Austin Powers. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/15 "2011-08-19T03:02:57Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/16 "2011-08-19T03:45:56Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > 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. 😛 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. [QUOTE=MsRobyn] And Austin Powers. [/QUOTE] And he just announced a fourth one is most likely about to be made. Cha-ching! ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/17 "2011-08-19T04:55:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/18 "2011-08-19T06:32:27Z")
Robert Downey Jr., of course. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/19 "2011-08-19T06:49:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247/20 "2011-08-19T13:27:11Z")
> [@DooWahDiddy](#): > > 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. 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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-successful-snl-alum/593247.md?page=2)