David Schwimmer Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is David Schwimmer’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth estimated at $120 million, David Schwimmer is an American actor, director, and producer known primarily for his role as Ross Geller on the beloved sitcom “Friends” (1994-2004). His outstanding performance garnered him a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy Award nomination. Prior to gaining fame, Schwimmer appeared in several television series and films, such as “The Wonder Years,” “NYPD Blue,” and “The Pallbearer.”

After the conclusion of “Friends,” Schwimmer starred in films including “Duane Hopwood,” “Big Nothing,” and “Nothing But the Truth.” He also provided his voice for Melman in the “Madagascar” animated film series. In addition to his acting, Schwimmer directed various episodes of shows like “Friends,” “Joey,” and “Little Britain USA.”

On stage, Schwimmer made his Broadway debut in 2006 with “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.” In Chicago, he co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre Company and has taken part in and directed numerous productions there. Recently, he has embraced more serious roles in series such as “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” and “Intelligence.”

Early Life

Born in Flushing, Queens, New York City on November 2nd, 1966, David Lawrence Schwimmer was raised in a Jewish family with an older sister. His parents, both attorneys, later moved the family to Los Angeles, where David developed a strong interest in acting and a love for Shakespeare.

The family eventually settled in Beverly Hills, and Schwimmer attended high school there. Throughout his high school experience, he felt like an outsider and initially aimed to become a doctor, excelling in math and science. Nevertheless, his love for acting persisted, leading him to enroll in drama classes and participate in summer acting programs.

Following high school, Schwimmer attended Northwestern University, where he joined an improv group that included Stephen Colbert. He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in theater and speech. Although he co-founded the Lookingglass Theater Company in Chicago post-graduation, he soon returned to Los Angeles to chase an acting career.

Career

Schwimmer’s initial television appearances included roles in programs like L.A. Law, The Wonder Years, NYPD Blue, and Monty. He also acted in films such as A Deadly Silence and Flight of the Intruder.

His significant breakthrough occurred in 1994 when he was cast as Ross Geller in Friends. The series premiere attracted 22 million viewers, and it quickly cultivated a dedicated fan base. During his tenure on Friends, Schwimmer expanded his filmography with roles in movies like The Pallbearer, Kissing a Fool, Six Days, Seven Nights, Picking Up the Pieces, and Apt Pupil.

A pivotal moment in Schwimmer’s career came in 2001 when he took on a role in the World War II miniseries Band of Brothers. In this production, Schwimmer portrayed Captain Sobel, a character known for his neurotic demeanor and…

the terms of their contracts, they significantly impacted their earnings. In 2005, he began his role as the voice of Melman the giraffe in the Madagascar film series.

In the following years, David Schwimmer expanded into directing films, including Run Fatboy Run, while also making his debut on Broadway with The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. He made appearances in several television series, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, and Entourage.

He marked his return to television in 2011 with a guest role in the British comedy series Come Fly With Me after a significant hiatus. In 2016, he took on the role of Robert Kardashian in the first season of American Crime Story, a series centered on the OJ Simpson trial. Other series he appeared in include Feed the Beast, Homecoming, and Intelligence. In 2019, Schwimmer portrayed Matthew Quirk in The Laundromat. In 2023, he played Joel Moon in Captain Fall and Harris Goldblatt in Extrapolations.

Relationships

During the late 1990s, Schwimmer was in a relationship with singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia. In 2010, David Schwimmer wed Zoe Buckman, and the following year they welcomed a child. After spending time apart, the couple divorced in 2017.

David Schwimmer Friends Salaries and Royalties

At the start of Friends, each cast member was compensated $22,500 per episode, totaling $540,000 for that first season. In the second season, their pay increased to $40,000 per episode, amounting to $960,000 annually.

Prior to the expiry of their contracts before the third season, the main cast united to renegotiate their contracts effectively. After successful negotiations, the studio agreed to a salary of $75,000 per episode for the third season, translating to $1.875 million per year for each main cast member.

This newly agreed contract also included stipulations for pay increases in subsequent seasons. During season four, the main cast of Friends earned $85,000 per episode ($2.04 million annually), $100,000 per episode in season five ($2.5 million each year), and $125,000 per episode in season six ($3.125 million yearly).

However, the cast sought further increases before the start of season seven, returning once more to the negotiating table. United, they successfully demanded $750,000 per episode for seasons seven and eight, which led to earnings of approximately $18 million per season for each cast member.

Season nine and ten contracts were equally lucrative, specifying $1 million per episode. Consequently, the main cast garnered $24 million for season nine and $18 million for season ten. Overall, David Schwimmer amassed an estimated $90 million in base salary from the show, matching the earnings of every other primary cast member, excluding backend bonuses and ongoing royalties.

Royalties

During the renegotiation of contracts, David Schwimmer and his co-stars from Friends established significant implications for their earnings.In 2000, they negotiated contracts that not only included backend points but also set the stage for significant royalties when the show transitioned into syndication. Such deals were exceptional, with only a few individuals like Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Cosby having successfully secured similar arrangements.

The brand of Friends continues to rake in over $1 billion annually from syndication royalties and streaming agreements. Consequently, David Schwimmer can earn between $10-20 million in royalties in just one year.

Real Estate

In 1998, David Schwimmer acquired a loft in Chicago for $425,000. He initially listed the condominium at $1.15 million but eventually reduced the price, selling it for $965,000 in 2020.

In 2001, Schwimmer spent $5.6 million on a substantial mansion in the upscale Hancock Park area of Los Angeles. The property spans 11,336 square feet and boasts nine bedrooms, five fireplaces, and a wood-paneled library, along with outdoor amenities that include tennis courts and a swimming pool. After listing the mansion for $10.7 million in 2011, he eventually lowered the asking price and sold it in 2012 for close to $8.9 million.

In 2010, Schwimmer made New York City his main residence by purchasing a townhome in Manhattan’s East Village for $3.9 million. He subsequently redeveloped the property through a limited liability company, completely tearing down the historic building from 1852 and replacing it with a modern five-story brick townhouse.