Drew Carey’s Net Worth and Salary: Explained
With a net worth of $165 million, Drew Carey, the American actor, comedian, and television host, is best known for his role on “The Drew Carey Show” and as the host of “The Price is Right.” During his time on The Drew Carey Show, Carey was among the highest-paid entertainers globally, earning an inflation-adjusted equivalent of $1 million per episode. The show, set in Cleveland and centering around a fictionalized version of Carey, gained popularity for its humor, heart, and relatable depiction of everyday life. Carey’s amiable personality and comedic timing endeared him to audiences, securing his place in television history.
Expanding beyond scripted comedy, Carey also made his mark in improvisational comedy with “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Serving as the host, Carey played a crucial role in the show’s success in the United States, showcasing improvisational comedians in skits, songs, and games with hilarious outcomes.
Transitioning into game show hosting, Carey took over “The Price Is Right” from the legendary Bob Barker. Initially met with curiosity from fans about his ability to fill such iconic shoes, Carey quickly made the role his own by blending respect for the show’s traditions with his unique comedic flair.
Outside of television, Carey is known for his advocacy work and passion for sports, particularly soccer, where he holds a minority ownership stake in the Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer team. Carey has owned 7.5% of the Seattle Sounders since its inception, and the team is currently valued at around $700 million.
Drew Carey’s Salary on “The Price is Right”
As the host of “Price,” Carey earns an annual salary of $12.5 million, placing him among the top 20 highest-paid TV hosts globally.
Early Life and Career Path
Born on May 23, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio, Drew Allison Carey was the youngest of three sons. His father’s passing due to a heart attack when he was eight shaped his early years. Carey graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School in 1975, where he was involved in the marching band as a trumpet player. His educational journey led him to Kent State University, where academic struggles resulted in two expulsions before he eventually left the institution after three years, later enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1980. Serving as a field radio operator in Ohio, Carey spent six years in the Marine Corps.
His comedy career commenced in 1985 when his friend David Lawrence suggested he seek out books on joke writing from the library. By 1986, he became the Master of Ceremonies at the Cleveland Comedy Club following a victory in an open mic competition. Subsequent years saw him perform at comedy clubs in Cleveland and Los Angeles.
Exploring Improv and Acting
Gaining national recognition as a comedian, Carey appeared on the 1988 show “Star Search,” followed by appearances on prominent shows like “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” His first stand-up comedy special, “Drew Carey: Human Cartoon,” aired on Showtime in 1994, earning him a CableACE Award for Best Writing. Successful in stand-up comedy, Carey secured supporting roles in television and film, such as in “Coneheads” (1993) and the sitcom “The Good Life” (1994).
Teaming up with writer Bruce Helford, Carey co-developed the storyline for “The Drew Carey Show,” a sitcom centering around a fictionalized version of himself.Premiered on ABC in September 1995, the show “The Drew Carey Show” enjoyed high ratings for its first few seasons; however, it was eventually canceled due to declining ratings and increasing production costs (around $3 million per episode). Throughout its nine-year run, the show had a total of 233 episodes.
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While “The Drew Carey Show” was airing, Drew Carey also ventured into other projects, such as the improvisational comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” in 1998. On this show, Carey took on a combination role of host and participant where he announced the improv guests, directed the games, and typically participated in the final game of each episode. The show ran for 220 episodes until its cancellation in 2006. Additionally, he co-produced and starred in “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show,” a spin-off of “Whose Line?,” which was picked up by Comedy Central despite being initially canceled by the WB. He then expanded on his “Whose Line?” success by hosting the primetime improv show “Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza,” filmed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. This new show integrated the premise of “Whose Line?” and featured many of the same performers from the original show engaging in improv based on audience-provided suggestions. In 2023, Carey was announced to be featured in a four-episode documentary titled “The Game Show Show” focusing on the history of game shows in America.
Drew Carey Show Salary and Earnings
Drew Carey was among the highest-paid entertainers globally at his peak. In 1998 alone, he earned $45 million from various ventures, equivalent to around $70 million today after adjusting for inflation. Between 2001 and 2004, he commanded $750,000 per episode of “The Drew Carey Show,” equivalent to approximately $1 million per episode in today’s terms. Over the tenure of those last three seasons, where he filmed 79 episodes at that rate, he earned $59,250,000 (before inflation). Currently, he earns $12.5 million annually as the host of “The Price is Right,” placing him as one of the top 20 highest-paid TV hosts globally.
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Hosting Career
His hosting career began in 2007 when he hosted the CBS game show pilot “Power of 10” (August 2007-January 2008). Following the taping of the pilot episode of “Power of 10,” CBS approached Carey about taking over as the host of “The Price Is Right” in place of Bob Barker. Carey recorded his first episode of “The Price” in August 2007, and the episodes started airing in October of the same year. In 2017, Carey marked his 10th year as the host of the show, making him only the second host, alongside Bob Barker, to reach this milestone.
Business Ventures and Other Pursuits
His foray into commercials and other entrepreneurial pursuits began when Carey appeared in his first commercials.Under the name of *Seattle Sounders Investment*, Drew Carey invested early in the Seattle Sounders F.C. Major League Soccer team. He acquired a 7.5% ownership stake, buying it undisclosedly at the team’s establishment. In June 2022, a new investor procured a 3 to 5% share in the Sounders from another partner, at a team valuation of $680 million. This anonymous investor’s acquisition valued Drew Carey’s 7.5% stake at $51 million.
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*Personal Life*
Drew Carey was engaged to Nicole Jaracz from 2007 to 2012. In January 2018, he announced his engagement to sex therapist Amie Harwick, but they called it off later that year in November. Harwick tragically passed away in February 2020 in Hollywood Hills, with an ex-boyfriend arrested on suspicion of her murder.
His substantial net worth results from his years in comedy. Apart from excelling in television, comedy, and game shows, Carey is known for his advocacy for public libraries. He often contributes time and resources to maintain libraries functioning. Despite his library support, Carey is notably a vocal member of the Libertarian party, advocating for limited government and reduced taxes. Nonetheless, to most viewers, he remains the lovable old Drew, recognizable by his trademark spectacles and slightly apprehensive on-screen demeanor.
Data is sourced from 2023 and 2024 with projections extending to 2025 and 2026. Additionally, we have included forecasts up to 2027 and 2028.