Throughout his almost 40-year-long career in the entertainment industry, the American comedian, actor, and game show host Drew Carey has gained a lot of fame, fans, and fortune.
The icon is best known for hosting The Price Is Right, one of the longest-running television game shows and a number-one-rated daytime series, where contestants compete for cash and prizes by guessing the prices of everyday items.
Not many of Drew’s fans know that he began his career in stand-up comedy before making it big with his sitcom, The Drew Carey Show and other wildly popular comedy shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Drew Carey: Human Cartoon, and Drew Carey’s Improv All-Stars.
If you’re curious about how Drew Carey made his way from a stand-up comedian to a highly paid game show host—and how much money he made in the process, you’re in the right place! Today, we’ll uncover Drew Carey’s net worth and his journey to financial success.
What is Drew Carey’s Net Worth?
Drew Carey has an estimated net worth of $165 million, with his primary income source being his successful and decades-long career as a comedian, actor, and TV game show host.
He also owns an investment in Seattle Sounders FC, an American professional soccer club that has an estimated worth of $785 million, according to Forbes. Aside from holding a 7.5% stake, Drew also serves as the chairman of the Sounders FC Alliance, the club’s member association.
As for real estate, Drew owns a luxury home in the Universal City Overlook area on Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, California, with an estimated value of $2.875 million. According to Zillow, he also owns his childhood home in Cleveland, Ohio, with an estimated value of $184,500.
Drew Carey is also a car collector, and his garage reportedly holds an impressive collection of 11 luxury vehicles. This included a 1998 Porsche 911 Cabriolet and a 2017 Mini Cooper JCW, custom-painted with colorful art, worth $25,000 when featured in Jay Leno’s Garage.
How Much Does Drew Carey Earn?
Although he hasn’t publicly revealed his salary, Drew Carey reportedly earns around $12.5 million per year hosting The Price Is Right, which he has been doing since 2007. This makes him one of the highest-paid TV hosts in the world.
As for his TV sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, which aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004, he was said to earn $60,000 per episode in the first few seasons, which was negotiated into $300,000 later on. During the final season, he earned a hefty $750,000 per episode.
Drew’s combined income from The Drew Carey Show and the improv comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway? was enough to get him on the 24th spot on the Forbes list of highest-paid entertainers in 1998, making $45.5 million that year.
In 2016, Drew Carey made it to the Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid TV show hosts, making $12.5 million that year from his hosting career. His other income sources include TV commercials, brand endorsements, and cameo appearances in several films.
Drew also earns from his work as a sports photographer named Brooks Parkenridge and as a minority owner of Seattle Sounders FC, a central league soccer team. He earns from his New York Times bestselling autobiography, Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined.
Drew Carey’s Career: Stand-Up Gigs to Game Show Millionaire
Before Drew Carey became the funny and beloved TV game show host he is today, he worked in a career that was the farthest from comedy—the military. In 1980, he left university and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for six years as a field radio operator.
He also worked as a bank teller and waiter for a short time in 1983. It wasn’t until 1985 that Drew entered the world of comedy. He followed the advice of his friend to go to the library and read books on joke writing.
After winning an open mic competition, he soon began his career as a comedian at the Cleveland Comedy Club. Drew gained his first national exposure when he competed on Star Search ‘88.
In 1991, he appeared on The Tonight Show, starring Johnny Carson, and starred in Late Night with David Letterman. He also joined the 14th Annual Young Comedians Special on HBO. His early stand-up career eventually led him to get his show, The Drew Carey Show, which was a huge hit.
While still working on The Drew Carey Show, Drew became the host of the improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, making him one of the highest-paid entertainers.
He began hosting game shows in 2007, with the Power of 10 and was offered to replace Bob Barker as the host of The Price Is Right. Drew initially turned down the offer but agreed to give it a shot. This opportunity made him one of the world’s highest-paid TV show hosts today.
Drew Carey’s Donations and Charitable Causes
Despite his massive fame and fortune, Drew never forgets to give back to the community, as he generously spends much of his earnings supporting causes he’s passionate about.
Some charities and foundations Drew is connected to include Mercy For Animals, Save the Children, Children International, Larry King Cardiac Foundation, and Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.
Drew is also an avid supporter of libraries, as he credits them for helping him start his successful comedy career. He dedicated his $500,000 winnings in the May 2, 2000, celebrity edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to the Ohio Library Foundation.
At the Hollywood Home games, Drew played on the World Poker Tour for the Cleveland Public Library. In 2007, he donated $160,000 to the Mooch Myernick Memorial Fund in a challenge that involved beating him at the FIFA Soccer 07 video game for the Xbox 360.
During the Writers Guild of America strike in 2023, Drew offered to pay for free meals for striking writers at Swingers and Bob’s Big Boy, two restaurants in Los Angeles. According to the New York Times, his tab at Swingers averaged over $10,000 weekly.
Is Drew Carey Married?
