Kim Delaney Net Worth

What is Kim Delaney's Net Worth?

Kim Delaney is an American actress who has a net worth of $4 million.

Kim Delaney first gained national recognition in the early 1980s as Jenny Gardner on the daytime soap "All My Children," a breakout role that made her a familiar face to millions of viewers and established her as a rising star in serialized television.

Her career reached a new level in the 1990s with her defining role as Detective Diane Russell on the critically acclaimed police drama "NYPD Blue." Over eight seasons, Delaney portrayed a deeply flawed but driven detective battling addiction while navigating the pressures of police work. The role earned her widespread acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award, and remains the performance most closely associated with her career. Diane Russell became one of television's most memorable female law enforcement characters, praised for her realism and emotional depth.

Following her success on "NYPD Blue," Delaney continued to secure leading and prominent supporting roles across network television. She starred in the legal drama "Philly," played a recurring role on "CSI: Miami," and later joined the ensemble cast of the military drama "Army Wives," where she portrayed a senior officer's spouse over multiple seasons. That role introduced her to a new generation of viewers and reaffirmed her reputation as a dependable anchor for ensemble dramas.

Across more than four decades, Delaney has remained a consistent presence on American television, frequently cast in roles that balance strength, vulnerability, and moral complexity. While she has appeared in feature films and made guest appearances across numerous series, her legacy is firmly rooted in television, where she established herself as a reliable lead and one of the medium's most recognizable dramatic actresses.

Early Life and Background

Born on November 29, 1959, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kim Delaney was raised in a close-knit Irish-American family. The daughter of Joan and Jack Delaney, she grew up with four brothers in the Philadelphia suburb of Roxborough. Her father worked as a union official for the United Auto Workers.

Before pursuing acting, Delaney began her career in the entertainment industry as a model. After graduating from J.W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School, she signed with the Elite modeling agency, which provided her entry into the world of fashion and entertainment. This early modeling work helped finance her subsequent acting studies and laid the groundwork for her transition to television.

Kim Delaney circa 1983 in New York City.  (Photo by Dianna Whitley/Getty Images)

Rise to Fame: "All My Children"

Delaney's acting career began in earnest when she was cast as teenager Jenny Gardner on ABC's popular soap opera "All My Children" in 1981. Her portrayal of the character—who went from humble beginnings to becoming one half of a popular romantic pairing with Greg Nelson (played by Laurence Lau)—quickly resonated with viewers.

During her three-year run on the show, Delaney's character became one of the soap's most beloved, and the "Jenny and Greg" romance developed a passionate following among fans. Her time on "All My Children" ended dramatically in 1984 when her character died in a jet ski explosion, a moment that became one of the show's most memorable departures and demonstrated the significant fan connection she had established.

Emmy-Winning Role: "NYPD Blue"

After several years of film roles and television appearances, Delaney found her signature role in 1995 when she joined the cast of Steven Bochco's groundbreaking police drama "NYPD Blue" during its second season. As Detective Diane Russell, Delaney portrayed a complex, flawed character struggling with alcoholism while proving herself in the predominantly male environment of a New York City police precinct.

Her nuanced performance earned critical acclaim and resulted in an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1997. Delaney's chemistry with co-star Jimmy Smits, who played Detective Bobby Simone, created one of television's most compelling couples, and her character's journey through addiction, recovery, and personal loss showcased her considerable dramatic range.

Delaney remained with "NYPD Blue" until 2001, with occasional returns in later seasons, cementing her place in television history as part of one of the medium's most influential dramas.

Later Career and Notable Roles

Following her departure from "NYPD Blue," Delaney took on the lead role in the legal drama "Philly," once again working with producer Steven Bochco. Though short-lived, the series allowed her to showcase her abilities as a series lead.

In 2007, Delaney began another significant chapter in her career when she joined the cast of Lifetime's "Army Wives" as Claudia Joy Holden, the respected wife of an Army colonel. For six seasons, she portrayed the unofficial leader of the show's central group of military spouses, dealing with the unique challenges faced by military families. Her character's death in 2012 marked another emotional departure for fans who had connected with Delaney's performance.

Other notable television appearances have included roles on "CSI: Miami," "The O.C.," and a return to her soap opera roots with a recurring role on "General Hospital" in later years.

Personal Life and Legacy

Throughout her career, Delaney has navigated the challenge of sustaining long-term professional success while facing periodic personal difficulties. She married actor Joseph Cortese in 1989, and the couple had one son, Jack, before divorcing in 1994. Over the years, Delaney has been candid about struggles in her personal life, including issues with alcohol that at times echoed the addiction storyline portrayed by her character on "NYPD Blue."

In more recent years, her private life has again drawn public attention following legal incidents involving her husband, James Morgan, whom she married in 2022. In February 2026, Morgan was arrested following multiple 911 calls reporting a verbal disturbance outside the couple's apartment building. The arrest came less than a year after both Delaney and Morgan were taken into custody in connection with an alleged domestic dispute, though prosecutors later declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence. Delaney herself was released without a formal criminal complaint in that earlier case.

Despite these challenges, Delaney's legacy as a television actress remains defined by her ability to create memorable, multi-dimensional female characters who resonated with audiences. Her work has helped pave the way for complex female roles in television dramas, and her longevity in an often fickle industry speaks to both her talent and her resilience.

Real Estate

In 2003, Kim paid $1.5 million for a home in Beverly Hills, California. She sold this home in April 2015 for $7.75 million.

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