David Faustino Net Worth

What is David Faustino's Net Worth, Salary, and Royalties?

David Faustino is an American actor who has a net worth of $4 million.

David is probably best known for starring on the long-running Fox sitcom "Married… with Children". He appeared in all 259 of the show's episodes between 1987 and 1997. David Faustino began acting as an infant, appearing on the "Lily Tomlin Special" when he was three months old. In 1980, he scored a part in "Little House on the Prairie" and began acting more consistently throughout the decade. He landed the role of Bud Bundy on "Married…with Children" in 1987 and starred alongside Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, and Christina Applegate. Since then, he has appeared on "Blossom," "Burke's Law," "MADtv," "The New Addams Family," "Celebrity Boot Camp," "Killer Bud," "One on One," "RoboDoc," "Modern Family," "Not Another B Movie," and "Entourage." He has also voiced characters on the animated series "The Legend of Korra" and "Winx Club." He released his debut album, "Balistyx" in 1992 under the name D'Lil. Faustino also opened a nightclub in Los Angeles with the same name.

Married… with Children Residuals/Royalties

David and the other cast members actually do not make very much money from the ongoing syndication of "Married… with Children", despite the fact that the show has generated over a billion dollars in royalties since being syndicated. When asked about the residual situation, David once explained:

"We got really screwed over. I mean, the show 'Married With… Children' was on for 11 years, and we all made really good money while we were doing it. We made great weekly paychecks, but residuals — we all got screwed over because Fox at the time was not a network, it was a cable network, and so it was under a cable contract. So the show 'Married With… Children' has made over a billion dollars, and we didn't really get a piece of that." – David Faustino.

Early Life

David Anthony Faustino was born on March 3, 1974, in Los Angeles, California. Raised in an entertainment-oriented environment, he was introduced to acting almost immediately. Remarkably, he made his television debut at just three months old, appearing on "The Lily Tomlin Special."

He did not begin working consistently until 1980, when he landed a role on "Little House on the Prairie." From there, he became a familiar child actor throughout the early 1980s, booking guest roles on a wide range of popular television series, including "Highway to Heaven," "Family Ties," "St. Elsewhere," and "The Love Boat." These early appearances gave him steady experience and helped establish him as a reliable young performer in Hollywood.

Breakthrough with "Married… with Children"

Faustino's career changed dramatically in 1987 when he was cast as Bud Bundy on "Married… with Children." The show debuted on April 5, 1987, and quickly became a defining series for the Fox network, known for its edgy humor and unapologetically dysfunctional characters.

As Bud, Faustino played the younger Bundy child, a self-proclaimed ladies' man whose confidence far exceeded his success. The character's constant failures in romance and social status became a core comedic engine of the show. Faustino appeared in 259 episodes over the show's 11-season run, remaining a central figure from the pilot through the 1997 finale.

The role brought him widespread recognition and financial stability, but it also created a strong association that proved difficult to shake in later years. Like many actors tied to iconic sitcom roles, Faustino faced the challenge of being typecast as audiences continued to see him as Bud Bundy.

Film, Television, and Digital Projects

During and after his time on "Married… with Children," Faustino worked to expand his range. In the mid-1980s, he appeared in Disney's "Mr. Boogedy" and its sequel "Bride of Boogedy," marking some of his earliest film work.

Following the end of the sitcom, he took on a mix of independent film roles and television appearances. His credits include projects like "Killer Bud," "RoboDoc," and "Not Another B Movie," along with guest roles on shows such as "MADtv," "Burke's Law," "The New Addams Family," "Entourage," and "Bones." In a notable twist, his appearance on "Bones" featured him playing a fictionalized version of himself.

In 2007, Faustino leaned into emerging digital platforms by creating and starring in "Star-ving," a comedy series distributed through Sony's Crackle network. The show ran for 12 episodes and presented an exaggerated, self-deprecating version of Faustino navigating post-fame struggles. Conceived as an "anti-Entourage," the series drew directly from his real-life experiences and demonstrated an early understanding of online content as a viable creative outlet.

Voice Acting and Career Reinvention

One of the most important phases of Faustino's career came through voice acting, which allowed him to break free from the visual association with his sitcom persona. He found significant success voicing Mako in "The Legend of Korra," the sequel to "Avatar: The Last Airbender." The series was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, introducing Faustino to a younger audience.

He also voiced Helia in Nickelodeon's revival of "Winx Club" and Dagur the Deranged in "DreamWorks Dragons." These roles established him as a reliable voice actor and provided a steady stream of work outside traditional on-screen roles.

Voice acting became a key pillar of his long-term career, offering both creative flexibility and industry longevity.

Music and Business Ventures

During the height of his fame on "Married… with Children," Faustino explored opportunities outside acting. In 1991, he co-founded a Los Angeles nightclub called Balistyx, which was billed as one of the first hip-hop and funk clubs on the Sunset Strip. The venue operated for several years before closing in 1993.

He also released a rap album under the name D' Lil in 1992. The album, titled "Balistyx," included the single "I Told Ya." While his music career did not achieve major commercial success, it reflected his interest in branching out creatively during his early fame.

Later Career and Media Work

In addition to acting, Faustino has remained active in media and entertainment through hosting and production work. He developed a radio show titled "Crank It Up," which combined music, celebrity interviews, and comedy, allowing him to stay engaged with pop culture in a different format.

He has also participated in reunion specials and retrospectives related to "Married… with Children," maintaining a connection to the show that defined his career. His willingness to embrace that legacy, while continuing to pursue new projects, has helped him remain relevant across decades.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Personal Life

In 1999, Faustino met Andrea Elmer at a spiritual center in Los Angeles. The two began dating and, after five years, married on January 24, 2004, at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. They separated in May of 2006. In February of 2007, Faustino officially filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences. The same year, Faustino was arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Florida. A disorderly conduct charge was later dropped after Faustino agreed to complete a drug rehabilitation program.

Later, Faustino began dating Lindsay Bronson. The couple had a daughter together in November 2015.

Real Estate

In 1995, David paid $592,000 for a home in LA above the Sunset Strip. He remained in this house for the next 30 years, ultimately selling it in November 2025 for $2.15 million.

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