Felicity Huffman Net Worth

What is Felicity Huffman's net worth and salary?

Felicity Huffman is an actress and director who has a net worth of $45 million. That is a combined net worth with her husband, fellow actor William H. Macy.

Felicity Huffman is best known for her award-winning role as Lynette Scavo on the hit television series "Desperate Housewives" (2004–2012). Huffman began her career in the 1980s, earning recognition for her work in theater before transitioning to television and film. Early roles included appearances in series such as "The X-Files", "The West Wing", and "Sports Night". However, it was her portrayal of Lynette, a working mother with a chaotic family life, that brought her widespread fame and critical acclaim. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2005 and multiple Golden Globe nominations.

In addition to "Desperate Housewives", Huffman has appeared in a variety of film and television roles. Her film career includes notable performances in "Transamerica" (2005), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of a transgender woman, as well as "Wild Oats" (2016) and "Georgia Rule" (2007). Huffman has also worked as an executive producer and director, showcasing her versatility in the entertainment industry.

Despite her professional success, Huffman's career was marred by her involvement in the 2019 college admissions scandal. She pled guilty to paying a college admissions consultant to help her daughter cheat on the SAT, which led to a brief prison sentence and significant media attention. While this legal issue temporarily overshadowed her career, Huffman has since continued to work in the industry, with roles in series like "When They See Us" (2019) and "The Other Woman" (2021).

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Early Life

Felicity Huffman was born in Bedford, New York, in 1962. She is the daughter of Grace Valle, an actress, and Moore Peter Huffman, a banker. She comes from a large family of six sisters, Mariah, Isabel, Jessie, Grace, Betsy, and Jane, and one brother, Moore Jr. Her parents divorced when she was just an infant, and she was raised by her mother in Putney, New York.

Felicity attended a boarding middle school in Putney and the Interlochen Art Academy in Michigan. From there, she continued her education at New York University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama.

Career

Felicity Huffman's career spans several decades, showcasing her exceptional range as an actress across theater, television, and film. She began her professional journey in 1988, making her Broadway debut in David Mamet's production of "Speed-the-Plow." Huffman quickly gained recognition for her natural talent, transitioning to film the same year with roles in "Lip Service" and "Things Change." These early appearances paved the way for a diverse career, both on stage and in front of the camera.

Throughout the 1990s, Huffman continued to establish herself as a skilled actress. In 1992, she took on the role of Annie in the made-for-TV movie "The Heart of Justice." A few years later, in 1996, she appeared as Peggy Maclin in "Harrison: Cry of the City," a film that further solidified her presence in both independent and mainstream productions. Although Huffman was gaining a steady foothold in Hollywood, her breakthrough role was just around the corner.

In 1998, Huffman was cast in "Sports Night," Aaron Sorkin's critically acclaimed, though short-lived, television series. As Dana Whitaker, the executive producer of a fictional sports network, Huffman demonstrated her ability to juggle sharp wit with emotional depth. Although "Sports Night" ran for only two seasons, it garnered Huffman considerable attention, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role. The series marked the beginning of Huffman's strong association with ensemble-driven, dialogue-heavy projects.

However, it was her iconic role as Lynette Scavo on "Desperate Housewives" (2004–2012) that propelled Huffman into international stardom. Portraying a working mother navigating the complexities of suburban life, Huffman's portrayal of Lynette was praised for its relatability, humor, and emotional range. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2005 and several Golden Globe nominations, firmly establishing her as one of the most respected actresses of her generation.

Beyond "Desperate Housewives," Huffman's film career flourished as well. In 2005, she starred in "Transamerica," playing Bree, a transgender woman in search of her son. Her nuanced, heartfelt performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, along with numerous other accolades. She continued to balance roles in both independent films and big-budget projects, including "Georgia Rule" (2007) and "Wild Oats" (2016), further demonstrating her versatility as an actress.

In addition to her acting career, Huffman has been involved in writing and producing. Alongside her husband, actor William H. Macy, Huffman co-authored "A Practical Handbook for the Boyfriend," a self-help book aimed at humorously guiding men in their relationships. Her personal and professional partnership with Macy has extended to their work on film projects like "Keep Coming Back" (1993), a drama where they starred together.

Huffman's career took a dramatic turn in 2019, when she became involved in the nationwide college admissions scandal. She pled guilty to paying a college admissions consultant to help her daughter cheat on the SAT, which led to her serving a brief prison sentence. This event sparked significant media attention and controversy, but Huffman has since worked to rebuild her career.

Despite this setback, Huffman continued to receive praise for her roles, including her portrayal in Ava DuVernay's "When They See Us" (2019), a powerful miniseries about the wrongful conviction of the Central Park Five. Her continued success in both television and film, along with her ability to navigate public challenges, cements her reputation as a resilient and accomplished figure in the entertainment industry.

Felicity Huffman Salary

At her peak of Desperate Housewives, Felicity Huffman was earning $275,000 per episode. She appeared in 180 episodes of Desperate Housewives.

Accolades

Felicity Huffman has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions throughout her career. In 1994-95, she won the OBIE Award for her standout performance as Donny in the off-Broadway production of "The Cryptogram." Her work in television has also garnered widespread acclaim, most notably for her role as Lynette Scavo on "Desperate Housewives." Huffman earned a Primetime Emmy Award in 2005 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, cementing her place as one of the top actresses of her generation. Additionally, she won two Screen Actors Guild Awards: one for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series and another as part of the Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series, shared with the cast of "Desperate Housewives."

Her powerful performance in "Transamerica" (2005) earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, highlighting her ability to take on challenging and transformative roles.

In 2009, Huffman and her husband, actor William H. Macy, were each honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a recognition many considered long overdue for the talented duo. Their stars marked a significant moment in their careers, further solidifying their legacies in Hollywood.

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Personal Life

Felicity and William H. Macy dated for 15 years before marrying in September 1997. They have two daughters, Sophia and Grace.

College Bribery Scandal

On March 12, 2019, Felicity Huffman was arrested by FBI agents in connection to a widespread college bribery scandal. Felicity allegedly paid a $15,000 bribe, disguised as a charitable donation, to have her daughter, Sophia's SAT test conducted by a tutor who altered the scores. The goal was to help Sophia get accepted into Georgetown University. Felicity was arrested in an early-morning raid at her Hollywood Hills mansion. She was released after posting a $250,000 bond.

When she was arrested, the FBI agreed to release her on bond after Felicity was able to show that she owns $20 million worth of real estate and has $4 million worth of liquid assets.

In May 2013, Felicity pleaded guilty to honest services fraud. In September 2019, she was sentenced to 14 days in jail and ordered to serve one year of supervised release, perform 250 hours of community service, and pay a $30,000 fine. She reported to a Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California, on October 15, 2019. She was released on October 25, 2019, two days early. No charges were ever filed against William H. Macy.

Just as the trial was unfolding, Felicity appeared in the Netflix series "When They See Us" as prosecutor Linda Fairstein. The series was filmed before the scandal. She did not appear in any films, television shows, or theater productions in 2020 or 2021.

$20 Million Real Estate Portfolio

In the fallout of their bribery scandal, it was revealed that Felicity and William owned $20 million worth of real estate at that point (March 2019).

The smallest property in their portfolio is a cabin in upstate Vermont near Macy's alma mater, Goddard College. He purchased the property in the 1980s, long before he ever met Felicity Huffman. Macy described the property in a 2006 article in The New York Times:

"My little cabin actually started as three cabins. They were part of a motel called Toy Town, and they sat out on Route 2 until Daphne, the woman I bought the place from, moved them. I hooked them together, so although the cabin is only about 400 square feet, it has about 12 roof lines. On one side of the largest cabin there was a little door that opened to a fuse box. I didn't have electricity, but I left the door there. One summer, for no good reason, I opened the door and a writhing mass of garter snakes fell out all over my feet. I jumped so high I left one of my shoes."

Director Paul Thomas Anderson wrote the script for Magnolia while he was staying at Macy's cabin. In fact, the film was inspired by those snakes, as once Anderson saw one, he was too scared to go outside.

The Macy-Huffman real estate portfolio also includes a 27-acre property in Little Woody Creek, just north of Aspen, Colorado. It is the site of Huffman's childhood home and where she and Macy were married. The original house that Huffman grew up in had to be demolished because it was not up to code. The couple had it rebuilt with modern upgrades, and the renovated home was the subject of a 2018 feature in Architectural Digest. The "old-new house", as the couple calls it, is the same basic structure as the one Huffman grew up in, just bigger and 100 feet to the left of its original location. Each of the five bedrooms has its own bathroom. Growing up, Huffman shared one bathroom with her six sisters. Today, this property is worth more than $10 million.

This wasn't the couple's first time in Architectural Digest. In 2000, the magazine profiled the completed restoration of the couple's Hancock Park area of Los Angeles home. They bought the 1920s Mediterranean-style home after getting married in 1997. They also own a small home in the Los Angeles suburb of Northridge.

When Desperate Housewives ended, Huffman and Macy purchased a 4,566 square foot, five-bedroom, three-bathroom home in the Outpost Estate neighborhood in Los Angeles. They bought the house next door to their Hollywood Hills home, which gave them a three-acre compound with two main houses. Huffman and Macy's home is valued at $4 million. The combined two lot compound is worth $8-10 million.

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