Jennifer Esposito Net Worth

What Is Jennifer Esposito's Net Worth and Salary?

Jennifer Esposito is an American actress, writer, director, and producer who has a net worth of $1 million. If Jennifer Esposito's net worth appears lower than expected, a major factor is her decision to self-finance the 2023 film "Fresh Kills" using her personal savings and by mortgaging her roughly $1.5 million home in East Hampton. Despite earning strong critical praise, including a 90%+ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film generated only about $70,000 at the box office. In February 2026, Esposito revealed on social media that the financial fallout from the project ultimately forced her to sell her home. The property was listed as "Pending" a sale in February 2026. It had most recently been listed for $1.595 million. More info on her East Hampton home later in this article.

Jennifer Esposito first broke through in the late 1990s with scene-stealing supporting roles in films like "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" and Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam," where her naturalistic delivery and strong screen presence stood out in large ensemble casts. Around the same time, she became a familiar face in mainstream studio projects, including "The Bachelor" and the psychological thriller "Don't Say a Word." Her profile rose further with a supporting role in the Academy Award–winning ensemble drama "Crash," which brought her work to a broader adult audience.

Television has been a central pillar of Esposito's career. She gained early visibility as a series regular on the ABC sitcom "Spin City," followed by a lead role on the WB drama "Related," where she played one of four Italian American sisters navigating careers, relationships, and family obligations. Her most recognizable television role came as Detective Jackie Curatola on the long-running CBS police drama "Blue Bloods." Over multiple seasons, Esposito became a fan favorite, known for portraying a tough, emotionally complex character who balanced street-level realism with moral conviction. She later joined "NCIS: Los Angeles," a spin-off of "NCIS," continuing her run as a reliable presence in network procedurals.

In addition to acting, Esposito has pursued creative independence through writing, producing, and entrepreneurship. In 2023, she wrote, directed and starred in the film "Fresh Kills." She also self-financed the project by mortgaging her house. The movie has a 90%+ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

She published the memoir "Jennifer's Way," which detailed her personal and professional struggles surrounding a celiac disease diagnosis and helped establish her as an advocate for health awareness. In recent years, she has continued to balance acting roles with stage work, writing projects, and independent ventures, shaping a career defined less by fleeting stardom than by longevity, versatility, and creative control.

Early Life

Jennifer Esposito was born on April 11, 1973, in New York City. She is the daughter of interior decorator Phyllis Esposito and music producer Robert Esposito, and she has one older sister. Of Italian descent, Esposito was raised on Staten Island, where she developed an early interest in acting and performance. She attended Moore Catholic High School, graduating before pursuing professional opportunities in television and film in the mid-1990s.

Early Career and Breakthrough Roles

Esposito made her television debut in 1995 on the ABC soap opera "The City." Over the next several years, she built momentum through guest appearances on shows such as "Law & Order," "Feds," and "New York Undercover," while also taking roles in television movies and independent films. During this period, she appeared in projects including "The Sunshine Boys," "A Brother's Kiss," "Kiss Me, Guido," "A Brooklyn State of Mind," "No Looking Back," and "Side Streets," steadily establishing herself as a versatile supporting performer.

Her film profile rose significantly in the late 1990s when she co-starred with Denzel Washington in Spike Lee's sports drama "He Got Game." She followed that with prominent roles in the horror sequel "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" and Lee's crime epic "Summer of Sam." At the same time, Esposito gained mainstream television recognition as Stacey Paterno on the ABC sitcom "Spin City," a role she held from 1997 to 1999.

Film Career Expansion

Throughout the early and mid-2000s, Esposito maintained a busy film schedule, appearing in a wide range of genres. Her credits from this period include "Dracula 2000," "Made," "Don't Say a Word," "Welcome to Collinwood," "The Master of Disguise," "Breakin' All the Rules," "Taxi," and "Jesus, Mary and Joey." In 2004, she played Ria in the ensemble drama "Crash," which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and remains one of the most notable films of her career.

She continued appearing regularly in films over the following decade, including "Conspiracy," "American Crude," "Mamitas," "Bending the Rules," "Speed Kills," "Mob Town," "Mary," and "Somewhere in Queens," as well as the 2014 comedy "She's Funny That Way," in which she co-starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Kathryn Hahn, and Will Forte.

Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images

Television Success and Procedural Work

Television remained a central pillar of Esposito's career. After her run on "Spin City," she returned in recurring roles on "Judging Amy," "Rescue Me," and The WB drama "Related." She later joined the ABC sitcom "Samantha Who?" where she played Andrea Belladonna across multiple seasons.

Esposito's most widely recognized television role came in 2010 when she was cast as Detective Jackie Curatola on the CBS police procedural "Blue Bloods." Her performance made her a fan favorite and solidified her standing as a reliable lead in network dramas. During this period, she also voiced Tina Russo on the animated series "The Looney Tunes Show."

Following her departure from "Blue Bloods," Esposito continued working steadily in television, with roles on "Taxi Brooklyn," "Mistresses," and the Showtime drama "The Affair." From 2016 to 2017, she portrayed NCIS Special Agent Alexandra "Alex" Quinn on "NCIS." She later appeared in recurring roles on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," the Amazon Prime Video series "The Boys," and Comedy Central's "Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens."

(Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)

Personal Life & Health Advocacy

Jennifer married actor Bradley Cooper in the South of France on December 30, 2006, and they divorced in November 2007. Esposito became engaged to Mark Philippoussis, an Australian tennis player, in 2009, but they split up the following year. Jennifer wed British model Louis Dowler on November 16, 2014, and after they divorced in March 2016, she married fitness trainer Jesper Vesterstrøm on September 13, 2020.

Esposito has been open about living with celiac disease, a diagnosis that has significantly shaped her personal and professional life. In 2014, she published the book "Jennifer's Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease—What Doctors Don't Tell You and How You Can Learn to Live Again," detailing her experience navigating the condition. She later opened a gluten-free bakery, Jennifer's Way, in Manhattan, and released the cookbook "Jennifer's Way Kitchen: Easy Allergen-Free, Anti-Inflammatory Recipes for a Delicious Life."

During the third season of "Blue Bloods," Esposito collapsed on set, leading to her celiac diagnosis. When her doctor recommended a reduced work schedule, the show's producers ultimately wrote her out rather than accommodate her health needs. Since then, Esposito has become an outspoken advocate for gluten-free living and health awareness, including serving as a brand ambassador for the gluten-free, vegan body care line Éclair Naturals.

Awards and Nominations

Esposito and her "Crash" co-stars won Best Ensemble awards from the Awards Circuit Community Awards, Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, Gold Derby Awards, Hollywood Film Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and received a nomination from the Gotham Awards. In 2012, Jennifer and her "The Looney Tunes Show" castmates earned a Behind the Voice Actors Award nomination for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series.

Real Estate

In May 2017, Jennifer Esposito paid $594,000 for a modest 1,200-square-foot home in East Hampton, New York. The property drew attention in 2018 after Esposito reportedly sued a contractor, alleging faulty renovation work that caused significant damage to newly installed hardwood floors and led to mold issues inside the home.

In later years, the house took on greater significance when Esposito revealed that she had mortgaged the property to help finance her directorial debut film, "Fresh Kills." In November 2025, the East Hampton home was listed for sale at $1.595 million. By February 2026, the listing status had changed to "Pending," indicating the property was under contract amid her efforts to stabilize her finances following the film's release.

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