Jonathan Frakes Net Worth

What is Jonathan Frakes' net worth and salary?

Jonathan Frakes is an American actor, director, and author who has a net worth of $25 million. That is a combined net worth with his wife of more than three decades, actress Genie Francis. Francis is best known for playing Laura Spencer on the long-running daytime soap "General Hospital," a role she has portrayed on and off for more than 40 years. Frakes is best known for playing Commander William T. Riker on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a character that helped redefine the modern television sci-fi genre. He has appeared in multiple Star Trek series and films, and he later transitioned behind the camera to become one of the franchise's most trusted and prolific directors. Nicknamed "Two-Takes Frakes" for his efficiency on set, Jonathan has built a successful second career as a director on shows like "The Orville," "Leverage," "Burn Notice," and "NCIS: Los Angeles." With over four decades in the industry, Frakes has become both a fan-favorite performer and a respected creative force behind the scenes.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Jonathan Scott Frakes was born on August 19, 1952, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Bethlehem and graduated from Liberty High School, where he ran track and played in the school band. Inspired by his father's love of jazz, he began playing trombone at a young age. Frakes went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Penn State University and a Master of Fine Arts from Harvard's Institute for Advanced Theater Training.

In the 1970s, Frakes briefly worked for Marvel Comics, appearing at conventions in costume as Captain America. He joined the New York-based "Impossible Ragtime Theater" and began landing acting roles, including an off-Broadway appearance in Eugene O'Neill's "The Hairy Ape." During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Frakes built a steady résumé of television guest spots, including appearances on "The Waltons," "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Matlock," and "Hill Street Blues." In 1983, he landed a starring role in the short-lived NBC soap opera "Bare Essence."

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Star Trek

Frakes' breakthrough came in 1987 when he was cast as Commander William T. Riker in "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Despite knowing little about the original "Star Trek" series, he prepared diligently and ultimately brought gravitas and warmth to the role. Riker became a beloved character among fans, recognized for his strategic mind, charm, and signature "Riker sit."

Frakes appeared in all 176 episodes of the series, which ran until 1994, and reprised the role in several feature films including "Star Trek: Generations" (1994), "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996), "Star Trek: Insurrection" (1998), and "Star Trek: Nemesis" (2002). He remains one of only a few actors to appear in four separate Star Trek series: "The Next Generation," "Deep Space Nine," "Voyager," and "Enterprise." He most recently returned to the role in Paramount+'s "Star Trek: Picard."

Directing Career

Frakes began directing during his time on "The Next Generation," starting with the episode "The Offspring" in 1990. He went on to direct several more episodes, eventually helming episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager." In 1996, he made his feature film directorial debut with "Star Trek: First Contact," which became one of the most commercially and critically successful films in the franchise. He followed it with "Star Trek: Insurrection" in 1998.

Outside of Star Trek, Frakes has become a highly sought-after television director. His directing credits include episodes of "The Orville," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "The Librarians," "Leverage," "Burn Notice," and "Roswell." Known for running efficient sets and staying under budget, Frakes earned the affectionate nickname "Two-Takes Frakes" from cast and crew.

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Salaries and Earnings

By the late 1980s, Frakes was earning $45,000 per episode for "Star Trek: The Next Generation." By the show's final season, that figure had increased to approximately $100,000 per episode, which is roughly equivalent to $180,000 per episode today.

In film, Frakes earned $400,000 for "Star Trek: Generations" (1994) and $5 million for "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996), which he also directed. His behind-the-camera work has provided steady income across multiple high-profile projects, especially in the Star Trek universe.

Personal Life

Jonathan Frakes has been married to actress Genie Francis since 1988. The two met while filming the 1982 miniseries "Bare Essence." They have two children together. Frakes is a passionate advocate for various charitable causes, including organizations supporting cancer research, inspired by the loss of his older brother to pancreatic cancer in 1997.

Frakes is also known for his warm rapport with fans and frequent appearances at sci-fi conventions, where he speaks candidly about his time in the Star Trek franchise and his experiences as a director.

Real Estate

In 2017, Frakes and Francis purchased a home in Woodland Hills, California, for $2.8 million. They listed the property in 2019 for just under $4 million. The couple previously owned a large Colonial-style mansion in Beverly Hills, which they had for nearly 30 years before selling it in 2015 for $12 million.

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