Dave Barry Net Worth

What is Dave Barry's net worth?

Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist, columnist, and bestselling author who has a net worth of $6 million. Known for his sharp wit, observational comedy, and satirical take on everyday life, Dave Barry gained national recognition through his long-running syndicated newspaper column, which ran from 1983 to 2005 and reached hundreds of newspapers across the country. His columns skewered everything from politics and parenthood to technology and toilet paper, with a style that combined absurdity, intelligence, and the occasional explosion. In addition to his column, Barry is the author of more than 30 books, including humor collections, novels, and children's series. Many of his books, such as "Dave Barry Turns 40," "Dave Barry's Guide to Marriage and/or Sex," and "Big Trouble," became bestsellers. His work has been adapted for television and film, and he has been a cultural staple for generations of readers who appreciated his ability to make the mundane hilarious.

Early Life

David McAlister Barry was born on July 3, 1947, in Armonk, New York. He attended Pleasantville High School and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Haverford College in Pennsylvania in 1969. After college, Barry began his career as a reporter and gradually found his voice as a humorist while working for various newspapers. His first major break came in the 1980s when he joined the Miami Herald, where his syndicated humor column would eventually make him a household name.

Newspaper Column and Pulitzer Prize

Barry began writing his humor column for the Miami Herald in 1983. The column quickly gained a national following for its irreverent tone and absurdist humor. Barry frequently tackled modern life's trivialities—ranging from leaf blowers and airline food to fax machines and parenting disasters—with over-the-top metaphors, comic exaggerations, and a distinctive voice that became instantly recognizable.

In 1988, Barry won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his "consistently effective use of humor as a device for presenting fresh insights into serious concerns." Despite the lofty recognition, Barry remained committed to writing about exploding toilets and yard tools with equal gusto. He officially retired his weekly column in 2005 but continues to write occasional pieces and remains active as an author and speaker.

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Books and Novels

Barry is the author of more than 30 books, many of which have appeared on bestseller lists. His nonfiction works include humor collections like "Dave Barry's Greatest Hits," "Dave Barry Is Not Taking This Sitting Down," and "I'll Mature When I'm Dead." His writing often blurs the line between truth and exaggeration, filled with mock guides on everything from parenting to aging.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Barry ventured into fiction. His first novel, "Big Trouble" (1999), was a comic crime caper set in Miami that was adapted into a feature film in 2002 starring Tim Allen and Rene Russo. He followed that with novels such as "Tricky Business" and co-authored several books with fellow humorist Ridley Pearson, including the popular "Peter and the Starcatchers" series—a prequel to the Peter Pan story—which became a bestselling children's series and inspired a Tony Award-winning Broadway play.

Television and Other Media

Barry's work has been adapted for television multiple times. In the early 1990s, CBS aired the sitcom "Dave's World," based on his columns and books. The show starred Harry Anderson as a fictionalized version of Barry and ran for four seasons from 1993 to 1997.

He has also been a frequent guest on talk shows and panel discussions, and he played himself in cameo roles in various productions, often lampooning his public persona. In addition to his writing, Barry is a guitarist and plays in a rock band called The Rock Bottom Remainders, which includes other authors such as Stephen King and Amy Tan.

Personal Life

Dave has been married three times. His first marriage was to Lois Ann Shelnutt. In 1976, he married Beth Lenox. They met on their first day of work at the Daily Local News. They welcomed a son named Robert in 1980 and divorced in 1993. In 1996, Dave married Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman. They welcomed a daughter named Sophie in 2000.

Real Estate

In 2000, Dave and Michelle paid $760,000 for a home in Coral Gables, Florida. Today, this home is worth around $3.5 million.

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