Cristela Alonzo Net Worth

What is Cristela Alonzo's net worth?

Cristela Alonzo is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer who has a net worth of $4 million. Cristela Alonzo became a trailblazer in entertainment by creating, writing, and starring in her own network sitcom, "Cristela." When the show premiered on ABC in 2014, she made history as the first Latina to create, produce, and star in her own primetime comedy series in the United States. Known for her sharp wit, observational humor, and candid reflections on culture, family, and identity, Alonzo has built a career that spans stand-up comedy, television, film, voice acting, authorship, and activism. Her comedy blends vulnerability and humor in a way that connects deeply with audiences across backgrounds, often tackling issues of class, poverty, and representation. In 2025, she released her Netflix special, "Upper Classy," a milestone project that capped a trilogy of stand-up specials chronicling her life journey from poverty to self-sufficiency.

Early Life

Cristela Alonzo was born on January 6, 1979, in San Juan, Texas, the youngest of four children. Raised in a working-class, single-parent household, she grew up in poverty, at one point living with her family in an abandoned diner. Her mother, who immigrated from Mexico, instilled in her children the values of hard work, resilience, and pride in their heritage. These early struggles and triumphs became central to Alonzo's comedic voice, fueling her determination to tell stories that reflected her reality and the broader Mexican-American experience.

Stand-Up Career

Alonzo began performing stand-up in Dallas before moving to Los Angeles to pursue comedy full-time. Her early sets drew heavily from her upbringing on the Texas border, blending cultural commentary with family anecdotes. She built her reputation on the comedy circuit and gained national exposure through appearances on shows like "Last Comic Standing." By 2017, she debuted her first Netflix special, "Lower Classy," which explored her childhood and family dynamics.

She followed with "Middle Classy" in 2022, where she examined the surreal transition of having just enough success to enjoy modest luxuries, such as health insurance, that once seemed unattainable. In 2025, she released "Upper Classy," completing a trilogy of specials documenting her personal and financial ascent. More vulnerable and political than its predecessors, the special reflected on immigrant life, pandemic scars, and the challenge of learning to live joyfully after decades in survival mode.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

"Cristela" and Breakthrough

Alonzo made television history with "Cristela," a 2014 ABC sitcom inspired by her own life. She served as creator, writer, executive producer, and star, breaking new ground for Latino representation on network television. The series followed a Mexican-American woman pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer while balancing family obligations. Though it lasted just one season, "Cristela" made a lasting cultural impact and remains a milestone in the push for diversity in Hollywood.

Film and Television Roles

In addition to her own show, Alonzo has appeared on programs such as "Grey's Anatomy" and "The View," where she occasionally filled in as a guest host. She voiced the spirited race car Cruz Ramirez in Pixar's "Cars 3" (2017), a role that introduced her to a global audience. She has also been a fixture on comedy stages nationwide, headlining tours and developing material that blends humor with sharp social critique.

Writing and Advocacy

In 2019, Alonzo published her memoir, "Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up," which combined personal stories with reflections on resilience, identity, and representation. She has also become an outspoken advocate for immigrant rights and Latino visibility in entertainment. Inspired by her friendship with labor leader Dolores Huerta, Alonzo has used her comedy to raise funds for immigrant advocacy groups, notably through her "Room Temperature" benefit shows. She often stresses the importance of giving voice to communities that are frequently spoken about but rarely spoken to.

Perspective and Outlook

Alonzo often describes herself as the matriarch of her family, not because of age but because she organizes shared experiences such as family vacations and provides support in ways that reflect her success. She has emphasized the importance of balancing hard work with self-care and joy, an idea central to "Upper Classy." For her, milestones like traveling, taking on new hobbies, or simply having the freedom to put bills on autopay are triumphs that reflect how far she has come from her childhood in Texas.

Who's Richer?

Cristela
Alonzo

Compare!

Lea
DeLaria