Dana Carvey Net Worth

What Is Dana Carvey's Net Worth and Salary?

Dana Carvey is an American actor and stand-up comedian who has a net worth of $20 million. Dana Carvey rose to national fame in the late 1980s as a cast member on "SNL," where his talent for impressions and quirky characters made him one of the show's breakout stars. Carvey's most memorable SNL creations included the Church Lady, Hans (of Hans and Franz), and his spot-on impressions of George H. W. Bush, Ross Perot, and Johnny Carson. His comedic timing and versatility earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and several additional nominations.

Prior to "SNL," Carvey appeared in supporting roles in films like "This Is Spinal Tap" and "Racing with the Moon" and had a short-lived sitcom role in "One of the Boys." But it was "SNL" that truly launched his career, and by the early 1990s, he was a household name. Carvey co-starred with Mike Myers in "Wayne's World" (1992) and its sequel (1993), both box office hits that cemented his place in pop culture.

Carvey stepped back from the spotlight in the late 1990s to focus on his family, although he continued doing voice work, stand-up, and occasional acting roles. He starred in the 2002 film "The Master of Disguise," which was a critical flop but gained a cult following. In later years, Carvey found renewed popularity through podcasting, guest appearances, and his Netflix special "Straight White Male, 60." He also co-hosts the podcast "Fly on the Wall" with fellow SNL alum David Spade.

Early Life

Dana Thomas Carvey was born on June 2, 1955, in Missoula, Montana. Raised in a Lutheran household alongside four siblings, Dana moved to San Carlos, California, at the age of three. His brother Brad designed the Video Toaster, a type of video editing/production software and hardware. Brad also provided visual effects work for a number of movies, including "Men in Black" and "Black Hawk Down." Dana would later base the character of "Garth" in "Wayne's World" on his older, nerdy brother Brad.

While growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dana was given a drum kit at an early age and started practicing. While attending high school, he became a member of the Central Coast Section champion cross-country team. After graduating, Carvey enrolled at the College of San Mateo. He then transferred to San Francisco State University, earning his bachelor's degree in broadcast communications.

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Career

Dana Carvey began his career as a stand-up comedian in the mid-1970s and quickly gained recognition when he won the prestigious San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition in 1977. His early screen appearances came in the 1980s, including a minor role in "Halloween II" and a more substantial part in the short-lived NBC sitcom "One of the Boys" alongside Mickey Rooney, Nathan Lane, and Meg Ryan. He also had a small role in the 1984 cult classic "This Is Spinal Tap" and later appeared in the TV adaptation of "Blue Thunder," which also had a brief run.

Carvey's breakout came in 1986 with the film "Tough Guys," where he starred alongside Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster. That same year, he declined game show hosting offers and instead joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live." His arrival helped revitalize the show during a period of declining ratings. Carvey became one of the most celebrated cast members of the era, known for creating enduring characters like the Church Lady, Hans (of Hans and Franz), and Garth Algar, as well as for his impressions of public figures including George H. W. Bush, Ross Perot, and Johnny Carson.

In 1992, Carvey co-starred with Mike Myers in "Wayne's World," reprising his role as Garth on the big screen. The film was a massive hit and spawned a successful sequel, "Wayne's World 2," released in 1993. At the height of his fame, Carvey stepped back from high-profile opportunities—including a leading role in "Bad Boys"—to spend more time with his family.

He continued to take on selected roles, including the lead in the 1994 comedy "Clean Slate" and his own primetime sketch series, "The Dana Carvey Show," in 1996. Though short-lived, the show became notable in hindsight for launching the careers of Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert. Carvey also appeared in Adam Sandler's "Little Nicky" in 2000.

In 2002, Carvey returned to the big screen with "The Master of Disguise," a family-friendly comedy that he co-wrote and starred in. While the film was panned by critics and struggled at the box office, it developed a cult following over time, especially among younger audiences. Following the film's release, Carvey largely stepped away from Hollywood, choosing to focus on raising his children and returning to his roots in stand-up comedy.

He made occasional appearances throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including a role in the 2011 Adam Sandler comedy "Jack and Jill," as well as guest spots on late-night shows and comedy specials. In 2016, he released the Netflix stand-up special "Straight White Male, 60," which was well received by fans and critics alike. In 2022, Carvey teamed up with David Spade to launch the popular podcast "Fly on the Wall," which features behind-the-scenes stories from "Saturday Night Live" and interviews with comedy legends, marking a fresh chapter in his enduring comedy career.

Fly on the Wall

In 2022, Dana Carvey teamed up with fellow "SNL" alum David Spade to launch the podcast "Fly on the Wall," a behind-the-scenes look at the history, culture, and personalities of "Saturday Night Live." Each episode features interviews with former cast members, hosts, writers, and crew, offering candid stories and reflections on the show's legendary sketches and backstage moments. Carvey and Spade bring their signature humor and chemistry to the series, making it both insightful and entertaining. The podcast quickly became a hit with fans of comedy and SNL, helping reintroduce Carvey to a new generation of listeners.

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Relationships

In 1979, Dana Carvey married his childhood sweetheart, Leah. During their marriage, Dana developed romantic feelings for another woman, Paula Zwagerman. As a result of this new relationship, Carvey and Leah divorced in 1980, just one year after their marriage. Dana then became engaged to Paula, and they married in 1983. Over the course of their relationship, Paula and Dana had two children together.

Medical Issues

Dana had heart bypass surgery in 1997 for a blocked coronary artery, but unfortunately, the procedure did not go as planned. The surgeon mistakenly operated on the wrong artery, as the blocked coronary artery was hidden behind a muscle mass. Because of this botched surgery, Carvey continued to suffer from angina pectoris long after the surgery. Eventually, he sued for medical malpractice and was awarded $8 million in damages.

He subsequently donated this money to charity. Over the next few years, Dana continued to suffer from heart problems, and he required additional procedures to correct these issues. When he was in the hospital for his final angioplasty, Frank Sinatra died in the hospital room adjacent to his.

(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Real Estate

In 1999, it was reported that Dana Carvey paid $3.75 million for a property in Ross, a town in Northern California's Marin County. Adjusting for inflation, that's almost $6 million in today's money. Architect Gardiner Dailey and landscape artist Thomas Church both had a hand in the property's creation. It's actually unclear if this purchase officially ended up closing. Real estate records on the property today show that it was sold in 1983 for $800,000 and then again in 2003 for $5.4 million. Dana's name does not appear on the ownership records, though he may have purchased through a trust.

It is known that Dana, in 1993, and his wife paid $1.6 million for a home in Mill Valley, California. They continue to own this home today, and it's now worth $6-7 million. They made it available as a rental for $17,000 per month in September 2024.

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