Stephen Colletti Net Worth

What is Stephen Colletti's Net Worth?

Stephen Colletti is an American actor and reality TV star who has a net worth of $1 million.

Stephen Colletti first captured public attention as a cast member on MTV's groundbreaking reality series "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" in 2004, where his role in the show's defining love triangle made him one of its most recognizable personalities. Rather than fading after reality TV, Colletti successfully transitioned into scripted entertainment, building a steady acting career highlighted by his long-running role on The CW's "One Tree Hill." Over time, he expanded into producing, writing, and digital media, co-creating an independent comedy series and later tapping into nostalgia-driven content with a successful podcast revisiting his early fame. His career represents one of the more durable post-reality TV trajectories, blending acting, content creation, and selective returns to unscripted television. More than two decades after his debut, Colletti remains closely tied to the cultural legacy of "Laguna Beach" while continuing to evolve professionally across multiple platforms.

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Stephen August Colletti was born on February 7, 1986, in Newport Beach, California, and grew up in the affluent coastal communities of Orange County.

He rose to national fame in 2004 as an original cast member on MTV's "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," appearing alongside Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, Lo Bosworth, and Talan Torriero. On the show, Colletti was portrayed as the quintessential "boy-next-door," known for his laid-back surfer charm and easygoing personality.

His storyline centered on the show's most iconic narrative: a highly publicized love triangle involving his high school girlfriend, Kristin Cavallari, and his close friend Lauren Conrad. The dynamic became the emotional backbone of the series and helped turn "Laguna Beach" into a defining early-2000s reality TV phenomenon.

Colletti appeared in the first two seasons before opting out of the third, choosing to step away at a time when the show's popularity was still surging.

Getty Images

Transition to Acting and MTV Work

After leaving "Laguna Beach," Colletti briefly attended San Francisco State University before committing to an acting career. He remained connected to MTV during this transition, working as a VJ on "Total Request Live," which kept him visible while he pursued more traditional entertainment opportunities.

Determined to move beyond his reality TV image, he enrolled in acting classes and began auditioning for roles, positioning himself for a more sustainable career in scripted television.

Acting Career and Producing

Colletti's breakthrough came in 2007 when he was cast as Chase Adams on The CW's "One Tree Hill." Initially brought in for a short four-episode arc, his performance resonated with both producers and audiences, leading to an expanded role. He ultimately appeared in 57 episodes and remained with the series until its conclusion in 2012.

The role established him as a legitimate actor and helped him successfully shed his reality TV label. During and after this period, he continued to build his résumé with appearances in projects such as "Normal Adolescent Behavior," "What We Became," "Kill Katie Malone," "All About Christmas Eve," "Status: Unknown," and "Hit the Floor," where he played Teddy Reynolds.

He also appeared as the love interest in Taylor Swift's 2009 music video for "White Horse," further expanding his mainstream visibility.

Beyond acting, Colletti moved into creating and producing. Alongside his "One Tree Hill" co-star James Lafferty, he co-created, wrote, produced, and starred in the comedy series "Everyone Is Doing Great." The show, which follows two actors struggling to redefine their careers after a hit TV series ends, debuted on Hulu in 2021 and ran for two seasons.

Podcasting and Media Ventures

In 2022, Colletti leaned into early-2000s nostalgia by launching the podcast "Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen" alongside Kristin Cavallari. Produced under the Dear Media network, the show revisits episodes of "Laguna Beach" with behind-the-scenes commentary and reflections on how the series was made.

The podcast became a natural extension of his legacy, allowing him to reconnect with audiences who grew up watching the show while offering new context on its production and cultural impact.

Return to Reality TV and Reunion Projects

More than two decades after his debut, Colletti has selectively returned to reality television.

In early 2026, he appeared as a contestant on Season 4 of Peacock's "The Traitors," a competition series centered on strategy, deception, and social gameplay among reality stars and celebrities.

He is also a central figure in "The Reunion: Laguna Beach," a 20-year retrospective special streaming on The Roku Channel in April 2026. In addition to appearing on camera, Colletti serves as an executive producer, reflecting his expanded role behind the scenes and his continued connection to the franchise that launched his career.

Personal Life

Colletti's personal life has long attracted public attention, beginning with his high school relationships with Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad, which played out on television. In later years, he was also linked to actresses including Hayden Panettiere and Chelsea Kane.

After stepping away from the spotlight in his personal life, he began dating NASCAR host and reporter Alex Weaver in 2021. The couple became engaged in November 2023 during a trip to Rome and were married in an intimate courthouse ceremony on October 3, 2025.

In January 2026, Colletti and Weaver announced that they are expecting their first child together, marking a new chapter as he balances family life with his ongoing work in entertainment and media.

Who's Richer?

Stephen
Colletti

Compare!

Kristin
Cavallari