What is Jennette McCurdy net worth today? After stepping away from the acting career that made her a household name, many wonder how the former iCarly star maintains her financial standing.
Jennette McCurdy has successfully transitioned from a beloved child actress to a bestselling author, building a surprising and resilient financial portfolio along the way. As of 2024, Jennette McCurdy’s net worth is estimated at $3.5 million, a testament to her savvy career moves and diversified income streams beyond Hollywood.
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The iCarly Years: Building a Financial Foundation
Jennette McCurdy’s breakthrough role as the sharp-tongued and rebellious Sam Puckett on Nickelodeon’s hit show iCarly laid the groundwork for her financial success. For her work on the series, which aired for 97 episodes between 2007 and 2012, McCurdy earned a substantial salary of $50,000 per episode.
This consistent income from a highly popular show was the primary driver of her early wealth accumulation. Following the success of iCarly, she reprised her role in the spin-off series Sam & Cat, which ran for 35 episodes.
While this added to her earnings, McCurdy has been open about the fact that, unlike many network television actors, she does not receive any residuals from her time on Nickelodeon. This means she doesn’t get paid when reruns of iCarly or Sam & Cat air, making her current financial independence from acting even more impressive.
Beyond Acting: Early Career and Other Roles
Long before she became a Nickelodeon icon, Jennette McCurdy began her journey in Hollywood at the young age of eight. She made guest appearances in a variety of popular television shows, including Malcolm in the Middle and Zoey 101, slowly building her resume and industry experience.
Her early career also included roles in films like Hollywood Homicide, where she acted alongside Harrison Ford. In addition to acting, McCurdy pursued a music career, releasing her debut EP, Not That Far Away, in 2010.
The EP performed well, reaching number three on the Top Heatseekers chart and number 32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. She followed this with a self-titled album in 2012, with her single “Generation Love” peaking at number 44 on the Hot Country Songs chart. These ventures, while not as lucrative as her acting roles, contributed to her overall net worth and demonstrated her diverse talents.
Why Jennette McCurdy Quit Acting
Despite her success, Jennette McCurdy’s relationship with acting was fraught with emotional turmoil, largely due to her mother’s influence. McCurdy has revealed that her mother pushed her into acting at the age of six as a means of financial support for their family, which struggled with money.
This pressure to perform, combined with a toxic work environment allegedly created by iCarly producer Dan Schneider, took a severe toll on her mental health. McCurdy has been candid about her struggles with an eating disorder that began at age 11, which she attributes to the pressures of Hollywood and her mother’s encouragement to remain physically small for her age to book more roles.
The turning point for McCurdy came after her mother’s death in 2013. Freed from her mother’s expectations, she decided to step away from acting, a career she felt unfulfilled by and ashamed of. She has stated that she resents her career in many ways and felt that the roles she played did not align with her true self.
From Actress to Bestselling Author
In a remarkable career pivot, Jennette McCurdy has reinvented herself as a successful writer. Her most notable achievement is her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. The book, with its provocative title and raw honesty, became an instant bestseller, resonating with readers worldwide.
It delves into her traumatic childhood, her complicated relationship with her mother, and her struggles with eating disorders and mental health. The success of her memoir led to a lucrative seven-figure, two-book deal in 2022, solidifying her new career path as an author.
This deal, along with the ongoing royalties from her bestselling memoir, has become a primary source of her income, proving that her decision to leave acting was not only personally fulfilling but also financially sound. Before her memoir, McCurdy had already begun to explore her passion for writing and directing, creating short films such as 8 Bodies and Kenny.
Current Income Sources and Career
With her acting career behind her, Jennette McCurdy has cultivated a diverse portfolio of income streams that sustain her $3.5 million net worth. Her primary source of revenue is now her writing career, driven by the phenomenal success of her memoir and her subsequent multi-book deal.
The consistent income from book sales and royalties has provided her with a level of financial stability that she now controls. In addition to her work as an author, McCurdy hosts the podcast Hard Feelings in partnership with Lemonade Media, which generates income through advertisements.
She also has a deal with Canvas Media Studios for scripted projects, allowing her to continue her creative work behind the camera. These ventures, combined with her past earnings, have allowed her to build a comfortable life for herself, free from the pressures of Hollywood stardom.
Jennette McCurdy Net Worth: The Bottom Line
Jennette McCurdy’s journey from a child star under immense pressure to an independent and successful author is nothing short of inspiring. Her estimated net worth of $3.5 million is a testament to her resilience and ability to redefine her career on her own terms.
While her early wealth was built on her acting roles, particularly in iCarly, her current financial success is largely driven by her writing. By taking control of her narrative and pursuing her passion for writing, McCurdy has not only found personal fulfillment but has also created a sustainable and lucrative career for herself.
Her story is a powerful example of how it is possible to walk away from a path that no longer serves you and find even greater success in a new direction. As she continues to write and create, Jennette McCurdy’s net worth is likely to grow, but more importantly, she has built a life that is authentically her own.
