Michael Richards is an American actor, comedian, and writer best known for his role as Cosmo Kramer in the hit sitcom Seinfeld. Through his successful television and stand-up comedy career, Richards has amassed a sizable personal fortune. Let's take a look at Michael Richards Net Worth 2022.

Michael Richards Net Worth 2022:

Michael Richards' Net Worth 2022 is estimated to be $30 million. His fortune is primarily the result of his iconic Seinfeld role and savvy real estate investments over his decades-long career.

Michael Richards' Early Life and Career

Michael had a difficult childhood, as his mother died when he was two, and his father and relatives raised him. He also had trouble with the law and was arrested several times for drug dealing and robbery. He served in the Army for two years during the Vietnam War and then pursued his education and interest in drama. He graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1975 with a BA in drama.

Michael Richards started his career as a stand-up comedian, performing in clubs and on TV shows. He got his first big break in 1979 when he appeared on Billy Crystal's first cable TV special. He then joined the cast of ABC's "Fridays," a sketch comedy show, where he met Larry David, who would later co-create "Seinfeld".

Rise to Fame and Fortune with "Seinfeld"

Michael Richards' most famous and successful role was as Cosmo Kramer, the eccentric and hilarious neighbor of Jerry Seinfeld, on the NBC sitcom "Seinfeld". The show, which ran from 1989 to 1998, was created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David and became one of the most popular and acclaimed sitcoms of all time.

Michael Richards reportedly earned $150,000 per episode for the first five seasons of "Seinfeld" and $600,000 per episode for the last four seasons. He also received a share of the syndication and DVD royalties, which amounted to millions of dollars over the years. According to Forbes2, Michael Richards earned $45 million in 1998, making him the second highest-paid TV actor of the year, behind Jerry Seinfeld. He also earned $20 million in 2004 and $9 million in 2005 from the syndication and DVD deals.

Michael Richards' Post-"Seinfeld" Projects

After the end of "Seinfeld" in 1998, Michael Richards continued to work in the entertainment industry, but with less success and more controversy. He starred in his own sitcom, "The Michael Richards Show", in 2000, but it was canceled after one season due to poor ratings and reviews. He also appeared in movies like "Trial and Error", "Bee Movie", and "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee". He also returned to stand-up comedy but faced a major backlash in 2006 when he went on a racist rant against hecklers at a comedy club. He later apologized for his behavior and said he was not a racist, but the incident damaged his reputation and career.

Conclusion

Through his long career in television and comedy, Michael Richards Net Worth 2022 is at $30 million as of 2023. While he faced setbacks, his role on Seinfeld remains his most defining and lucrative work to date. Richards continues to perform occasionally while enjoying his wealth through real estate investments.