Few shows in television history have minted as much long-term wealth as The Simpsons. Since its debut in 1989, the animated juggernaut has aired over 750 episodes, generated billions in revenue, and made its voice cast some of the highest-paid performers in entertainment. Yet, while all of Springfield’s voices are financially comfortable, their fortunes vary widely — shaped by contracts, negotiations, and career choices beyond the yellow universe.
What makes The Simpsons fascinating from a financial standpoint is that its voice actors became millionaires not through flashy celebrity branding, but through consistent pay raises and syndication leverage. Each major cast member’s journey is a case study in timing, persistence, and profit-sharing — showing how animation can quietly outperform live-action in the wealth game.
6. Nancy Cartwright
Nancy Cartwright, the voice behind Bart Simpson, holds an estimated net worth of around $80 million. As one of the longest-tenured voice actors on record, Cartwright’s fortune grew alongside the show’s cultural dominance. Her salary eventually climbed to over $400,000 per episode, matching her co-stars after contract renegotiations. Beyond The Simpsons, she’s also lent her voice to Rugrats, Kim Possible, and multiple Disney projects.
What sets Cartwright apart is her longevity and savvy brand extensions. She’s published a bestselling memoir (My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy), runs a production company, and invests in real estate. Her wealth isn’t just built on Bart’s rebellion — it’s a testament to understanding intellectual property’s compounding value over decades.
5. Yeardley Smith
Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson, has accumulated an estimated $85 million fortune. Her journey reflects both dedication and diversification. While her main income remains tied to The Simpsons, Smith leveraged her stability into producing and podcasting ventures, including her acclaimed true-crime series Small Town Dicks.
Her financial success shows how even a single, steady role can yield massive returns with disciplined contract negotiations. Smith reportedly earns over $300,000 per episode, plus residuals and merchandising shares. Unlike many stars who fade after their signature role, Smith transformed one voice into a lifelong business — a rare mix of artistic and financial precision.
4. Dan Castellaneta
Dan Castellaneta, best known as the voice of Homer Simpson, commands an estimated net worth of $95 million. As the show’s lead, his salary peaked at $400,000 per episode, supplemented by royalties and public appearances. Castellaneta’s range extends far beyond Homer — he also voices Krusty the Clown, Barney, Groundskeeper Willie, and several others, making him one of the highest-paid multi-character performers in animation history.
Beyond voice acting, Castellaneta writes, produces, and occasionally performs live, but his fortune is primarily fueled by The Simpsons’ global success. His career demonstrates the compounding power of consistency — earning not from volume of roles, but the cultural immortality of one perfectly executed one.
3. Julie Kavner
Julie Kavner, the voice of Marge Simpson, is estimated to have a net worth of around $100 million. A former Rhoda cast member before The Simpsons, Kavner was already respected in Hollywood when she took the role in 1989. Her earnings grew steadily with the show’s meteoric rise, as she negotiated alongside the core ensemble.
Kavner’s finances are understated yet formidable. She avoids publicity and rarely takes outside projects, relying almost entirely on The Simpsons and its residual empire. Her wealth underscores the value of restraint: a single defining role, performed consistently for over three decades, can yield fortunes that rival blockbuster film stars.
2. Hank Azaria
Hank Azaria sits near the top of the Springfield salary scale, with an estimated net worth of about $120 million. His earnings stem not just from voicing Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, and Apu, but also from live-action acting (The Birdcage, Friends, Brockmire) and producing. Azaria’s versatility across genres — from comedy to drama — has kept his income streams active beyond animation.
He reportedly earned the same per-episode rate as his peers but multiplied his income through multiple voices and external film/TV contracts. Azaria’s path illustrates how expanding skill sets beyond a hit franchise can significantly amplify long-term wealth.
1. Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer tops the ranking with an estimated net worth of around $250 million. Known for voicing Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, and dozens more, Shearer’s versatility has been indispensable to The Simpsons’ identity. His early contract negotiations helped set the precedent for equal pay among the cast — a move that paid off immensely as the show entered syndication and streaming.
Outside of Springfield, Shearer built a multifaceted empire as a writer, musician, and satirist. He’s released albums, hosted radio shows, and directed documentaries. His immense fortune proves that controlling your craft — and protecting your rights within it — can transform voice work into generational wealth.
Together, these fortunes reveal that The Simpsons isn’t just television — it’s a financial institution. From Cartwright’s entrepreneurial flair to Shearer’s shrewd ownership mindset, the show’s cast turned their voices into enduring assets. For over 35 years, they’ve proven that animation’s true power lies not in color or comedy — but in the contracts behind the microphone.
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