Jennifer Tilly's net worth: How did the Canadian actress make her money?
Jennifer Tilly is an American-Canadian actress and professional gamer. She is best known for her comedic timing and distinctive nasal voice, earning her Theatre World and Saturn Awards. With such a successful career, most of her fans are curious about her wealth. So, how much is Jennifer Tilly's net worth, and how did she earn her fortune? Explore more here.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jennifer Tilly's net worth is estimated at $40 million, and her estimated annual salary is about $10 million.
- Her wealth increased significantly after she made her career debut in 1983, starring in Oh Madeline.
- The actress has since been featured in more than 120 films and TV shows, including Made in America, Tideland, and Ray Meets Helen.
- Jennifer was married to The Simpsons co-creator and producer Sam Simon from 1984 to 1991.
Profile summary
| Full name | Jennifer Ellen Chan |
| Other names | Jennifer Tilly |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 16 September 1958 |
| Age | 67 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Current residence | Las Vegas and Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | American-Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Chinese-Canadian |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 141 lb (64 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-spouse | Sam Simon |
| Partner | Phil Laak |
| Father | Harry Chan |
| Mother | Patricia (née Tilly) |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Alma mater | Esquimalt High School and Stephens College |
| Profession | Actress and card game player |
| @jennifertilly | |
| X | @JenniferTilly |
Jennifer Tilly's net worth
Jennifer Ellen Chan, commonly known as Jennifer Tilly, has an estimated net worth of $40 million as of 2025. She has an alleged annual salary of $10 million. Her income primarily stems from her illustrious acting and gaming career.
How is Jennifer Tilly so rich?
Jennifer Tilly's wealth comes from her long-running career in media and the card gaming industry. Below is an exploration of her sources of wealth.
Source: Original
Acting career
With an acting career spanning over four decades, the American actress has starred in over 120 movies and television shows. Some of Jennifer Tilly's movies and TV shows are explored in the table below.
| Title | Year | Role |
| Family Guy | 1999-2025 | Bonnie Swanson (voice) |
| Chucky | 2021-2024 | Tiffany Valentine |
| Sallywood | 2024 | Joann |
| SpongeBob SquarePants | 2023 | Petunia (voice) |
| High Holiday | 2021 | Stephanie Corksey |
| 7 Days to Vegas | 2019 | Jennifer |
| Ray Meets Helen | 2017 | Ginger |
| Spun Out | 2015 | Maggie Felgate |
| Modern Family | 2011-2014 | Darlene |
| Return to Babylon | 2013 | Clara Bow |
| Amelia's 25th | 2013 | Miss Celie |
| Drop Dead Diva | 2011 | Ginny |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | 2010 | Terpsie Pratt |
| Empire of Silver | 2009 | Mrs. Landdeck |
| Inconceivable | 2008 | Salome 'Sally' Marsh |
How much does Jennifer Tilly make from The Simpsons?
Jennifer Tilly voiced only one episode of The Simpsons in 2012. From 1984 to 1991, the late Sam Simon was Jennifer Tilly's husband. Sam Simon was the co-creator and producer of The Simpsons.
Sam Simon and Jennifer Tilly officially divorced in 1993, citing irreconcilable differences. Although Sam only worked on the show's first four seasons, his backend equity points eventually generated huge royalties.
Simon died in 2015 after enjoying $20–30 million annually in Simpsons royalties in the last decade of his life. He donated most of these royalties to animal charity organisations.
Following Sam’s death, legal documents revealed that he left Tilly 30% of his Simpsons royalties in his will. This means that Jennifer Tilly's Simpsons money is about $10 million per year.
Fans have noted a reduction in Jennifer Tilly's movies and TV shows in recent years. Well, the fact that she receives hefty payments in royalties from The Simpsons means the actress can be a little more choosy with the acting roles she takes.
Source: Getty Images
Card game playing
Harry Chan, a used car salesman of Chinese descent and Jennifer Tilly’s father, was a gaming fanatic. Harry gifted his daughter with a video game of cards. When she moved to Los Angeles much later, a boyfriend taught her how to play real cards.
In June 2005, Jennifer Tilly won $158,625 and a World Series of Bracelet after competing in a Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold ‘em event.
In 2006, Tilly competed on GSN’s card royale series and came third on Bravo’s celebrity card game show. Her live tournament winnings exceeded $1 million years ago.
How does Jennifer Tilly spend her fortune?
Besides meeting her daily life expenses, Jennifer Tilly is known for spending money on the finer things in life. Below is a quick look at how the actress spends her money.
Source: Getty Images
Fashion, bags, and jewellery
The talented actress is known for splurging money on designer handbags and historical jewellery. She also has a penchant for high-end fashion.
Jennifer Tilly is a collector of historical jewellery. She owns a high number of designer pieces in her wardrobe.
Jennifer Tilly's homes
The actress owns two properties in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, right next to each other. She uses one house as a playhouse, where she entertains her friends and guests.
The American actress also owns a beach house in Malibu, California, United States. She said she and her partner seldom visit the property because it is haunted. Jennifer said:
I have a beach house in Malibu, but we never go there because there's a ghost there and he really doesn't like us being there. I can't blame him.
Jennifer added that she owns another property in Las Vegas, Nevada. She and her partner are professional card game players, so they often spend time in Las Vegas.
Source: Getty Images
How old is Jennifer Tilly?
Jennifer Tilly's age is 67 years as of 2025. She was born on 16 September 1958 in Harbor City, Los Angeles, California, United States, and her Zodiac sign is Virgo.
Family background
Jennifer Tilly is the first daughter of Harry Chan and Patricia. Harry worked as a car salesman, while Patricia was a school teacher and stage actress. Tilly has an older brother, Steve, and two younger sisters, Rebecca and Margaret Elizabeth.
Margaret Elizabeth Chan, alias Meg Tilly, is an actress who appeared as Chloe in the Oscar-winning film The Big Chill. Meg Tilly's net worth is estimated at $3 million. Meg is actor Will Firth's mother.
Educational background
The on-screen star attended Belmont Secondary School and graduated from Esquimalt High School. Jennifer Tilly proceeded to Stephens College in Missouri, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre.
Source: Getty Images
Who is Jennifer Tilly's partner?
Philip Courtney Laak has been Jennifer Tilly's partner since 2004. Phil Laak is an Irish-American professional card game player and commentator. His family moved to Wellesley, Massachusetts, when he was only four.
Phil Laak graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He and Antonio Esfandiari were once roommates. Today, Phil Laak and his partner are among the highest-paid players in card games.
Who are Jennifer Tilly's children?
Jennifer Tilly does not have biological children. During an episode of Sherri Shepherd's talk show, the actress said she chose to be childless. Tilly said:
I never ever wanted kids, and had sort of not a really great childhood and I felt like, 'Well, maybe I'll make the same mistakes my mother did.' I could see myself making those mistakes and I was like, you know what, sometimes I make bad choices and I didn't want to put my kids through that.
Source: Getty Images
How tall is Jennifer Tilly?
Jennifer Tilly's height is 5 ft 7 in or 170 cm. She weighs about 141 lb or 64 kg, and has black hair and dark brown eyes.
Trivia
- Jennifer Tilly believes she has a psychic ability that helps her in her card game playing career.
- She was most starstruck when I met Sharleen Joynt, an opera singer from The Bachelor.
- Fried chicken, biscuits, and cherry pie are her favourite cheat meals.
- On Saturday nights, Jennifer and Phil Laak build a fire, make popcorn, and watch a movie or television show.
- She was a rather shy child who would hyperventilate whenever she was asked to present a book report.
- Jennifer's first car was a ’69 Mustang.
Jennifer Tilly's net worth is about $40 million. She has made her fortune through acting and card game-playing. Additionally, the actress has made a significant amount through The Simpsons’ royalties.
Briefly.co.za recently published Karen Fairchild's net worth. Karen has an estimated fortune of between $10 million and $28 million from music and entrepreneurship.
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Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the Writer of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
