Jennifer Tilly's net worth: How did the Canadian actress make her money?

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.

Jennifer Tilly attends Elton John AIDS Foundation's 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party, and she attends "Chucky" Season 2 Premiere
Jennifer Tilly attends Elton John AIDS Foundation's Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party (L), and she attends "Chucky" Season 2 premiere (R). Photo: Jerod Harris, Santiago Felipe (modified by author)
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.

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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

Instagram

@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.

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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.

Top 5 facts about Jennifer Tilly
Top 5 facts about Jennifer Tilly. Photo: Jerod Harris (modified by author)
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?

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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.

Jennifer Tilly attends the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to end AIDS at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California
Jennifer Tilly attends the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to end AIDS at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Emma McIntyre
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.

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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.

Jennifer Tilly arrives at Paley Fest LA - "Family Guy" 25th Anniversary Celebration at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California
Jennifer Tilly arrives at Paley Fest LA - "Family Guy" 25th Anniversary Celebration at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Photo: Kevin Winter
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:

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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.

Jennifer Tilly at the Terry McMillan Presents: "Tempted by Love" Los Angeles Premiere held at the IPIC Theatres in Westwood, California
Jennifer Tilly at the Terry McMillan Presents: "Tempted by Love" Los Angeles Premiere held at the IPIC Theatres in Westwood, California. Photo: Elyse Jankowski
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.

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Jennifer Tilly at the LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California
Jennifer Tilly at the LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Gilbert Flores
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.

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Jennifer Tilly attends the IMDboat at San Diego Comic-Con at The IMDb Yacht in San Diego
Jennifer Tilly attends the IMDboat at San Diego Comic-Con at The IMDb Yacht in San Diego, California. Photo: Michael Kovac
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.

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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.

As a lead vocalist of Little Big Town, she has drawn millions through hit songs and tours. Beyond music, her fashion line, Fair Child, broadens her financial portfolio.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Ruth Gitonga avatar

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 avatar

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

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