Dana Carvey Net Worth, Career, Health Struggles, Assets
Dana Carvey, an American actor and stand-up comedian with a net worth of $20 million, emerged as one of entertainment’s most influential comedians during the 1980s and 1990s. His breakthrough came as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” which led to memorable film roles, most notably in “Wayne’s World” (1992) and its 1993 sequel. His exceptional work on SNL earned him a coveted Primetime Emmy Award.
Despite experiencing a career slowdown in the early 2000s, Carvey chose to prioritize family life, prompting many to wonder about his whereabouts. While maintaining a lower profile in recent years, he continues to perform stand-up comedy and makes occasional media appearances. Since 2022, he’s found a new creative outlet as co-host of the podcast “Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade.”
Early Life and Education
Born Dana Thomas Carvey on June 2, 1955, in Missoula, Montana, he was raised in a Lutheran family. At age three, his family relocated to San Carlos, California. Interestingly, his brother Brad, who designed the Video Toaster (video editing software and hardware), would later inspire Dana’s famous character “Garth” in “Wayne’s World.” Brad’s technical expertise also contributed to visual effects in major films like “Men In Black” and “Black Hawk Down.”
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Carvey developed an early interest in drums and excelled in athletics, becoming part of his high school’s champion cross-country team. His academic journey took him from the College of San Mateo to San Francisco State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications.
Career Evolution
Dana Carvey’s professional journey began in 1977 when he won the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition. His early 1980s filmography includes minor roles in “Halloween II” and “This is Spinal Tap,” along with appearances in television series like “One of the Boys” and “Blue Thunder.”
The year 1986 he marked his breakthrough with “Tough Guys,” starring alongside Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster. Rather than pursuing game show hosting opportunities, Carvey joined “Saturday Night Live,” where he became instrumental in reviving the show’s declining ratings. His SNL characters, particularly the “Church Lady” and his spot-on George H. W. Bush impressions, cemented his status as a comedy legend.
His film career peaked with “Wayne’s World” (1992) and its 1993 sequel, though he later turned down several opportunities, including “Bad Boys,” to focus on family. The mid-1990s saw him launch “The Dana Carvey Show,” which, though short-lived, helped launch the careers of Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert.
Career Challenges and Later Years
The early 2000s brought challenges, particularly with 2002’s critically panned “Master of Disguise.” After another setback with 2011’s “Jack and Jill,” Carvey shifted his focus to stand-up comedy and occasional sketch comedy appearances.
Personal Life
Dana Carvey’s life saw significant changes when he divorced his first wife, Leah, in 1980 after developing feelings for Paula Zwagerman. He and Paula married in 1983 and have two children together. The family currently resides in Mill Valley, Marin County, California.
Health Struggles
In 1997, Carvey faced serious health challenges when a bypass surgery went awry due to the surgeon operating on the wrong artery. This medical error led to ongoing angina pectoris issues and a successful $8 million malpractice lawsuit, which Carvey generously donated to charity. During his final angioplasty procedure, he experienced an unusual coincidence when Frank Sinatra passed away in the adjacent hospital room.
Assets
Dana Carvey’s property portfolio includes a 1999 purchase in Ross, Marin County, Northern California. The $3.75 million property (equivalent to approximately $6 million today) was expertly designed by architect Gardiner Dailey and landscape artist Thomas Church, reflecting Carvey’s taste for refined living spaces.
