Teri Hatcher, an accomplished American actress and author, boasts a net worth of $50 million. She is best known for her role as Susan Mayer on Desperate Housewives (2004-2012) and as Lois Lane in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997). Her diverse career spans television, film, and writing, making her a household name.
A Journey Through Early Career
Teri Hatcher’s career began in 1984 when she became a cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers. Her next significant step in the entertainment industry came in 1985 when she landed a role on The Love Boat, portraying Amy, the Love Boat Mermaid, for 19 episodes. Hatcher’s film debut came in 1989 with The Big Picture. Over the years, she accumulated more than 50 acting credits in film and television.
Some of her prominent film roles include Soapdish (1991), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), and Spy Kids (2001). On television, she had guest spots on shows like MacGyver (1986–1990), Seinfeld (1993–1998), The Odd Couple (2016–2017), and Supergirl (2017). Hatcher also authored a memoir, Burnt Toast: And Other Philosophies of Life (2006), adding to her multifaceted career.
Early Life and Background
Teri Hatcher was born on December 8, 1964, in Palo Alto, California. Her mother, Esther, worked as a computer programmer, while her father, Owen, was an electrical engineer and nuclear physicist. Hatcher developed an early passion for the arts, studying ballet at the San Juan School of Dance. Growing up in Sunnyvale, California, she attended Fremont High School, where she was the captain of the Featherettes dance team.
Her academic interests included engineering and mathematics, which she pursued at De Anza College. Alongside her studies, she took acting classes at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater. Hatcher later revealed she had been sexually abused by her uncle, Richard Hayes Stone, starting at the age of five. She bravely assisted in his conviction, and he was sentenced to 14 years in prison before passing away in 2008.
Stepping into the Spotlight
Hatcher’s career took off in 1984 when she joined the cheerleading squad for the San Francisco 49ers. Soon after, she moved to Hollywood with a friend and attended an open casting call. This led to her first significant acting role on The Love Boat, followed by a six-episode run as Penny Parker on MacGyver (1986–1990). During the late 1980s, Hatcher made several guest appearances on shows like Night Court (1987), Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989), and Murphy Brown (1990), among others.
She also appeared in recurring roles on Capitol (1986–1987) and Karen’s Song (1987). Hatcher’s early film roles included Tango & Cash (1989), where she played Katherine “Kiki” Tango, and The Big Picture (1989). In 1991, she co-starred with Sally Field and Kevin Kline in Soapdish.
Iconic Roles and Breakthrough Success
In 1993, Hatcher guest-starred on Seinfeld, delivering the iconic line, “They’re real, and they’re spectacular.” Her character, who briefly dated Jerry Seinfeld, became an unforgettable part of the show’s legacy. From 1993 to 1997, she portrayed Lois Lane alongside Dean Cain’s Clark Kent in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Hatcher’s role gained immense popularity, and in 1995, a photo of her wrapped in Superman’s cape became one of the most downloaded images on the internet.
Teri’s performance on Lois & Clark led to a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live in 1996. The following year, she starred in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies as Paris Carver. Her status as a sex symbol was cemented when readers of FHM magazine named her the sexiest woman in the world.
Hatcher continued to make waves in Hollywood. She made a memorable guest appearance on Frasier in 1998 and starred in Spy Kids (2001), which grossed $147.9 million at the box office. In 2004, she became a major television star as Susan Mayer on Desperate Housewives, a role that earned her a spot among the highest-paid actresses on TV. By 2006, she was commanding $285,000 per episode.
Success and Recognition on Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives ran for eight seasons, with Hatcher starring in 180 episodes. The show was an immense success, both commercially and critically. Teri’s portrayal of Susan Mayer earned her numerous accolades. In 2005, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series.
Her salary for Desperate Housewives also skyrocketed. In the early seasons, Hatcher earned $70,000 per episode, but by the later seasons, her pay had increased to $400,000 per episode, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in television.
Other Ventures and Recent Roles
During her time on Desperate Housewives, Teri expanded her horizons beyond acting. She voiced the character of Coraline’s mother in the animated feature Coraline (2009) and performed in the charity album Unexpected Dreams. Hatcher also made an appearance on Smallville (2010) and voiced characters in the animated films Planes (2013) and Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014).
In 2016, she took on a recurring role in the CBS reboot of The Odd Couple, appearing in 11 episodes. She also played Rhea, Queen of Daxam, on Supergirl in 2017. Additionally, she launched a YouTube channel, Hatching Change, in 2018, where she shares her personal and professional insights.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Teri Hatcher has been married twice. She wed Marcus Leithold in 1988, but the marriage ended in divorce a year later. In 1994, she married actor Jon Tenney, and the couple had a daughter, Emerson, in 1997. They divorced in 2003, and Teri and Jon share joint custody of their daughter.
While filming Desperate Housewives, Hatcher experienced a few on-set injuries, including breaking two ribs during a pole-dancing scene and suffering a scratched cornea after an exploding lightbulb. Outside of acting, Hatcher has been involved in numerous charitable activities, including supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Aviva Family and Children’s Services. Her humanitarian work earned her the Spirit of Compassion Award in 1996 and the “Impact” Award in 2010.
Awards and Recognition
Teri Hatcher’s career has been adorned with numerous accolades. Her performance on Desperate Housewives garnered her several prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe in 2005. She also received multiple nominations from the Primetime Emmys, Teen Choice Awards, and Satellite Awards. In 1996, she won the Female Discovery of the Year award at the Golden Apple Awards, and in 2018, she was named Star Baker at The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.
Real Estate Ventures
Teri Hatcher’s financial success has also extended to real estate. In 2000, she purchased a 4,100-square-foot home in Studio City, Los Angeles, for $1.5 million. In 2018, she listed this luxurious property for rent at $25,000 to $30,000 per month. The home features a private courtyard, an outdoor kitchen, a swimming pool, and a spa, offering a look into Hatcher’s refined taste.
