Penn Badgley has been a well-known figure in Hollywood for more than 20 years, winning over fans with his serious demeanor, strong acting skills, and natural charm.
He became famous with his role in Gossip Girl and later with his creepy portrayal of Joe Goldberg in You. Badgley has shown he can play many different types of characters and has stayed relevant in the industry. However, people are curious about his finances, personal life, and real estate activities in 2025.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on November 1, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland, Penn Dayton Badgley became interested in acting when he was young. He spent his childhood between Washington and Virginia before moving to Hollywood to chase his dream.
As a teenager, he took on small roles in TV shows like Will & Grace and The Young and the Restless before getting his first big role in the teen drama The Bedford Diaries.
It was his role as Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl, however, that made Badgley a household name. The CW series, which aired from 2007 to 2012, turned him into a popular figure and helped advance his career and earnings.
During his time on Gossip Girl, Badgley was reportedly paid $40,000 per episode, which helped raise his net worth.
Penn Badgley has been a well-known figure in Hollywood for more than 20 years, winning over fans with his serious demeanor, strong acting skills, and natural charm. He became famous with his role in Gossip Girl and later with his creepy portrayal of Joe Goldberg in You.
Badgley has shown he can play many different types of characters and has stayed relevant in the industry. However, people are curious about his finances, personal life, and real estate activities in 2025.
Career Evolution: From Gossip Girl to You
While Gossip Girl made him famous, Badgley wanted to take on roles that would show his acting range. He appeared in independent films like Greetings from Tim Buckley and The Paper Store, proving he could play complicated characters.
His career took another big turn in 2018 when he got the role of Joe Goldberg in Netflix’s You. The dark psychological thriller became very popular, attracting millions of viewers and strengthening Badgley’s reputation as one of the most interesting actors on television.
Personal Life: Love, Marriage, and Fatherhood
Badgley’s personal life has always attracted attention from fans, especially his real-life relationship with his Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively. The two dated for three years during the early seasons of the show before breaking up in 2010 in a friendly manner. Even after they broke up, they were professional on set, which impressed many of their fans.
In 2017, Badgley married Domino Kirke, a musician and doula. Kirke, who had a son from a previous relationship, and Badgley later welcomed their first child together in 2020. Becoming a father has had a big impact on the actor, who often talks about the joys and challenges of being a parent.
Wife of Penn Badgley
Blake Lively and Zoe Kravitz, both actors, had romantic relationships with Badgley. He started dating musician Domino Kirke in 2014, and they got married in a courthouse on February 27, 2017. The couple welcomed their son in August 2020, along with Kirke’s child from a previous relationship.
In a 2023 interview, Badgley shared that he wanted his character in You to have fewer sex scenes to show respect for his own marriage.
Badgley joined the Baha’i faith in 2015 and has since been a strong critic of the Iranian government’s mistreatment of Bahá’ís.
Real Estate Ventures
Badgley has made smart real estate investments over the years. He and his wife own a stylish home in Brooklyn, New York, which suits their bohemian lifestyle. The couple reportedly spent over $2 million on the house, which blends modern features with classic charm.
Besides their Brooklyn home, Badgley has shown interest in other real estate deals, buying and selling properties in Los Angeles over time. While he prefers a low-key lifestyle, his smart financial choices help his wealth grow beyond his acting career.
Badgley earns money from acting roles, music, and brand endorsements
Acting
Badgley started his career at a young age, moving to California and working for children’s radio stations. In 1999, he made a brief appearance on the American sitcom Will & Grace. After that, he got a main role as Phillip Chancellor on The Young and The Restless, gaining a lot of attention.
He then played minor roles in shows like The Nightmare Room and What I Like About You. In 2007, he was offered the lead role in Gossip Girl, which made him famous worldwide.
He not only starred in the show but also produced the Netflix series You. His movie credits include Margin Call, Drive-Thru, John Tucker Must Die, Greetings From Tim Buckley, and more.
Music
Badgley is the lead vocalist of the band MOTHXR, which started in 2013. They released singles like Stranger (2015) and Touch (2015). Their only studio album, Centerfold, was released in 2016. Recently, he appeared in Ariana Grande’s music video for The Boy is Mine.
Brand Endorsements
Badgley’s work with several high-end brands has helped increase his net worth. He has worked with brands like H&M, Maison Valentino Essentials, and Mario Testino’s fashion line.
Who Is the Richest Person from Gossip Girl?
While Badgley has done well for himself, Blake Lively is the richest among the Gossip Girl cast. With a net worth of over $30 million, Lively’s success goes beyond acting—she has profitable endorsement deals, business ventures, and a high-profile marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds, whose wealth adds to their combined fortune.
How Much Money Did Penn Badgley Make in You?
After Gossip Girl, Badgley continued to grow his career, starring in films like Easy A and The Stepfather. However, his career reached new heights when he was cast as Joe Goldberg in Netflix’s psychological thriller You.
Penn Badgley’s net worth is estimated based on his earnings from TV, movies, and other business ventures. His most profitable role has been as Joe Goldberg in You, where he reportedly made about $55,000 per episode in the first season.
By the later seasons, his salary grew to nearly $100,000 per episode. With four seasons and 40 episodes, this has added a lot to his wealth. His time on Gossip Girl also helped increase his fortune, as he was making $50,000 per episode by the later seasons.
In addition to this, his roles in films like Easy A and The Stepfather, brand endorsements, and real estate investments have all contributed. This is why his net worth in 2025 is estimated to be between $8 and $10 million.
Penn Badgley’s journey from being a teen drama heartthrob to a respected actor with critically praised roles is truly impressive.
His ability to play complex characters, especially his chilling role as Joe Goldberg, has made him stand out in Hollywood. Despite his success, Badgley stays humble, focusing on meaningful roles rather than just commercial success.
Outside of his career, his personal life shows stability and happiness—he has found love, become a father, and created a comfortable life away from the Hollywood spotlight. As he continues to grow as an actor, there’s no doubt that Penn Badgley will keep engaging audiences for many years.
