Whitney Cummings, a multifaceted talent, boasts a net worth of $35 million. She’s known for her work as an actress, comedian, writer, and producer. As an actress, Cummings gained popularity for her role in NBC’s “Whitney,” which ran from 2011 to 2013. However, it’s her work as a producer that significantly boosted her wealth, especially through the success and syndication royalties of “2 Broke Girls,” a show she co-created.
Born on September 4, 1982, in Washington, D.C., Whitney Cummings experienced a tumultuous childhood. Raised in a dysfunctional and alcoholic household, her parents divorced when she was five. Whitney was later raised by her aunt in Virginia starting at age twelve. She attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland, and graduated in 2002. In high school, Whitney interned at WRC-TV in Washington D.C. and also studied acting at Studio Theater.
Cummings initially began her career in entertainment as a model, working at local shopping malls. She later attended the University of Southern California, using her modeling income to fund her education. Eventually, she transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Communications and Film. Initially aspiring to be a journalist, Cummings’ path took a turn toward comedy, leading her to perform stand-up in Los Angeles.
Whitney’s comedy career took off after MTV producers discovered her while she was performing stand-up in local clubs. Her breakout moment came when she appeared on Ashton Kutcher’s “Punk’d” in 2004. She also starred in the low-budget thriller “EMR” that year, which screened at Cannes. As she continued to rise in the comedy scene, Cummings was named to “Variety’s” “10 Comics to Watch” in 2007. In 2008, she made appearances on “The Tony Rock Project” and in the film “Made of Honor.”
Whitney also appeared on the E! Network’s “Chelsea Lately” as a regular guest until 2014. She was recognized by “Entertainment Weekly” as one of “12 Rising Stars of Comedy” in 2008. Her career gained more momentum as she took part in several Comedy Central Roasts, including those of Joan Rivers, David Hasselhoff, and Donald Trump. In 2010, she premiered her first one-hour special, “Whitney Cummings: Money Shot” on Comedy Central.
In 2011, Whitney co-created and produced the NBC show “Whitney,” which ran for two seasons. Her biggest financial success came from co-creating “2 Broke Girls,” which ran from 2011 to 2017. This sitcom was widely successful, and Cummings earned significant syndication royalties after the show was sold into syndication for $1.7 million per episode. Over the years, this deal has resulted in substantial earnings. In addition to her role as a creator, she also served as a writer, producer, and director.
Cummings’ success didn’t stop with television. In 2017, she made her directorial debut with the film “The Female Brain” and published her first book, “I’m Fine…And Other Lies.” She also contributed as head writer and executive producer for the revival of “Roseanne,” though she left the show after controversial remarks from its star, Roseanne Barr. In 2019, Whitney launched her fourth hour-long special, “Can I Touch It?” on Netflix. Later that year, she also introduced her podcast, “Good for You.”
At the height of her TV career, Cummings earned $60,000 per episode of “Whitney.” Her income as an executive producer and creator for “2 Broke Girls” further contributed to her impressive net worth.
“2 Broke Girls” ran for six successful seasons and earned Whitney significant syndication royalties. When TBS bought the syndication rights in 2012 for $1.7 million per episode, it marked a record-breaking deal. As a result, Whitney, alongside the show’s stars, earned a percentage of the syndication profits. Over the course of the show’s syndication, she is expected to earn around $50 million in royalties.
In addition to her work in entertainment, Whitney Cummings has made strategic real estate investments. In 2019, she purchased a home in Woodland Hills, California, for $4.3 million. She had previously bought a property in Studio City in 2011 for $1.49 million. These investments reflect her growing wealth and stable financial portfolio.
