Jennifer Tilly is an American actress, voice artist, and poker player, known for her significant contributions to film and television as well as her success in the competitive poker world.
With a career spanning over several decades, Tilly’s financial portfolio includes earnings from her acting, poker winnings, and royalties from her past relationships. As of December 2024, her net worth is estimated at $40 million.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on September 16, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, Jennifer Tilly came from a family with ties to the entertainment industry. Her mother, Patricia, was a schoolteacher and former actress, while her father, Harry, worked as a used car salesman.
Tilly, alongside her siblings, was exposed to the world of acting from an early age, and she eventually pursued it as a career. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Missouri’s Stephens College, Tilly began appearing in television and films.
Tilly’s career took off in the 1990s when she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Bullets Over Broadway (1994).
This breakthrough performance, along with roles in movies like Liar Liar (1997) and Bound (1996), significantly raised her profile in Hollywood.
Acting Career: Breakthrough and Notable Roles
Jennifer Tilly has appeared in over 120 acting projects, cementing her place as a versatile actress.
While she has portrayed a range of characters in both comedy and drama, she is perhaps most widely recognized for her work in the Child’s Play franchise, where she plays the character Tiffany Valentine.
Tilly also provided the voice for Celia Mae in Disney’s Monsters, Inc. (2001) and starred in The Haunted Mansion (2003). She has continued her work in animation, voicing Bonnie Swanson in the long-running animated series Family Guy since 1999.
Poker Career and Earnings
Aside from acting, Jennifer Tilly has built a successful career in the world of competitive poker. Encouraged by her boyfriend, professional poker player Phil “Unabomber” Laak, she started participating in poker tournaments in the early 2000s.
In 2005, Tilly made history by winning the World Series of Poker Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold’em event, taking home $158,625 and a coveted bracelet.
She also triumphed in the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament the same year, adding to her reputation in the poker world.
Tilly’s poker winnings, alongside her acting career, have contributed significantly to her wealth, with total earnings from poker tournaments reaching nearly $1 million by 2017.
Though she briefly retired from poker, Tilly returned to the game and has continued to be a prominent figure in the poker community.
The Role of Sam Simon and Royalties from The Simpsons
Jennifer Tilly’s financial success has also been bolstered by her relationship with Sam Simon, the co-creator of The Simpsons.
Though the two divorced in 1993, Tilly was entitled to 30% of Simon’s share of the royalties from The Simpsons. These royalties have proven to be extremely lucrative, with Simon earning between $20 and $30 million per year from his backend equity points.
Following Simon’s death in 2015, Tilly’s share of these royalties continues to contribute to her substantial income, estimated at $6-10 million annually.
This long-term revenue stream, which now comes directly from Fox rather than from Simon’s company, Coconino Inc., has been a significant component of Tilly’s wealth.
It ensures that she continues to benefit from The Simpsons’ ongoing success, even years after her divorce from Simon.
Tilly’s Personal and Professional Life
In addition to her acting and poker careers, Jennifer Tilly’s personal life has often been in the public eye.
She has been in a relationship with professional poker player Phil Laak since 2004, and the couple is known for their appearances together at poker tournaments.
Tilly’s life has also been marked by her philanthropic efforts, particularly in the aftermath of her divorce from Simon, when she has supported animal charities with the funds she received from The Simpsons royalties.
