Max Greenfield net worth sits at roughly $3 million as of 2025. That figure comes from years of steady work in television, voice acting gigs, and a handful of film roles. While he’s not among Hollywood’s highest-paid stars, Greenfield carved out a comfortable living by choosing smart roles and staying busy.
Most people know him as Schmidt from New Girl, the fashion-obsessed best friend who made us laugh for seven seasons. His recent work on The Neighbourhood keeps him in front of audiences and adds to his income. Voice work, residuals from syndication, and guest appearances round out his earnings.
Quick Snapshot: Who Is He?
Born September 4, 1979, in Dobbs Ferry, New York, Greenfield turned 45 this year. He started acting in the late 1990s, landing small TV roles before his big break came along. You’ve probably seen him in dozens of shows before New Girl made him a household name.
He’s married to casting director Tess Sanchez, and they have two kids together. The family keeps a relatively low profile compared to other celebrity households. Greenfield balances his career with family life, often mentioning his wife and children in interviews.
His comedy timing and willingness to play ridiculous characters set him apart. Schmidt wasn’t just a breakout role—it defined a generation of sitcom characters and showed producers what Greenfield could do.
TV Actor and Comedic Career
Television pays the bills for most working actors, and Greenfield built his career around it. Before New Girl premiered in 2011, he appeared in Ugly Betty, Veronica Mars, and Greek. These weren’t star-making roles, but they kept him working and visible.
New Girl changed everything. Playing Schmidt for seven seasons meant steady paychecks and residuals that still arrive today. Fox paid him well, though exact per-episode figures never went public. Sitcom actors on hit shows typically earn between $100,000 and $250,000 per episode by the final seasons.
After New Girl wrapped in 2018, Greenfield jumped straight into The Neighbourhood on CBS. Playing Dave Johnson—a friendly Midwesterner who moves to a predominantly Black neighbourhood in Los Angeles—gave him another multi-season run. The show’s still airing, which means his salary continues.
Voice acting adds another income stream. He voiced characters in Bob’s Burgers, Big Mouth, and BoJack Horseman. Voice work pays less than on-camera roles, but it’s quick, requires fewer days in the studio, and builds up over time.
Where the Money Comes From
Actors don’t just earn from their base salary. Greenfield’s income splits across several categories, each contributing to that $3 million total.
Episode salaries form the foundation. When New Girl was at its peak, Greenfield likely earned six figures per episode. By season seven, that number probably climbed higher as the cast negotiated better deals. The Neighbourhood pays well too, though newer shows typically offer lower starting rates than established hits.
Residuals matter more than people realise. Every time New Girl airs on a cable channel or streams on a platform, cast members receive payments. These checks aren’t huge individually, but they add up month after month, year after year. Syndication deals can generate income for decades.
Voice acting brings in smaller but consistent money. An episode of Bob’s Burgers might pay $10,000 to $20,000 for a few hours of studio time. Do that across multiple shows, and it becomes meaningful income. Voice actors also earn residuals when episodes re-air.
Film roles supplement his TV work. Greenfield appeared in The Big Short, Hello, My Name Is Doris, and A Futile and Stupid Gesture. These weren’t leading roles, so payments ranged from tens of thousands to low six figures. Still, every role counts.
Guest appearances and hosting gigs provide occasional bumps. Late-night talk shows, podcasts, and award show presentations don’t pay massive amounts, but they keep him relevant and create more opportunities.
Earnings by Role
New Girl remains his biggest financial win. Seven seasons of steady work, plus ongoing residuals, probably account for more than half his total net worth. The show’s popularity on streaming services means those residual checks should continue for years.
The Neighbourhood adds stability. While it’s not as culturally massive as New Girl was, it’s a network sitcom with decent ratings. CBS pays its actors well, and multi-season contracts guarantee income even during Hollywood’s ups and downs.
Voice work doesn’t match live-action salaries, but it’s easier. Greenfield can record several episodes in a single day, then move on to other projects. The flexibility lets him juggle multiple income sources at once.
Career Highlights That Matter to His Net Worth
Landing the Schmidt role changed Greenfield’s financial situation overnight. Before New Girl, he was a working actor making decent money. After it, he became someone producers wanted to hire.
The show earned multiple Emmy nominations, and Greenfield received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012. Award nominations boost an actor’s asking price for future projects. They signal quality and draw attention from casting directors.
His transition from New Girl straight into The Neighbourhood showed smart career planning. Many actors struggle to find their next big role after a hit show ends. Greenfield avoided unemployment by lining up his next gig before the old one finished.
Voice acting credits expanded his reach. Shows like Bob’s Burgers and Big Mouth have devoted fanbases. These roles introduced him to audiences who might not watch traditional sitcoms, creating more career options.
He also co-authored a children’s book, Literally, the Best Thing Ever, which came out in 2022. Book deals don’t make actors rich, but they diversify income and build personal brands.
Personal Life Snapshot (Family, Where He Lives)
Greenfield married Tess Sanchez in 2008. She works as a casting director, so she understands the industry’s demands and unpredictability. They have a daughter and a son together.
The family lives in Los Angeles, like most working TV actors. Staying close to audition rooms, studios, and industry events makes sense when your career depends on being available. Los Angeles real estate isn’t cheap, but a $3 million net worth covers a comfortable lifestyle.
He keeps his family out of the spotlight compared to other celebrities. You won’t see constant social media posts about his kids or detailed home tours. That privacy protects his children and maintains boundaries between his public and private lives.
How His Net Worth Compares to Peers
At $3 million, Greenfield falls in the middle range for successful TV actors. His New Girl co-star Zooey Deschanel is worth around $25 million, but she was already famous before the show and earned producer credits. Jake Johnson, who played Nick Miller, has an estimated net worth of $8 million.
Sitcom stars on long-running network shows can accumulate much larger fortunes. The cast of Friends, for example, still earns millions annually from syndication. The Big Bang Theory actors negotiated salaries of over $1 million per episode by the final seasons.
Greenfield’s wealth reflects a solid, consistent career rather than superstardom. He works regularly, chooses good projects, and avoids the long unemployment stretches that plague many actors. That’s a win in an industry where most performers struggle to make a living.
Why Numbers Can Vary — A Quick Guide
Different websites list different net worth figures for celebrities, and there’s a reason for that. Most estimates come from public information like real estate records, reported salaries, and industry averages. Nobody except Greenfield and his accountant knows the exact number.
Private investments don’t show up in public records. If he owns property, stocks, or business ventures that aren’t publicised, those assets stay hidden from estimates. Some actors invest wisely and build wealth beyond their acting income.
Residuals and backend deals complicate calculations. A percentage of profits from a hit show can generate money for years, but those numbers aren’t public. Estimators make educated guesses based on typical industry deals.
The date matters too. A net worth figure from 2020 might be outdated by 2025. Career changes, new projects, or personal investments all shift the number over time.
Bottom Line: The Short Takeaway
Max Greenfield’s net worth of $3 million reflects a successful TV career built on smart choices and consistent work. New Girl gave him financial security, The Neighbourhood extends his earning years, and voice acting provides a steady supplemental income. He’s not among Hollywood’s wealthiest, but he’s built a comfortable life doing work he enjoys—and in show business, that counts as winning.
