Ellie Kemper has built an impressive fortune through her work in television, film, writing, and voice acting. Her net worth stands at approximately $9 million in 2026 — a testament to her versatility as an actress, comedian, and author. How did this Princeton-educated performer, who grew up in one of Missouri’s wealthiest families, carve out her own path to financial success?
Let’s explore the money journey of the star best known for her roles in NBC’s The Office and the Netflix comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Who Is Ellie Kemper?
Born Elizabeth Claire Kemper on May 2, 1980, in Kansas City, Missouri, Ellie grew up surrounded by wealth and influence. Her father, David Woods Kemper, served as executive chairman of Commerce Bancshares, a bank holding company founded by the Kemper family. Her great-great-grandfather, William Thornton Kemper Sr., was a prominent banker and railroad magnate whose legacy shaped Missouri’s financial landscape. The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University in St. Louis is named after Ellie’s grandmother.
Despite this deep-rooted family wealth, Ellie chose to forge her own path in entertainment. She is the second of four children and the elder sister of television writer Carrie Kemper, who worked as a writer on The Office and Silicon Valley.
Kemper grew up in St. Louis after her family moved there when she was five years old. She attended Conway Elementary School in the affluent suburb of Ladue before enrolling at John Burroughs School, where she developed a strong interest in theater and improvisational comedy. One of her teachers was a young Jon Hamm — the future Mad Men star who would later appear as her on-screen husband in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Princeton and Oxford
Ellie graduated from Princeton University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. At Princeton, she joined Quipfire, the university’s oldest improv comedy troupe, known for its elaborate pranks, and became a member of the Princeton Triangle Club, a touring musical comedy theater group. She also played on Princeton’s 1998 national championship field hockey team, though she later joked that she spent “roughly 97 percent” of the time on the bench before shifting her focus to theater.
After Princeton, Ellie attended Worcester College, Oxford, where she studied toward a master’s degree in English literature. She eventually left Oxford to pursue comedy in New York City — a decision that would prove transformative for her career.
Early Comedy Career
Ellie’s comedy journey began in earnest when she moved to New York City and immersed herself in the improv scene. She trained and performed at the People’s Improv Theatre and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, where she appeared in shows such as Death and/or Despair, Listen Kid, and The Improvised Mystery. She also wrote and performed in the one-woman show Dumb Girls and co-wrote several sketch comedy shows with her comedy partner Scott Eckert.
Around this time, Kemper earned her Screen Actors Guild card through a Kmart commercial that featured a tarantula crawling across her face. She interned at Late Night with Conan O’Brien — the same show where future Office co-stars Mindy Kaling, John Krasinski, and Angela Kinsey also interned — and regularly appeared in comedy sketches on the program. She also contributed writing to The Onion, McSweeney’s, HuffPost, and later The New Yorker, establishing herself as a sharp comedic voice beyond performance.
In 2009, Variety recognized her growing talent by naming her one of “10 Comics to Watch,” and an audition for Parks and Recreation led co-creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur to cast her on their other series — a decision that changed her career forever.
Career Highlights
Ellie’s breakthrough came when she joined the cast of NBC’s hit sitcom The Office as receptionist Erin Hannon during the show’s fifth season in 2009. What started as a guest appearance turned into a series regular role, and she went on to appear in more than 100 episodes through the show’s final season in 2013. During her early episodes, the writers hadn’t fully decided on Erin’s personality, so Kemper actually played two different versions of the character — one sweet and quirky, and another more serious and straightforward — before the creative team chose the version audiences came to love.
Her career reached new heights when Tina Fey and Robert Carlock cast her as the lead in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix. The series, about a woman rescued from a doomsday cult, ran for four seasons and a 2020 interactive special, totaling 52 episodes. Ellie’s performance as the eternally optimistic title character earned her critical acclaim and two consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016 and 2017.
Film Career and Box Office Success
Beyond television, Kemper built a solid film portfolio. She appeared in the ensemble comedy Bridesmaids (2011), which became a blockbuster hit, grossing $288.4 million worldwide and earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture. She followed with roles in 21 Jump Street (2012), Sex Tape (2014), and Home Sweet Home Alone (2021).
Her voice acting work proved equally lucrative. She voiced Katie in The Secret Life of Pets (2016), which earned $875.5 million at the global box office, and reprised the role in the 2019 sequel, which grossed $434 million worldwide. She also voiced characters in The Lego Batman Movie, Smurfs: The Lost Village, and the animated series Sofia the First and The Simpsons.
Salary and Earnings
Ellie’s paychecks grew substantially as her fame increased. During the later seasons of The Office, she reportedly earned around $100,000 per episode. This salary jumped when she landed the title role in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, where estimates suggest she earned between $150,000 and $200,000 per episode across its 52-episode run.
For film roles, her pay varied based on the production’s budget and her role size. In major studio comedies like Bridesmaids, she likely earned in the mid-six figures. Voice acting in animated franchises like The Secret Life of Pets typically pays top talent between $300,000 and $500,000, making her animated film work a significant income stream.
Like her Office co-stars, Kemper also benefits from syndication and streaming residuals. The Office remains one of the most-streamed comedy series in the world, generating ongoing income for its cast members. However, as The Office was produced before the streaming era, original contracts were not structured for today’s streaming revenue models, which means residual payments may be lower than what modern deals would provide.
Beyond Acting: Other Income Sources
Ellie has diversified her income well beyond on-screen roles. In 2018, she published her debut memoir, My Squirrel Days, a humorous collection of personal essays. The book deal likely earned her a six-figure advance, plus ongoing royalties.
She has also expanded into hosting. Kemper hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live in 2015 and took on hosting duties for The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition. Her writing credits extend to publications like The New Yorker, GQ, Esquire, and The New York Times, adding credibility and modest income to her portfolio.
Brand partnerships and endorsements have supplemented her earnings further. While not as prolific in the endorsement space as some celebrities, she has appeared in commercials for brands like Apple and Buick — deals that typically pay well-known actors hundreds of thousands of dollars each.
Real Estate Investments
Ellie has invested wisely in New York City real estate. In 2016, she and her husband purchased a pre-war co-op apartment in Manhattan’s Upper West Side for approximately $2.8 million. The unit, located just a few blocks from Tina Fey’s home, featured three bedrooms and three bathrooms. They listed the property for sale in April 2022 for $2.875 million.
As their family grew, the couple made a significant upgrade. In late 2021, Kemper and Koman paid $7.8 million for an apartment in New York City with 60 feet of direct frontage and views onto Central Park — one of the most coveted features in Manhattan luxury real estate. They listed this unit for sale in April 2025 for $7.5 million. These real estate transactions reflect both smart wealth management and the financial rewards of a sustained entertainment career.
Personal Life and Family
Ellie married comedy writer Michael Koman on July 7, 2012, in a Catholic Church ceremony. Koman is a respected comedy writer who has worked on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Colbert Report, Saturday Night Live, and co-created the acclaimed Comedy Central series Nathan for You. The couple has two sons: James, born in July 2016, and Matthew, born in September 2019. They are raising their children Roman Catholic.
Ellie’s family connections run deep. Her mother, Dorothy Ann “Dotty” Jannarone Kemper, comes from an Italian Catholic background. Her father’s family founded Commerce Bancshares, which holds over $30 billion in assets. Ellie could have pursued a career in banking but chose entertainment instead — a decision that has paid off both creatively and financially.
Career Achievements and Awards
Throughout her career, Ellie has earned numerous award nominations that have solidified her industry standing and earning power. She received two consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in 2016 and 2017. The show also earned her a Gracie Allen Award and a Webby Award, along with nominations from the Critics’ Choice Television Awards, Satellite Awards, and Gold Derby Awards.
She has received multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations — both individually and as part of ensemble casts for The Office and Bridesmaids. She also received a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival. While major solo awards have eluded her so far, this consistent critical recognition has maintained her status as a sought-after performer, directly impacting her earning potential and marketability.
Public Image and Brand Value
Ellie’s public image as a wholesome, funny, and approachable performer has strengthened her brand value over the years. She projects an authentic persona that resonates with audiences and makes her attractive to casting directors and brand partners looking for reliable ambassadors.
This positive image faced a brief challenge in 2021 when old photos surfaced of her participation in the 1999 Veiled Prophet Ball, where she had been named Queen of Love and Beauty at age 19. The Ball’s historical connections drew criticism, and Kemper responded with a statement denouncing white supremacy and apologizing for her participation. The controversy subsided without causing lasting damage to her career or earnings.
How Her Wealth Compares to Co-Stars
Ellie’s $9 million net worth falls in the middle range compared to her famous co-stars. From The Office, Steve Carell leads with a fortune estimated at over $80 million, while John Krasinski and Mindy Kaling have built wealth in the $30–80 million range through expanded careers in directing, producing, and creating content. . Her Office co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey have each built approximately $12–16 million fortunes, partly through their successful Office Ladies podcast and ongoing residuals.
Among her Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt co-stars, Tituss Burgess has amassed around $5 million, while Carol Kane’s decades-long career has built a reported $8 million fortune. Jane Krakowski, with her extensive television and Broadway background, holds an estimated $14 million.
Kemper’s wealth reflects her status as a successful lead actress who has maintained steady work. However, unlike Mindy Kaling, who significantly boosted her fortune by creating and producing her own shows, Ellie has not yet branched extensively into producing or show creation — an opportunity that could substantially increase her net worth.
Projects and Future Work
Ellie continues to work steadily across multiple platforms. Recent projects include voice work in animated productions, roles in Netflix films such as Happiness for Beginners (2023), and continued contributions to various publications.
Her career demonstrates impressive versatility across television, film, voice acting, writing, and hosting — providing multiple income streams and protection against industry volatility. Looking ahead, Kemper has significant potential to grow her wealth through several avenues:
- Creating and producing original content — following the path of former co-stars like Mindy Kaling, who built a post-Office empire through show creation and production deals
- Expanding her writing career beyond her debut memoir, potentially through additional books, screenplays, or television writing
- Taking on more prominent film roles or leading another successful television series
- Developing her voice acting presence in the lucrative animated film and series market, where The Secret Life of Pets franchise alone grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide
- Monetizing nostalgia through Office-related content, podcasts, or reunions — a strategy that has proven financially rewarding for several of her co-stars.
Managing Wealth and Financial Decisions
With her family’s deep roots in banking and finance, Ellie likely has access to strong financial guidance. Her real estate portfolio demonstrates a thoughtful approach to wealth management, with strategic property purchases in prime Manhattan locations that tend to appreciate over time.
The entertainment industry’s unpredictable nature makes smart money management especially important. Celebrities at Kemper’s level typically work with financial advisors to build diversified portfolios across stocks, bonds, real estate, and sometimes business ventures — ensuring long-term financial security beyond their peak earning years.
Philanthropic Work
Ellie supports various causes, though she keeps much of her charitable work private. She has participated in events supporting organizations like the Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center and other health-related charities. Her public advocacy has included environmental causes and women’s issues. While philanthropic giving may reduce net worth in the short term, it often enhances a celebrity’s brand value and public goodwill, potentially leading to more high-profile opportunities.
Conclusion
Ellie Kemper’s journey from a wealthy St. Louis family to building her own $9 million fortune is a story of talent, education, and strategic career choices. Despite her family’s prominence in banking — with roots tracing back to railroad magnate William Thornton Kemper Sr. and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum — she chose to create her own legacy through comedy and performance.
From her improv days at Princeton’s Quipfire troupe and the Upright Citizens Brigade to her breakthrough as Erin Hannon on The Office and her Emmy-nominated turn in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Kemper has proven that consistent excellence across multiple entertainment platforms builds lasting financial success. Her voice acting in billion-dollar animated franchises, her real estate investments in Manhattan, and her writing career all demonstrate financial savvy beyond the screen.
As she continues taking on new projects and exploring opportunities in producing and writing, her wealth has strong potential for growth. Ellie Kemper may not rank among Hollywood’s wealthiest stars, but her steady career trajectory and diversified income streams make her a model of sustainable financial success in an unpredictable industry.
