Lorne Michaels Biography & Net Worth

Lorne Michaels Biography & Net Worth

Lorne Michaels is a Canadian-American television producer best known for creating and producing the popular television show ‘Saturday Night Live’. He is also the man behind the production of several notable shows like ‘The Tonight Show’, the ‘Late Night’ series, and ‘The Kids in the Hall’. Some of his successful works have earned him several awards including 19 Primetime Emmys from 91 nominations, holding the record of the most nominated individual in the history of the award show. Keep on reading the remainder of this article for full details of Lorne Michaels’ biography, professional life, and how he emerged to become so wealthy and successful.

Lorne Michaels’ Early Life

Lorne Michaels was born Lorne David Lipowitz on November 17, 1944, to Henry Abraham Lipowitz and Florence (née Becker). He and his two siblings were raised in Toronto, Canada, where he attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute. He also attended University College in Toronto where he majored in English, graduating in 1966. Michaels became a citizen of the United States in 1987.

Lorne Michaels’ Career

Lorne started his career as a writer and broadcaster in CBC Radio Station. After graduating from college in 1966, he later moved to Los Angeles from Toronto in 1968. In Los Angeles, California, Lorne worked for ‘The beautiful Phyllis Show’ as a writer, and was eventually featured with Hart Pomerantz in the show ‘The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour’.

The show ‘Saturday Night Live’ (formerly known as NBC’s Saturday Night) was launched in 1975. It was designed by Dick Ebersol, Herb, and Lorne Michael himself. Michael started working on the show as a producer initially, and later worked as a writer before becoming the show’s executive producer. He was known for his deadpan role in most scenes. Michael has also produced several other notable shows including ‘The Tonight Show’, the ‘Late Night’ series, and ‘The Kids in the Hall’.

Awards & Achievements

Michael has won 19 Primetime Emmy Awards from a total of 91 nominations, holding the record of the most nominated individual in the history of the award show. His works on ‘Saturday Night Live’ has won him 30 Emmy Awards from over a hundred and fifty-six nominations. Other awards he has won include five PGA Awards, a Costume Designers Guild Awards, six Writers Guild of America Awards, three Gemini Awards, a Television Critics Association Award, a Gold Derby Award and The Webby Award as well. In 1996, he earned a star on the Walk of Fame, and had an induction into the Order of Canada in 2002.

Personal Life & Family

Michaels is a proud dad of three children. He has been married three different times in his lifetime. He started a relationship with Rosie Shuster in the early 1960s. Rosie is the daughter of comedian Frank Shuster. In 1971, Lorne Michaels tied the knot with his partner Rosie. However, their marriage lasted only nine years and they divorced in 1980. The following year, he got married to American model Susan Forristal, and their union lasted for six years, ending in divorce in 1987. It was in 1991 that he married his current wife, Alice Barry. She was his former assistant, and they have been living together in harmony for more than two decades with no negative issues whatsoever.

Lorne Michaels Net Worth

As at the time of filling this report, Lorne Michaels net worth is estimated to be $550 million. He has earned his wealth by portraying various characters in all the television shows he has been a part of. Michaels has also made his money as a writer, producer, and executive producer of various television series. He also performs as a stand-up comedian, and boosts his income through this means.

There exists a natural curiosity around his salary, and how much a guy like Michaels earns from NBC after all his works. Unfortunately there is no simple flat amount for an answer, as this man serves as a writer and producer, and produces many shows asides Saturday Night Live. He has also produced a good number of commercially successful films which must have improved his financial status. He is known to sign massive contracts with companies as a producer, and these deals allow him cart away with big paychecks regularly. It is on record that Lorne Michaels derives his income from two main sources, which are Television production and Film development. He has had a three-decade long film development contract with Paramount. As a television producer he has been based with NBC/Universal/Comcast. Between the two deals, several online sources estimate that he earns around $30 – 40 million per year.

Considered a ‘Jack of many trades’ in the film industry, Lorne Michaels has achieved commendable success as a writer, actor, comedian, and television producer, and he has made his fortune and fame from these different professions.