Kate McKinnon Net Worth

Kate McKinnon is an American comedian, actress, writer, and producer who has an estimated net worth of $9 million.

Widely celebrated for her work on Saturday Night Live (SNL), McKinnon became one of the most recognizable comedic performers of her generation. Known for her sharp impressions, physical comedic skill, and emotional range, she earned multiple Emmy Awards and became a standout star of the long-running sketch show.

Early Life

Kate McKinnon was born January 6, 1984, in Sea Cliff, New York. She grew up in a middle-class family alongside her younger sister. Tragically, her father passed away when she was 18, a loss she has spoken about as a defining point in her life.

From a young age, McKinnon demonstrated artistic talent. She learned to play several instruments—including the piano, guitar, and cello—and had a passion for performance. She also began experimenting with accents and impressions early on; one of her first memorable comedic moments was impersonating the Queen of England in a fifth-grade play.

After graduating high school, she attended Columbia University, where she studied theater. During her time there, she co-founded a comedy group and became deeply involved in the university’s theatre and improv community.

Career

McKinnon’s professional career started with the sketch comedy series “The Big Gay Sketch Show”, where she was part of the cast for three seasons. During this time, she also performed in live comedy venues across New York City.

She began building a strong resume in voice acting, lending her voice to animated projects including:

• The Venture Bros.
• Robotomy
• Ugly Americans

Her rising success was recognized in 2009 when she received the NewNowNext Award for Best Rising Comic.

Breakthrough on Saturday Night Live

McKinnon joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2012. By the following year, she was promoted to a main cast member, marking the start of her rise to one of the show’s standout performers.

On SNL, she became known for her uncanny impressions of major public figures, including:

• Hillary Clinton
• Kellyanne Conway
• Elizabeth Warren
• Ellen DeGeneres
• Justin Bieber
• Shakira
• Iggy Azalea
• Bella Hadid

Her comedic timing, physical expressiveness, and ability to portray both subtle and over-the-top characters made her essential to the show’s political and pop culture sketches.

McKinnon won her first Primetime Emmy Award in 2016 for her SNL work—becoming the first SNL cast member to win the award in 23 years. She won again in 2017.

Film & Television Career

Beyond SNL, McKinnon expanded into film and TV roles, appearing in major studio projects such as:

• Ghostbusters (2016)
• Finding Dory (voice role, 2016)
• Rough Night (2017)
• The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)
• Yesterday (2019)
• Barbie (2023), where she played the memorable “Weird Barbie”

Her work continued to demonstrate her versatility, comedic depth, and unique on-screen presence.

She also co-created projects with her sister, including the web series Notary Publix, and the Audible audio comedy Heads Will Roll.

Endorsements

McKinnon has appeared in several major brand campaigns.
She has:

• Starred in advertisements for the Ford Focus (2015)
• Featured in a Hellmann’s Super Bowl commercial (2024) alongside Pete Davidson

These endorsement deals have added significantly to her income.

Personal Life

Kate McKinnon has openly identified as gay throughout her career. In 2020, during the Golden Globe Awards, she publicly thanked Ellen DeGeneres for helping her feel safe expressing her identity. She has been in relationships with writer Bari Weiss and later photographer and actress Jackie Abbott.

Kate McKinnon SNL Salary

SNL cast salaries increase based on tenure:

Given her long tenure and importance to the show, McKinnon likely earned at the higher end of the pay scale during her later SNL seasons.

Kate McKinnon Net Worth

Kate McKinnon net worth is $9 million.

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