Martha Plimpton Net Worth

Martha Plimpton net worth is estimated at $4.5 million, earned through a decades-long career spanning film, television, Broadway, voice acting, writing, and producing. Best known for her breakout role in The Goonies and her Emmy-winning performance on The Good Wife, Plimpton has built a steady and respected career that balances mainstream success with critically acclaimed stage and independent work.

Unlike many former child stars, Martha Plimpton successfully transitioned into adult roles, maintaining relevance in Hollywood for more than 40 years. Her wealth reflects consistency rather than blockbuster paydays, with income streams drawn from acting salaries, Broadway performances, royalties, voice work, and real estate investments.

Martha Plimpton Net Worth	$4.5 Million
Date of Birth	November 16, 1970
Place of Birth	New York City

Table of Contents

Early Life

Martha Campbell Plimpton was born on November 16, 1970, in New York City, into a family deeply rooted in the performing arts. Her mother, Shelley Plimpton, was a stage and television actress, while her father, Keith Carradine, is an Oscar-winning actor and musician. Both parents were associated with Broadway’s Hair, and Martha was exposed to theatre from an early age.

She attended Manhattan’s Professional Children’s School, a prestigious institution for young performers, and made her first stage appearance as a child during a curtain call of one of her mother’s productions. Growing up surrounded by artists helped shape her passion for acting and prepared her for an early start in the entertainment industry.

Acting Career

Martha Plimpton made her film debut at just 11 years old in the 1981 political thriller Rollover. Her career gained momentum in the mid-1980s when she appeared in films such as The River Rat (1984) and The Mosquito Coast (1986).

Her true breakthrough came in 1985 when she starred as Stef Steinbrenner in the cult classic The Goonies. The film became a massive commercial success and remains one of the most beloved adventure movies of all time. While Plimpton did not earn blockbuster-level pay from the role, it established her as a recognizable Hollywood name and opened doors to more prominent projects.

Transition to Mature Roles in Film

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Plimpton successfully transitioned from child star to serious actress. She appeared in critically respected films such as:

Running on Empty (1988)
Parenthood (1989)
Stanley & Iris (1990)
I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)
Beautiful Girls (1996)
Pecker (1998)
200 Cigarettes (1999)

While many of these films were modest box-office performers, they reinforced her reputation as a reliable and versatile actress, contributing steadily to her net worth.

Television Success

Television has been one of the most significant contributors to Martha Plimpton’s net worth. She appeared on a wide range of popular series, including ER, Law & Order, Grey’s Anatomy, and 7th Heaven.

Her career reached a new peak with her recurring role as Patti Nyholm on The Good Wife (2009–2013). Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, significantly boosting her profile and earning potential.

From 2010 to 2014, Plimpton starred as Virginia Chance on the Fox sitcom Raising Hope, appearing in 88 episodes. The show was a ratings success, and her lead role provided a stable, multi-year salary that formed a major portion of her wealth.

She later starred in The Real O’Neals, Younger, Generation, and other television projects, ensuring consistent income well into the 2020s.

Broadway

In addition to screen work, Martha Plimpton has built an impressive Broadway and theatre résumé, which plays a crucial role in her financial portfolio. She has appeared in major stage productions including:

Sixteen Wounded
Shining City
The Coast of Utopia
Top Girls
Pal Joey
A Delicate Balance

Her performance in The Coast of Utopia earned her a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. While theatre salaries are generally lower than television pay, long Broadway runs and prestige productions have added both income and longevity to her career.

Voice Acting, Writing, and Producing

Plimpton has also diversified her earnings beyond acting. She has lent her voice to animated films and video games, including:

Frozen II (2019), where she voiced Yelena
Minecraft: Story Mode

She worked as an associate producer on the animated film Hair High and wrote an episode of 7th Heaven, earning additional behind-the-scenes income. These ventures demonstrate her ability to generate revenue across multiple entertainment sectors.

Personal Life

Martha Plimpton has been open about her personal life and is widely known for her political and social activism, particularly in support of women’s reproductive rights. She has served on boards of advocacy organizations and has written extensively on social issues.

While activism does not directly contribute to her net worth, it has shaped her public image as an outspoken and principled figure, which has strengthened her standing in independent film and theatre communities.

Real Estate Investments

Real estate plays a modest but important role in Martha Plimpton’s net worth.

In 2013, she purchased a Brooklyn townhouse, which she extensively renovated and described as a “farmhouse in the middle of the city.”
In 2017, she bought a Los Angeles home for approximately $1.225 million.

These properties represent stable long-term investments that contribute to her overall financial security.

Awards and Career Recognition

Over her career, Plimpton has earned multiple prestigious honors, including:

1 Primetime Emmy Award
3 Emmy nominations
Tony Award nominations
Obie Award
Drama Desk Award
Satellite Award

These accolades have enhanced her professional value and sustained her demand in both television and theatre.