Marcia Cross net worth stands at an impressive $20 million, accumulated through decades of successful acting work. Her financial success stems primarily from television roles, particularly her starring position on Desperate Housewives. The American actress built this fortune through consistent high-profile work and lucrative contracts with major networks.
Her wealth reflects smart financial management and career longevity in competitive Hollywood. Marcia Cross earned substantial income from both Fox Network and ABC Network projects throughout her career. Beyond acting salary, her net worth includes investments and earnings from various entertainment ventures that sustained her financial stability.
| Financial Overview | Details |
| Total Net Worth | $20 Million |
| Primary Income Source | Television Acting |
| Peak Earning Period | 2004-2012 |
| Major Network Partners | Fox, ABC |
Marcia Cross’ Salary
Marcia Cross’ salary reached remarkable heights during her Desperate Housewives tenure. She commanded top-tier compensation reflecting her star power and the show’s massive success. Her earnings placed her among television’s highest-paid actresses during the show’s eight-season run on ABC Network.
The salary per episode she earned demonstrated her value to network television programming. Marcia Cross negotiated favorable contracts that recognized her contribution to the comedy-drama series. Her compensation package included additional benefits beyond base salary, ensuring comprehensive financial rewards for her artistic contributions and promotional efforts.
| Salary Breakdown | Amount |
| Per Episode (Desperate Housewives) | $375,000 |
| Type of Show | Comedy-Drama Series |
| Network | ABC |
| Contract Duration | 8 Seasons |
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What is Marcia Cross’s Net Worth and Salary?
Marcia Cross’s net worth totals $20 million earned through persistent dedication to her craft. Her financial achievements reflect successful navigation of television’s competitive landscape. The American actress leveraged high-profile roles into substantial wealth creation opportunities throughout her extensive career.
Her earnings demonstrate the lucrative potential of sustained television success. Marcia Cross capitalized on opportunities with both Fox Network and ABC Network productions. Her financial portfolio showcases smart career management and the rewards of maintaining professional excellence across multiple decades in entertainment.
Key Financial Highlights:
- Accumulated net worth of $20 million
- Earned through primetime and daytime soap opera roles
- Major earnings from Desperate Housewives
- Strategic career choices maximized income potential
Early Life
Born March 25, 1962, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Marcia Cross grew up in a Catholic household with Irish descent and English descent heritage. Her parents, Janet and Mark, raised three daughters with strong values. Young Marcia showed early interest in performing arts, taking lessons at Ceil Sharon School of Dance and learning piano.
She attended Marlborough High School, serving as the panther mascot at football games while working at Dunkin Donuts. A transformative trip to New York City inspired her acting ambitions. Marcia Cross completed high school early, earning admission to Juilliard School with a half scholarship, graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting degree in 1984.
Early Life Timeline:
- Born in Marlborough, Massachusetts (1962)
- Attended Ceil Sharon School of Dance
- Studied at Tufts University summer program
- Graduated from Juilliard School (1984)
| Educational Journey | Institution | Year |
| High School | Marlborough High School | 1980 |
| Summer Program | Tufts University | Pre-1980 |
| College | Juilliard School | 1984 |
| Degree | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 1984 |
Career
Marcia Cross launched her career on The Edge of Night in 1984, playing Liz Correll. She relocated from New York City to Los Angeles, appearing in “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James” alongside Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Her daytime soap opera work continued with One Life to Live as Kate Sanders in 1986.
Guest appearances on Knots Landing, Who’s the Boss?, and Cheers built her television resume. In 1992, Marcia Cross joined Melrose Place as Dr. Kimberly Shaw, a breakthrough nighttime soap opera role lasting five seasons. Film work included “Bad Influence,” “Just Peck,” and “Always Say Goodbye” while sitcom appearances on Boy Meets World, Seinfeld, and The King of Queens showcased versatility.
Her career peak arrived in 2004 with Desperate Housewives, playing Bree Van de Kamp opposite Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Eva Longoria. The comedy-drama series revitalized ABC Network‘s ratings, earning nominations for Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Marcia Cross won a Satellite Award for her second-season performance in this iconic role.
Career Highlights:
- The Edge of Night debut role (1984)
- Melrose Place breakthrough (Dr. Kimberly Shaw)
- Desperate Housewives starring role (Bree Van de Kamp)
- Multiple award nominations and wins
- Guest spots on CSI, Profiler, Touched by an Angel
| Major Roles | Show/Film | Years | Character |
| Soap Opera | The Edge of Night | 1984 | Liz Correll |
| Daytime Series | One Life to Live | 1986-87 | Kate Sanders |
| Nighttime Drama | Melrose Place | 1992-97 | Dr. Kimberly Shaw |
| Prime Series | Desperate Housewives | 2004-12 | Bree Van de Kamp |
After Desperate Housewives concluded in 2012, Marcia Cross appeared on Fox’s “Fatrick” and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She joined Quantico as President Claire Haas, continuing her television presence. Her diverse roles demonstrated range across comedy and drama genres throughout her extensive career.
Post-Desperate Housewives Work:
- Guest appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Recurring role in Quantico as President Claire Haas
- Continued selective television project involvement
- Focus on quality over quantity in role selection
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Personal Life
Marcia Cross maintained a relationship with actor Richard Jordan from 1985 to 1993. The relationship ended tragically when Jordan, 25 years her senior, passed away from brain cancer. She remained single for years before meeting stockbroker Tom Mahoney in the 2000s, marrying him in 2006 at age 44.
Through in-vitro fertilization, Marcia Cross became pregnant with fraternal twins. She gave birth to daughters Eden Mahoney and Savannah Mahoney in February 2007, shortly before turning 45. Her journey to motherhood demonstrated determination and the rewards of modern reproductive medicine for women choosing later parenthood.
Personal Milestones:
- Relationship with Richard Jordan (1985-1993)
- Marriage to Tom Mahoney (2006)
- Birth of twins Eden and Savannah (2007)
- Used in-vitro fertilization successfully
| Family Life | Details |
| Spouse | Tom Mahoney |
| Marriage Year | 2006 |
| Children | Eden and Savannah (fraternal twins) |
| Birth Year | 2007 |
In 2017, Marcia Cross received an anal cancer diagnosis while Tom Mahoney battled throat cancer, both caused by HPV virus. She maintained privacy until 2018 when announcing cancer remission after successful treatment. Her cancer advocacy work now focuses on reducing stigma surrounding HPV-related cancers.
Marcia Cross spoke at the Atlantic’s People v. Cancer event in 2019, promoting honest discussion about HPV virus. Her openness about anal cancer encourages others facing similar diagnoses. She advocates for education about this common virus that causes various cancers, working to eliminate shame associated with HPV-related conditions.
Health Journey and Advocacy:
- Diagnosed with anal cancer (2017)
- Husband diagnosed with throat cancer
- Both cancers caused by HPV virus
- Achieved cancer remission (2018)
- Active in cancer advocacy efforts
- Speaker at Atlantic’s People v. Cancer event
| Health & Advocacy | Information |
| Diagnosis | Anal Cancer (2017) |
| Cause | HPV Virus |
| Status | Cancer Remission (2018) |
| Advocacy Focus | HPV Awareness |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the actress from Desperate Housewives?
Marcia Cross is a famous American actress known for powerful television performances. Marcia Cross became globally popular after starring as Bree Van de Kamp on ABC drama.
How much money does she earn?
Marcia Cross earned strong income from television acting and long running shows. Marcia Cross received one of the highest per episode salaries during Desperate Housewives peak seasons.
Where was she born and raised?
Marcia Cross was born in Massachusetts and grew up in a creative family setting. Marcia Cross showed early passion for arts dance music and school drama activities.
What are her most popular TV roles?
Marcia Cross played memorable roles in famous television series over decades. Marcia Cross gained iconic status from Melrose Place and Desperate Housewives performances.
Is she still acting today?
Marcia Cross remains active through acting projects, interviews and advocacy work. Marcia Cross continues inspiring fans with resilience, experience and television legacy.
Final Thought
Marcia Cross exemplifies sustained success through talent, perseverance, and professional excellence. Her $20 million net worth and $375,000 salary per episode reflect decades of dedication to craft. From Marlborough, Massachusetts to Hollywood stardom, her journey inspires aspiring actors pursuing entertainment careers with determination and resilience.Her legacy extends beyond Desperate Housewives and Melrose Place into meaningful cancer advocacy work.
Marcia Cross continues impacting lives through honest discussion about HPV virus and related cancers. Her openness about personal challenges, combined with professional achievements, establishes her as both a talented performer and compassionate advocate for important health causes.
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