Joanna Kerns Net Worth

Joanna Kerns’ Net Worth: A Look at the Actress, Director, and Breast Cancer Survivor

Introduction

Joanna Kerns is a multifaceted American talent, excelling as an actress, director, writer, and producer. While many remember her fondly as Maggie Seaver on the beloved sitcom “Growing Pains,” her career extends far beyond, encompassing a diverse range of roles in film and television. This article delves into Joanna Kerns’ net worth, exploring her journey through Hollywood, her impactful work both in front of and behind the camera, and her personal life, including her battle with breast cancer.

Early Life and Family

Joanna Kerns, born Joanna Crussie DeVarona on February 12, 1953, in San Francisco, California, comes from a family with diverse backgrounds and achievements. Her mother, Martha, managed a clothing store, and her father, David, worked as an insurance agent. She has three siblings: Donna, David, and Kurt. Her sister Donna’s athletic prowess, including winning two Olympic gold medals for swimming in 1964, served as a significant influence in her life. Kerns’ connection to the world of entertainment runs deeper, as she is the niece of Miriam Cooper, a silent film actress known for her roles in “The Birth of a Nation” and “Intolerance.” Growing up, she experienced a competitive dynamic with her sister Donna, stating that she felt a pressure to replicate her sister’s success. While she initially took up swimming, she later pursued gymnastics, even competing in the Olympic trials in 1968, where she ranked 14th out of 28 competitors. Her academic pursuits led her to UCLA, where she majored in dance, before dropping out to pursue acting.

Acting Career: From Guest Spots to “Growing Pains”

Kerns’ acting career began in the mid-1970s, with her television debut in the TV movie “It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman!” in 1975. She then transitioned to film with her role in “Ape” in 1976. Her early career involved numerous guest appearances on popular television series of the era, including “Starsky and Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Love Boat,” “Three’s Company,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The A-Team,” and “Laverne & Shirley.” These roles helped establish her presence in the industry. Alongside her episodic work, she also starred in several made-for-TV movies such as “The Million Dollar Rip-Off,” “Marriage Is Alive and Well,” and “A Wedding on Walton’s Mountain.” A notable film role came in 1978 with the Michael Crichton-directed “Coma,” where she co-starred with Geneviève Bujold and Michael Douglas. Her performance in the 1983 science-fiction miniseries “V” added another dimension to her resume. The year 1984 brought her a starring role as Pat Devon on the CBS series “The Four Seasons.” However, her breakthrough role arrived in 1985 when she was cast as Maggie Seaver in the ABC sitcom “Growing Pains.” The series proved to be a major success, running for seven seasons and 166 episodes, and cementing her status as a household name. The cast later reunited for the TV movies “The Growing Pains Movie” (2000) and “Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers” (2004), with Kerns directing the latter and also the 1992 episode “The Truck Stops Here” (her directorial debut).

During her time on “Growing Pains,” Kerns continued to take on roles in television movies such as “A Bunny’s Tale,” “Mistress,” “The Preppie Murder,” and “Blind Faith.” She also appeared in films like “Cross My Heart” and “An American Summer.” In 1999, she was part of an ensemble cast, appearing alongside Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, and Brittany Murphy in “Girl, Interrupted.”

Getty Images

Directing Career: Behind the Scenes in Hollywood

While continuing to act, Joanna Kerns expanded her creative endeavors into directing. After her directorial debut on “Growing Pains,” she directed episodes of various television series. She directed episodes of “Hope & Gloria,” “Clueless,” “Suddenly Susan,” and “Love Boat: The Next Wave.” In the 2000s, she increasingly focused on directing, including episodes of “Any Day Now,” “The Division,” “One Tree Hill,” “Phil of the Future,” “Dr. Vegas,” “Joan of Arcadia,” “Related,” and “Ghost Whisperer.” From 2007 to 2012, she directed eight episodes of “Army Wives,” and between 2012 and 2016, she helmed four episodes of “Pretty Little Liars.” She also directed episodes of “Jane the Virgin,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “The Goldbergs,” “Fuller House,” “Light as a Feather,” and “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” Additionally, she took on a co-executive producer role on “A Million Little Things” and directed several episodes, including the season four finale. Her directing credits showcase her versatility and her ability to work across different genres and networks.

Personal Life and Health: Marriage, Divorce, and Breast Cancer

Joanna Kerns’ personal life has included two marriages. She married commercial producer Richard Kerns on December 11, 1976, two years after they met on the set of a commercial. They had a daughter, Ashley, born on September 25, 1978, but divorced in 1985. She then married architect Marc Appleton on September 30, 1994, and filed for divorce in August 2019. In December 2016, her “Growing Pains” co-star Alan Thicke passed away. Kerns released a heartfelt statement about the loss, reflecting on their close friendship and the unique bond they formed while playing a married couple on the show. Beyond her professional and personal life, Kerns has been open about her health. She is a breast cancer survivor. In October 2017, she shared her story with “Today,” revealing that she was diagnosed with noninvasive DCIS and had a tumor that measured nearly 5 centimeters. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy in December 2016. Kerns highlighted the impact of her diagnosis, reflecting on how it changed her perspective on her health and life.

Awards and Real Estate

In 2020, Kerns’ directing skills were recognized with a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Children’s or Young Adult Program for “Light as a Feather.” Her real estate portfolio is noteworthy. She and Marc have owned several homes together, primarily in Southern California. In 2020, following their split, they sold their Montecito home, known as “Villa Corbeau,” for $8.35 million. The property, purchased in 1993 for $730,000, featured a 4,167-square-foot house on a 1.75-acre lot, with three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. This sale reflects her success and the value of her assets.

Conclusion

Joanna Kerns’ net worth reflects her successful career in Hollywood as an actress, director, and producer. From her breakout role in “Growing Pains” to her prolific directing career, Kerns has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry. Her personal journey, including her fight with breast cancer, highlights her resilience and strength. Joanna Kerns continues to be an inspiration, leaving a lasting legacy through her diverse body of work.