Jim O’Heir Net Worth

What is Jim O’Heir’s Net Worth and Career?

Jim O’Heir, the beloved American actor and comedian, has captivated audiences with his comedic timing and memorable performances. Best known for his role as Jerry Gergich in the NBC series “Parks and Recreation,” O’Heir has built a successful career spanning stage, film, and television. This article delves into Jim O’Heir’s net worth, exploring his journey from the comedy scene in Chicago to his current status as a well-regarded actor with an estimated net worth of $3 million.

Early Life

Born James O’Heir on February 4, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, Jim O’Heir’s early life laid the foundation for his future success. He attended Thornton Fractional South High School and later pursued higher education at Loyola University Chicago. While there is limited information available about his specific academic pursuits, his time in Chicago undoubtedly influenced his comedic sensibilities, given the city’s rich history in comedy and improv.

Stage Career

O’Heir’s journey into the world of entertainment began on the stage. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he honed his skills at The Second City, a renowned improvisational theater in Chicago, where he developed the comedic chops that would later define his on-screen performances. He joined the sketch comedy troupe White Noise in 1987 and performed in “The Book of Blanche” the following year. His stage work during this period provided a crucial training ground, allowing him to experiment with different comedic styles and perfect his timing.

In 1989, O’Heir took on the role of Norman Bulansky in an Edgewater Theatre Center production of Tom Griffin’s “The Boys Next Door.” The following year, he appeared in “Stumpy’s Gang” with White Noise, which developed a cult following and was performed at the Stage Left Theatre and Strawdog Theatre. O’Heir’s involvement in “Ad-Nauseam” with White Noise further showcased his versatility. Later, he played Dale Harding in a stage adaptation of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at The Theatre District (now known as the El Centro Theatre) in Hollywood. These diverse stage roles underscore his commitment to the craft and helped establish him as a versatile performer before transitioning to the screen.

Film and Television Career

Jim O’Heir transitioned seamlessly from the stage to the screen, embarking on a prolific film and television career. His television debut came in a 1993 episode of “The Untouchables,” and his first film role was in 1996’s “Ed.” That same year, he appeared in the TV movies “Harvey” and “The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best.” His guest appearances on popular shows such as “Party of Five,” “ER,” and “3rd Rock from the Sun” introduced him to a wider audience.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, O’Heir continued to build his resume with roles in short films like “Spike” (1998) and “In God We Trust” (2000), and guest spots on series including “Ellen” (1997), “Just Shoot Me!” (1997, 2002), “Step by Step” (1998), “The Drew Carey Show” (1998), “Diagnosis: Murder” (1999), “Ally McBeal” (1999), and “The Norm Show” (2000). He showcased his comedic talents in the Comedy Central series “Strip Mall” from 2000 to 2001, playing Harv Krudup. Around this time, he made guest appearances on “Malcolm in the Middle” (2001), “Dharma & Greg” (2001), “George Lopez” (2002), and “Grounded for Life” (2003).

A significant moment in O’Heir’s career came in 2004 when he appeared in the “Friends” episode “The One with the Birth Mother,” playing an adoption agency worker. His versatility was further demonstrated through guest roles on “American Dreams,” “Cold Case,” and “Boston Legal.” In 2006, he appeared in the films “Accepted” and “Comedy Hell” and guest-starred on television shows like “Monk,” “Desperate Housewives,” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”

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The role that would define his career arrived in 2009 with “Parks and Recreation.” O’Heir starred as Jerry Gergich (also known as Larry, Garry, and Terry) for 121 episodes over seven seasons. His portrayal of the lovable, often-misunderstood Jerry resonated with audiences, making him a fan favorite and solidifying his place in television history. He also participated in “A Parks and Recreation Special” in 2020, reuniting with his castmates.

While on “Parks and Recreation,” O’Heir continued to work on films like “Armed Response” (2013), “Naughty & Nice” (2014), “Road Hard” (2015), and “Life in Color” (2015), as well as TV movies such as “Safe Harbor” (2009), “My Santa” (2013), “The Wrong Woman” (2013), and “Fatal Acquittal” (2014). He also made guest appearances on shows like “Castle” (2009), “Parenthood” (2011), “Rizzoli & Isles” (2011), “The Mentalist” (2012), and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2013). In 2012, he co-starred with Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.” He also appeared in “Life After Beth” (2014) alongside his “Parks and Recreation” co-star Aubrey Plaza.

In 2016, he added more films to his resume, including “Mind Over Mindy,” “Halloweed,” “The Dust Storm,” “Middle Man,” “Range 15,” and “Astronaut Camp,” as well as appearances in the TV shows “Another Period,” “Veep,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” In 2016, he also began a six-episode role as Matt Cannistra on the CBS soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful,” a role that earned him a Daytime Emmy Award. This marked a significant achievement in his career.

In 2017, O’Heir co-starred with “Parks and Recreation” alum Jenny Slate in “Landline” and appeared in the Steven Soderbergh heist film “Logan Lucky,” with an ensemble cast including Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Seth MacFarlane, Katie Holmes, and Daniel Craig. He continued to take on diverse roles in films like “Take Me” (2017), “Dance Baby Dance” (2018), “When Jeff Tried to Save the World” (2018), “The Last Whistle” (2019), and “Violet” (2021). He also appeared in the neo-noir thriller “Bad Times at the El Royale” (2018), alongside Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, and Chris Hemsworth. O’Heir also guest-starred on “Speechless” (2017), “Superior Donuts” (2017), “Bill Nye Saves the World” (2017), “Alone Together” (2018), “The Neighborhood” (2019), and “Criminal Minds” (2020), and he had a recurring role as Kent on the ABC sitcom “Bless This Mess” in 2019. Further showcasing his versatility, he appeared in The Lonely Island’s 2019 Netflix special “The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience” and had a recurring role in the web series “Liza on Demand” from 2019 to 2020. He also contributed his voice to the short film “H@” (1999), the web series “Dr. Havoc’s Diary” (2016), and the television shows “Harvey Beaks” (2016) and “Big City Greens” (2020).

Awards and Nominations

Throughout his career, Jim O’Heir has been recognized for his talent with several awards and nominations. He won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series for “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 2017. He received a Silver Crown for Best Supporting Actor for “Heavens to Betsy 2” at the 2019 ICVM Crown Awards. “Heavens to Betsy 2” also earned him a Divine Inspiration Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Hollywood Divine International Film Festival and a Best Supporting Actor: Feature Film nomination at the International Christian Film Festival. The “Smothered by Mothers” cast was named Best Ensemble at the 2017 New York Film Awards, and Jim and his “Every 21 Seconds” co-stars won the Best Ensemble award at the 2018 Festigious International Film Festival. These accolades are testaments to his ability to deliver memorable performances and his contributions to ensemble casts.