Marcia Cross Net Worth

Marcia Cross: Net Worth, Salary, Early Life, Career, and Personal Life

What is Marcia Cross’s Net Worth?

Marcia Cross is a celebrated American actress, widely recognized for her memorable roles in television. As of 2024, Marcia Cross’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million. This impressive figure reflects her successful career spanning several decades, marked by iconic performances in popular television series.

Marcia Cross’s Salary

One of Marcia Cross’s most notable roles was as Bree Van de Kamp in the hit series “Desperate Housewives.” During her time on the show, Cross earned a substantial salary, reflecting the show’s popularity and her status as a lead actress. Her salary per episode of Desperate Housewives was a remarkable $375,000, which contributed significantly to her overall net worth.

(Photo by Jason Merritt/FilmMagic)

Early Life and Education

Marcia Cross’s journey began on March 25, 1962, in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Born to Janet, a teacher, and Mark, a personal manager, she grew up with two sisters, Susan and Ellen, in a Catholic household. From a young age, Cross showed an affinity for the arts. She took dance lessons at the Ceil Sharon School of Dance and learned to play the piano, nurturing her creative inclinations.

During her high school years at Marlborough High School, Cross actively participated in school activities, even taking on the role of the high school mascot. She balanced her extracurriculars with a part-time job at Dunkin’ Donuts. Her involvement in the drama department and a formative trip to New York City to experience theater productions solidified her ambition to pursue acting. Cross attended a summer drama program at Tufts University and starred in school productions, including “The Witch of Blackbird Pond.” Demonstrating her dedication, she completed her high school studies early to audition for college theater programs, ultimately earning a half scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting in 1984, setting the stage for her professional career.

Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame

Following her graduation from Juilliard, Cross started her professional acting career with a role on the soap opera “The Edge of Night” in 1984, playing Liz Correll. This initial role marked her transition from New York to Los Angeles to pursue more opportunities. She soon landed a role in the television film “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James,” alongside Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, expanding her early repertoire.

In 1986, Cross joined the cast of ABC’s “One Life to Live,” playing Kate Sanders for a year. She continued to make guest appearances on primetime shows, including “Knots Landing,” “Who’s the Boss?,” and “Cheers,” steadily building her primetime resume. In 1992, Cross achieved significant recognition with her role as Dr. Kimberly Shaw on the Fox primetime show “Melrose Place,” where she remained for five seasons. During this period, she also took on film roles in movies like “Bad Influence,” “Just Peck,” and “Always Say Goodbye.” Her versatility and ability to move between genres was evident in her appearances on both comedic sitcoms such as “Boy Meets World,” “Seinfeld,” and “The King of Queens,” and dramatic programs like “CSI,” “Profiler,” and “Touched by an Angel.”

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The year 2004 marked a turning point in Cross’s career when she was cast as Bree Van de Kamp in the ABC prime-time series “Desperate Housewives.” Starring alongside Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Eva Longoria, the show was an immediate success with both critics and audiences. “Desperate Housewives” played a crucial role in revitalizing the ABC Network’s ratings and viewership. The show, which ran for eight seasons until 2012, garnered numerous accolades, including Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations. Cross received individual nominations and won a Satellite Award for her outstanding performance in the show’s second season. “Desperate Housewives” remains one of the most significant roles in her career, contributing substantially to her fame and financial success.

Following “Desperate Housewives,” Cross took on a variety of roles, including a part in the short-lived Fox show “Fatrick” and a guest spot on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” She also took on a recurring role as President Claire Haas in the ABC thriller “Quantico,” demonstrating her continued versatility and dedication to her craft.

Personal Life and Health Challenges

Marcia Cross’s personal life has also been a significant aspect of her public persona. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Richard Jordan from 1985 to 1993. Tragically, Jordan, who was 25 years older than Cross, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1993 and passed away the same year. Cross remained single for several years until she met Tom Mahoney, a stockbroker, in the 2000s. They married in 2006 when Cross was 44 years old. Shortly after, she underwent in-vitro fertilization and became pregnant with twins. She gave birth to fraternal twin daughters, Eden and Savannah, in February 2007, just before her 45th birthday. This period marked a joyful chapter in her personal life.

In 2017, Cross was diagnosed with anal cancer, a diagnosis she initially kept private. Both Cross and her husband were diagnosed with cancers believed to be related to the HPV virus. In 2018, after treatment, Cross announced she was in remission, leading her to become an advocate for open discussions about HPV and related cancers. She has since been vocal about her experience, aiming to reduce the stigma associated with anal cancer and HPV. She has participated in events such as the Atlantic’s People v. Cancer event in 2019. Through her advocacy, Cross has worked to promote awareness about HPV, its potential health risks, and the importance of open communication about these issues, demonstrating courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

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Marcia Cross’s Enduring Legacy

Marcia Cross has left an indelible mark on the world of television. From her early roles in soap operas to her breakthrough performance in “Melrose Place” and her iconic portrayal of Bree Van de Kamp in “Desperate Housewives,” Cross has demonstrated an impressive range and versatility. Her career has spanned multiple decades, and she has remained a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Beyond her acting career, Cross’s openness about her personal struggles and her advocacy for health awareness have further endeared her to the public, cementing her legacy as not only a talented actress but also a courageous and compassionate individual.