Pretty, Pretty Rich: Larry David’s $400 Million Net Worth And How Seinfeld Syndication Made Him An Annual Fortune

Larry David’s net worth is consistently estimated at a staggering $400 million as of late 2025, solidifying his status as one of the wealthiest comedians and television producers in history. This immense fortune is not just from his decades of work, but primarily from one of the most lucrative and enduring television deals of all time: the syndication of *Seinfeld*. Despite his famously curmudgeonly on-screen persona on *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, David is a certified financial genius who secured a piece of television history that continues to pay him tens of millions of dollars every single year. His financial story is a fascinating blend of brilliant contract negotiation, massive television success, and a legendary divorce settlement that reshaped his entire portfolio.

Larry David: Biography and Professional Profile

Lawrence Gene David, known universally as Larry David, is an American icon in comedy and television, whose observational humor and cringe-worthy social commentary have influenced generations of writers and performers. His career trajectory from a struggling stand-up comic to a television mogul is a testament to his unique comedic vision.

• Full Name: Lawrence Gene David
• Born: July 2, 1947
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Age (as of 2025): 78 years old
• Occupations: Comedian, Writer, Actor, Director, Television Producer
• Spouse(s): Laurie David (m. 1993; div. 2007), Ashley Underwood (m. 2020)
• Children: 2 (Cazzie David, Romy David)
• Key Career Highlights: Co-Creator/Writer of Seinfeld (1989–1998), Creator/Star of Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999–2024), Writer for Saturday Night Live.
• Awards: Multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, Writers Guild of America Awards.

The Seinfeld Syndication Deal: Larry David’s Annual $50 Million Paycheck

The core of Larry David’s colossal net worth is his co-creation of *Seinfeld* with Jerry Seinfeld. While the show was a massive hit during its original run, the real financial windfall came from its sale into syndication.

The Billion-Dollar Decision

When *Seinfeld* was sold into its first round of syndication in 1995, it generated approximately $1.7 billion. Unlike the main cast members, who famously did not receive a piece of the back-end syndication revenue, David and Jerry Seinfeld held onto a significant ownership stake in the show. This decision proved to be one of the most profitable in television history.

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As the show has continued to generate revenue—reportedly over $3.1 billion since 1995—David’s share has translated into a guaranteed, colossal annual income. Estimates suggest that Larry David earns somewhere between $40 million and $50 million every year from *Seinfeld* royalties, syndication fees, and merchandise sales alone.

This massive, passive income stream is the primary reason his net worth remains consistently high, even after the conclusion of his other major projects. It is a true example of an annuity generated by a single, successful creative work.

Curb Your Enthusiasm and the Impact of His Divorce

While *Seinfeld* provides the foundation for his wealth, his long-running HBO comedy, *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, added hundreds of millions of dollars to his portfolio. David served as the creator, head writer, and star of the series for 12 seasons, which concluded its run in 2024.

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A Lucrative HBO Deal

As the driving force behind *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, David commanded a massive salary and retained significant ownership and creative control. While his exact salary per episode is not publicly disclosed, his compensation package for the critically acclaimed and highly successful HBO show would place him among the highest-paid television stars and producers. The show’s entire library of episodes represents a valuable asset that continues to generate royalties and streaming revenue for David.

The Cost of the Divorce Settlement

A major financial event that significantly impacted David’s total net worth was his 2007 divorce from environmental activist Laurie David. The two were married for 14 years and had two daughters. Due to California’s community property laws, which typically split assets 50/50, the settlement was substantial.

Reports at the time indicated that the divorce settlement was valued between $200 million and $300 million, a figure that included a portion of his future *Seinfeld* and *Curb Your Enthusiasm* syndication income. This single event explains why his net worth, while extraordinary, is less than that of his co-creator, Jerry Seinfeld, who is a billionaire.

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The FTX Controversy and Other Ventures

In addition to his television empire, David has engaged in various other high-profile ventures, including a recent financial controversy that brought his name into the news.

The FTX Super Bowl Ad Lawsuit

In 2022, Larry David starred in a high-profile Super Bowl commercial for the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The ad featured David dismissing various historical innovations, including the wheel, the lightbulb, and finally, cryptocurrency. Following the collapse of FTX, David, along with other celebrity endorsers like Tom Brady and Shaquille O'Neal, was named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit filed by investors who lost money.

While the financial outcome of this legal battle remains to be fully determined, the incident is a fresh, relevant detail in David’s financial history, demonstrating the risks associated with celebrity endorsements.

Broadway and Film Projects

David has also added to his wealth through successful projects outside of his two major television shows. He wrote and starred in the 2013 Broadway play *Fish in the Dark*, which was a commercial success, and has appeared in films such as Woody Allen's *Whatever Works* and *Clear History* on HBO. These projects, while smaller than his television work, contribute to his overall financial portfolio and topical authority in the entertainment world.

Ultimately, Larry David's $400 million net worth is a direct result of his unwavering commitment to his unique, often misanthropic, comedic voice. From the brilliance of the *Seinfeld* episode "The Contest" to the improvised genius of *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, his financial success story is, in his own words, "pretty, pretty good."