Jonathan Frakes' Net Worth: How Commander Riker’s Stellar Career Built A $25 Million Fortune

Jonathan Frakes, the iconic actor and director best known globally as Commander William T. Riker from the *Star Trek: The Next Generation* universe, has built an impressive financial portfolio that extends far beyond the bridge of the USS Enterprise. As of late 2025, his net worth is reported to be an estimated $25 million, a figure often cited as a combined wealth with his wife, soap opera legend Genie Francis. This substantial fortune is a testament to a decades-long career that smoothly transitioned from a leading man in front of the camera to a prolific, highly sought-after television director.

His continued involvement in the revitalized *Star Trek* franchise, alongside new directing projects like the upcoming *Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime* miniseries and the highly anticipated *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy*, ensures his earning power remains robust. Frakes’s ability to command high salaries for his acting roles, secure lucrative director fees for major films, and earn steady residuals from his hosting gig on *Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction* has cemented his status as one of Hollywood's most financially successful multi-hyphenates.

Jonathan Frakes: Full Biography and Career Milestones

Jonathan Scott Frakes was born on August 19, 1952, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. His journey to becoming a starship first officer and a celebrated director is marked by a consistent work ethic across multiple entertainment mediums.

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• Full Name: Jonathan Scott Frakes
• Date of Birth: August 19, 1952
• Place of Birth: Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Wife: Genie Francis (Married 1988)
• Children: Jameson Ivor Frakes, Elizabeth Francis Frakes
• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from Penn State University; Master of Arts from Harvard University (American Repertory Theater)
• Major Acting Roles: Commander William T. Riker (*Star Trek: The Next Generation*, *Star Trek: Picard*, *Star Trek: Generations*, *Star Trek: First Contact*, *Star Trek: Insurrection*, *Star Trek: Nemesis*); Host (*Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction*)
• Major Directing Credits: *Star Trek: First Contact*, *Star Trek: Insurrection*, *Clockstoppers*, *Thunderbirds*, and numerous TV episodes across multiple franchises.
• Current Projects (2025-2026): Directing episodes of *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy*, *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds*, and the miniseries *Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime*.

The Star Trek Stardom: Analyzing Riker’s Lucrative Earnings

The foundation of Jonathan Frakes's considerable net worth is undoubtedly his 15-year tenure as Commander William T. Riker, a role that spanned seven seasons of television and four feature films. The financial trajectory of the main cast members of *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (TNG) saw a massive increase in earnings from the start of the series to its cinematic run.

TNG Television Salary and Residuals

While early TNG seasons saw main cast members earning in the range of $40,000 to $45,000 per episode, this figure increased substantially as the show became a global phenomenon. For a series that ran for 178 episodes, the cumulative salary alone was significant. More importantly, the continuous worldwide syndication of *Star Trek: The Next Generation* provides the cast with a steady stream of residuals, a passive income source that continues to generate wealth decades later.

Blockbuster Film Paydays

Frakes’s biggest paychecks came from his work on the *Star Trek* feature films, especially when he stepped into the director's chair. His reported earnings from the movie era include:

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• *Star Trek: Generations* (1994): An estimated $400,000 for his acting role.
• *Star Trek: First Contact* (1996): A massive $5 million, which covered both his acting salary and his fee for directing the film.
• *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998): While his exact salary is less publicized, it is believed to be in the multi-million dollar range, similar to his *First Contact* payday, as he also directed this film.

The $5 million for *First Contact* alone represents a massive single-project earning that few actors outside of the A-list can command. This financial success is a clear indicator of the value he brought to the franchise, both as an actor and as a director.

The Director’s Chair: A Highly Profitable Second Career

Jonathan Frakes’s transition to directing is arguably the most financially stabilizing and professionally rewarding aspect of his career. Unlike many actors, Frakes's directing credits are not limited to the franchise that made him famous. This diversification of his skills and income streams is crucial to his high net worth.

Non-Star Trek Feature Films and TV Directing

Beyond his work on the Enterprise, Frakes has directed two major non-Trek feature films, *Clockstoppers* (2002) and *Thunderbirds* (2004). However, his most prolific and profitable work has been in television, where he is consistently hired to helm episodes of high-budget, popular series. Directing fees for a single episode of a major network or streaming show can be substantial, and Frakes’s reputation for efficiency and quality makes him a top choice.

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Key directing credits that have bolstered his wealth and topical authority include:

• *Roswell* (1999–2002)
• *Leverage* (2008–2012)
• *Castle* (2009–2016)
• *Burn Notice* (2007–2013)
• *The Librarians* (2014–2018)
• *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009–2023)
• *The Orville* (2017–Present)

Continued Star Trek Directing in the Modern Era

Frakes remains an integral part of the modern *Star Trek* renaissance, directing episodes for a new generation of shows. His work on *Star Trek: Discovery*, *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds*, and *Star Trek: Picard* provides him with high-value contracts and director's guild payments, ensuring his continued financial success deep into the 2020s. His commitment to directing episodes for the upcoming *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy* further solidifies his role as a high-earning industry veteran.

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction and Other Income Streams

A unique and persistent source of income for Frakes comes from his role as the host of the cult classic paranormal series, *Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction*. Frakes hosted the show from 1998 to 2002, and the series has gained a massive following and a new life through streaming and syndication, generating continuous residuals for his hosting work.

Voice Acting and Appearances

Frakes has also leveraged his distinctive voice and persona for various side projects. He has done voice acting for animated series, including a reprisal of Riker in *Star Trek: Lower Decks*. Furthermore, his frequent and popular appearances at fan conventions, particularly *Star Trek* conventions, provide significant appearance fees, often in the tens of thousands of dollars per event, adding to his overall financial picture.

Real Estate and Investments

Jonathan Frakes's net worth is also supported by his personal assets, which he shares with his wife, Genie Francis. The couple has maintained a long-term presence in the competitive Californian real estate market, with reported properties in areas like Calabasas and Tarzana. While specific details on his investment portfolio are private, the consistent income from his acting and directing careers suggests a well-managed financial strategy that includes real estate holdings and other long-term investments.

In conclusion, Jonathan Frakes’s $25 million combined net worth is a richly deserved accumulation of wealth. It is the result of a rare career duality: a legendary acting role that provided a massive platform, coupled with a highly successful and prolific career as a director of both blockbuster films and premium television. His continued work on projects like *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds* and *Starfleet Academy* ensures that the financial success of Commander Riker is still very much a part of the present.