Dick Ebersol Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Explore Dick Ebersol’s net worth, relationships, age/birthdate and birthday — the full story of his media empire and personal life.

Dick Ebersol Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Dick Ebersol Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Dick Ebersol Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Dick Ebersol is a television executive and media mogul recognized for co-creating a late-night comedy phenomenon and transforming sports broadcasting at a network scale.

Introduction

Duncan Richard “Dick” Ebersol was born on July 28, 1947 (birthday: July 28). As a pivotal figure in television and sports broadcasting, he rose from an Olympic researcher into the chairman of one of America’s major sports networks. His estimated net worth stands in the tens of millions of dollars; his personal life includes a long marriage to actress Susan Saint James and a blended family life marked by triumph and tragedy.

Quick Facts

Category Details
Full Name Duncan Richard “Dick” Ebersol
Age/Birthdate July 28, 1947
Birthday July 28
Nationality United States
Profession Television executive, media producer, sports-broadcasting pioneer
Estimated Net Worth ~$50 million (various estimates) 
Relationship Status Married to Susan Saint James since 1981 
Known For Co-creating Saturday Night Live, leading NBC Sports & Olympics coverage

From Early Ambition to Industry Game-Changer

Ebersol’s story begins in Torrington, Connecticut, where he was born to Mary and Charles R. Ebersol.  After attending Yale University, he dropped out to become the first Olympic researcher for ABC Sports under the leadership of Roone Arledge. 

At NBC, in 1974–75, Ebersol played a key part in launching Saturday Night Live alongside Lorne Michaels, then steered the network’s sports rights acquisitions, including the Olympics and major pro-sports leagues. 

Defining moments in Dick Ebersol’s journey include:

  • Accepting a role as ABC’s first Olympic researcher after leaving Yale

  • Helping conceptualize and launch Saturday Night Live in the mid-1970s

  • Leading NBC Sports into major rights deals for the NFL, NBA, MLB and the Olympics

  • Navigating personal and professional crisis after a 2004 plane crash that claimed his son Teddy’s life

The Core Pillars of Dick Ebersol’s Wealth

Ebersol built wealth through strategic leadership, production deals, and media rights.

  • Media Rights & Executive Roles: As chairman of NBC Sports, he negotiated high-stakes deals for the Olympics and NFL that fundamentally shifted network sports business. 

  • Production Company/Partnerships: He founded No Sleep Productions and steered shows like Friday Night Videos and Later with Bob Costas. 

  • Real Estate & Investments: Public records show a $6.7 million purchase of a modern farmhouse in Cheviot Hills, Los Angeles—evidence of asset diversification. 

Relationships & Family Life

Ebersol’s personal life has been shaped by long-standing partnership, blended family dynamics, and profound loss.
In 1976 he married former game-show host Susan Stafford; the marriage ended by 1981.  He married actress Susan Saint James in 1981, and together they had three sons: Charlie, Willie and Teddy.  Tragically, Teddy died in a plane crash in 2004. 

Key insights into Dick Ebersol’s relationships and personal life:

  • He and Susan Saint James have maintained a strong partnership across decades

  • Their blended family includes step-children from Saint James’s prior marriage

  • The 2004 crash deeply impacted their family trajectory and philanthropic commitments

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career milestones, Ebersol curates a lifestyle centered on media, sports, and legacy.

  • He and Susan Saint James purchased a high-end property in Los Angeles for $6.7 million—a modern farmhouse in Cheviot Hills.

  • He remains active in sports philanthropy, including memorial projects honoring his late son Teddy. 

  • Hobbies include deep engagement with Olympic storytelling and mentorship of broadcast talent. 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Estimating Dick Ebersol’s net worth involves reconciling several sources.

Category Estimated Value Source
Business Ventures ~$40 million MarketRealist estimating ~$50 M 
Brand Deals & Partnerships ~$5 million CelebrityNetWorth ~$60 M total 
Investments & Assets ~$5–10 million Real estate and other holdings

Analysis: Multiple outlets cluster his net worth between ~$50 million and ~$60 million. Some discrepancies arise from varying definitions of income (ongoing advisory roles, residuals from rights deals). A key driver was the longevity and scale of his NBC sports rights negotiations, which established lucrative recurring revenue streams.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Dick Ebersol holds a unique place in media: he helped shape both late-night comedy and prime-time sports broadcasting. Colleagues laud his production craftsmanship and visionary approach to live-event television.  His public image blends executive command with personal humanity—his family’s response to tragedy has become part of his narrative of resilience.

In the sports broadcast world, his legacy includes:

  • Establishing production and rights models still used by networks today

  • Mentoring talent across generations through his advisory role at NBC

  • Investing in infrastructure and philanthropy connected to his family history

Conclusion

Dick Ebersol’s story is one of innovation, endurance and reinvention. Born July 28, 1947, he parlayed early ambition into leadership at the highest echelons of television and sports. His net worth—estimated in the vicinity of $50–60 million—reflects not only past successes but sustained influence. His marriage to Susan Saint James anchors his personal narrative, while both family triumphs and tragedies illustrate his human depth. Whether by co-creating Saturday Night Live or negotiating Olympic broadcast rights, Ebersol’s legacy is an enduring testament to vision and perseverance.