Drew Carey Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Unconventional Rise of a Comedic Icon

Drew Carey was born on May 23, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio — a date that marks his birthday and defines the beginning of a journey from modest beginnings to the heights of television fame.  Raised as the youngest of three brothers in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland, Drew confronted the early loss of his father at age eight and navigated a troubled academic path before eventually enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1980. 

That disciplined, un-glamorous start — serving as a field radio operator in the 25th Marine Regiment — shaped a work ethic and grounded sensibility that would later inform his comedic voice. After leaving the military, a variety of menial jobs preceded his discovery of stand-up comedy. What followed was a slow burn: after entering comedy in 1985, Drew Carey steadily honed his humor and eventually broke through.

From Stand-Up to Sitcom Stardom

Carey’s big break came in the mid-1990s, when he launched The Drew Carey Show — a sitcom loosely inspired by his own life in Cleveland. The show resonated widely with viewers for its mix of dry wit, heart, and relatable blue-collar humor, and it ran successfully from 1995 through 2004. 

Parallel to his sitcom success, Carey also became a familiar face to fans of improv-comedy television via Whose Line Is It Anyway?, which he hosted from 1998 until 2007. That role showcased — and amplified — his quick wit and affable hosting presence.

Then, in 2007, Carey stepped into the role many now associate with him most: host of the long-running game show The Price Is Right on CBS. He assumed hosting duties on October 15, 2007 — a pivot that not only extended his television career, but cemented his status as a versatile entertainer capable of thriving across comedy, sitcoms, and live-audience game shows.

Building Wealth Beyond Laughter

The financial fruits of Carey’s varied career are significant. According to publicly available estimates, his net worth stands at approximately US$165 million, a sum that reflects decades of steady earning from sitcoms, hosting gigs, stand-up comedy, and related ventures.

Notably, his hosting job on The Price Is Right reportedly brings in around US$12.5 million per year.  Additional revenue streams likely include royalties from his earlier shows, stand-up specials, and perhaps wise investments — including a stake in the Major League Soccer team Seattle Sounders FC. 

The mix of long-term television success and diversified ventures has allowed Carey to translate cultural influence into enduring financial stability — a journey that moves beyond the “flashy celebrity” stereotype.

Personal Life: Relationships, Losses, and Private Battles

Despite long-term stardom, Carey’s personal life has been relatively private and complex. He has never married, though he has had relationships serious enough to prompt engagement. In 2007, he became engaged to Nicole Jaracz — but the engagement was called off in 2012. During their time together, Carey served as a stepfather to Jaracz’s son from a previous relationship, and has maintained a presence in his life even after the breakup.

Later, in 2017, Carey began dating Amie Harwick, a licensed marriage and family therapist. The pair became engaged in January 2018. However, the engagement ended later that same year. Carey has admitted that the pressures of fame played a role in the split.

The relationship with Harwick left a lasting emotional impact. After her tragic death in early 2020 — when Harwick was murdered by her ex-boyfriend — Carey publicly acknowledged the grief and trauma associated with loss. He has been candid about the void left behind, and how memories of her continue to affect him. 

As of the last public update, Carey is not married and his current relationship status is described as “unknown.”

Why Drew Carey Matters: More Than Just a TV Personality

What makes Drew Carey’s story compelling is not only the humor or the fame — but resilience and reinvention. He transformed a challenging upbringing and a modest start in life (including military service and odd jobs) into a career spanning decades. From stand-up clubs to sitcom sets, and from improv stages to bright game-show lights, Carey has repeatedly adapted, evolving alongside the entertainment industry rather than being sidelined by it.

He also stands out as a case study in how longevity in entertainment can translate into substantial wealth — not just via headline-paying roles, but through sustained returns (royalties, investments, diversified ventures). His affiliation with sports (through his soccer team ownership) and other business interests shows a pragmatic awareness of asset diversification beyond Hollywood’s fickleness.

At the same time, Carey’s personal life — marked by love, heartbreak, grief, and a degree of privacy — adds depth to his public persona. It underscores the challenges behind the laughter, reminding us that success doesn’t make one immune to hardship.

In sum, Drew Carey’s journey — from a working-class upbringing in Cleveland to becoming a television icon with a substantial net worth — is a testament to persistence, adaptability, and talent. His birthday, May 23, 1958, marks not just the passage of time, but the origin of a remarkable career that continues to evolve.