Karen Austin Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Karen Austin Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
Subheadline: Karen Austin is an American actress recognized for her memorable roles on television and film, including a breakout part on Night Court.

Introduction

Karen Austin is an American actress whose career spans decades, best known for her early 1980s work on the sitcom Night Court and feature film roles like Summer Rental. Her estimated net worth stands around $500 thousand, according to public sources.  Karen Austin’s age/birthdate is October 24, 1955, and her birthday falls on October 24 each year. In terms of relationships, she was married to Kris Slava early in life, later divorced, and has kept a relatively private personal life since.

Quick Facts (Table Summary)

From Small-Town Beginnings to Hollywood Supporting Player

Born in Welch, West Virginia, Karen Austin’s early years laid the groundwork for a life in performance. A theatre degree and advanced studies reportedly followed, giving her the academic foundation to face Hollywood with a sharpened craft.

Her journey into the spotlight gained traction in the late 1970s with guest appearances on popular TV shows, where she built her resume and screen presence. By the early 1980s, she secured a recurring role as court clerk Lana Wagner on the sitcom Night Court, a breakthrough part that exposed her to a broader audience. 

Defining moments in Karen Austin’s journey include:

• Guest-starring on shows like Happy Days, Dallas, and The Rockford Files—early credits that built her profile. 

• Landing the regular role on Night Court as Lana Wagner, cementing her presence in the sitcom world. 

• Transitioning into film with a co-starring role alongside John Candy in Summer Rental, showcasing her cross-medium versatility. 

• Continuing a steady stream of television and film work into the new millennium, which, while not always headline-making, demonstrated durability in a competitive industry.

The Core Pillars of Karen Austin’s Wealth Include:

Her income and net worth are shaped by several interlocking sources:

• Film & Television Roles: Her time on Night Court and other series provided steady earnings and residuals.

• Feature Film Work: Movies like Summer Rental and The Rum Diary bring additional credits and visibility. 

• Guest Appearances & Licensing: Recurring roles and guest spots on shows may include residuals, though their exact impact is unclear.

• Long-Term Asset Accumulation: Given the modest net worth reported (~$500K) by public sources, there is relatively little reported diversification into large investments or major endorsements. 

Relationships & Personal Life

Karen Austin has kept much of her personal life outside the tabloid headlines, but public records offer some insight. She married Kris Slava when she was 19, and that union lasted for seven years before ending in divorce.  She is also known to have a daughter named Olivia Austin.

Key insights into Karen Austin’s relationships and personal life:

• Early marriage to Kris Slava, which ended in divorce.

• Daughter Olivia yet limited public disclosure about family or private partnerships.

• Ability to maintain a relatively low profile in an industry prone to exposure.

• Focus appears to be on career continuity rather than high-profile romantic narrative.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Karen Austin leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Commitment to her craft rather than lifestyle-branding; she has not been publicly tied to extravagant asset acquisitions or high-luxury displays.

• Participation in genre film and television work that suggests a preference for steady, character-driven roles rather than blockbuster fame.

• Privacy-oriented living—her personal life is not widely publicised, indicating a focus on balance rather than overt celebrity.

• Continued involvement in acting into later years, implying an interest in the ongoing creative process over retirement flair.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Estimating Karen Austin’s net worth involves pulling together various publicly available figures and contextualising what they mean for a working character actor in Hollywood.

• The figure of ~$500 thousand, cited by CelebrityNetWorth, is based on publicly-heard earnings, residuals, and known credits. 

• Her career longevity suggests that the bulk of her income has derived not from one single blockbuster payday, but from a sustained body of work — guest roles, supporting parts and residuals.

• The modest size of her reported net worth may reflect the fact that many of her roles were not headline leads with substantial profit-sharing or large scale endorsements.

• Given the private nature of her investment portfolio and assets, most of the wealth appears tied directly to her acting career and less to external business ventures.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Karen Austin may not be a household name in the way blockbuster stars are, but her enduring presence in television and film has left a quiet mark in the industry. Her role on Night Court remains a point of recognition, and her transition from small-town beginnings to Hollywood underscores a narrative of perseverance rather than meteoric overnight success.

She is viewed publicly as a dependable professional actress, comfortable in both comedic and dramatic roles. Among fans of classic television, her work is appreciated for its authenticity and the way she sustained a consistent career over decades. While she may not command the headlines, her journey reflects an influence rooted in steady craft and professionalism. Her personal choice to maintain a low-profile personal life further contributes to an image of grounded professionalism.

Conclusion

Karen Austin’s story is one of steady achievement rather than flash-in-the-pan fame. Born on October 24, 1955, she celebrated her birthday each year with a résumé that spans from sitcoms to feature films. Her estimated net worth of approximately $500 thousand underscores a career built on consistent work rather than blockbuster windfalls. Her past marriage to Kris Slava and her choice to keep her personal life largely private speak to a professional who values her craft and life balance. In an industry driven by noise, Karen Austin’s legacy is quieter—but enduring: a reminder that resilience, adaptability and dedication often build a career that lasts.