Nora Dunn Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Nora Dunn Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Nora Dunn is an American actress and comedian recognized for her sharp work on Saturday Night Live and a resilient career spanning film and television.

Introduction

Nora Dunn (born April 29, 1952) is best known as a cast member of the long-running sketch-comedy series Saturday Night Live and for her subsequent recurring roles in television and film. Her career reflects both resilience and diversity, and she has an estimated net worth of approximately US $1.5 million.  Speculation around her romantic life shows she was previously married, though no high-profile partner is currently listed publicly.
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Quick Facts

From Chicago Roots to National Spotlight

Growing up in Chicago, Dunn—born April 29, 1952—came from a creative family: her father was a musician and poet, her mother a nurse.  She studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and later at San Francisco City College.  Early in her career, she worked in sketch comedy and theater, and the leap to national exposure came when she joined Saturday Night Live in 1985. 
Her arrival at SNL marked a defining moment of transition—from regional performer to national comedy figure at a time when the show was restructuring under its returning executive producer. During her tenure she created memorable recurring characters and impressions, including “Pat Stevens” and the lounge-singer duo “The Sweeney Sisters.” 
Defining moments in Nora Dunn’s journey include:

• Joining the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1985 and surviving a period of major cast turnover.

• Delivering standout characters such as Pat Stevens and half of “The Sweeney Sisters.”

• Standing by her principles in 1990 when she opted out of an SNL episode because of guest-host controversy. 

• Transitioning into film and television roles across genres—from Working Girl to Zoolander to recurring TV roles—demonstrating range and longevity in the business. 

The Core Pillars of Nora Dunn’s Wealth

Her estimated net worth is modest compared to some Hollywood peers—but it reflects a steady career of performances, recurring roles, and ongoing work.
The core pillars of Nora Dunn’s wealth include:

• Television and film acting income — including her early major platform on Saturday Night Live, plus film roles (Working Girl, Zoolander) and recurring TV work.

• Residuals and recurring appearances — her long-running appearances and recurring roles likely contribute ongoing revenue.

• Commercial work and endorsements — for example, a series of commercials for Clorox beginning in 2014. 

• Live performance and personal projects — Dunn has performed solo shows and worked in theater, contributing to her earning base.

(Note: Because public data are limited, all values are rough estimates based on available sources.)

Relationships & Family Life

Regarding her personal life, Dunn has kept much of her private world out of tabloid focus. According to multiple sources, she was married to playwright Ray Hutcherson from 1987 and later to set-builder Sean McGarry in 1998; both marriages ended in divorce. 
Key insights into Nora Dunn’s relationships and personal life:

• Her first known marriage (to Ray Hutcherson) spanned the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.

• Her second known marriage (to Sean McGarry) began in the late 1990s and appears to have ended by or before the 2000s.

• No publicly listed children or current partner have been verified in major outlets.

• She remains fairly private about her romantic and family life, choosing to let her career and creative work speak for itself.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Nora Dunn leads a lifestyle rooted in her creative passions and Chicago heritage.
Beyond career success, Nora Dunn leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Splitting time between Chicago and Pasadena, California as noted in a 2013 interview. 

• A long-standing affinity for Chicago sports teams—the Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks. 

• Engagement in live-theatre production and solo performance pieces, showing commitment beyond screen acting.

• Philanthropic inclination and principled stances—her public refusal to appear on SNL in 1990 speaks to her integrity and willingness to act on convictions. 

While detailed records of her real-estate holdings, car collections, or luxury assets are not widely documented, her ongoing performing work suggests a lifestyle sustained through continued creative output rather than blockbuster earnings.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Nora Dunn’s public image is that of a versatile, principled performer who thrived in a challenging comedy environment and built a durable career.
In an industry often defined by fleeting fame, Dunn’s sustained presence across decades—from her breakthrough on Saturday Night Live to recurring television roles and live-theater work—marks her as a steady, craft-oriented artist.
Her legacy includes:

• Pioneering for women on sketch-comedy television, especially during an era and network environment that was frequently male-dominated.

• Demonstrating that a performer can transition from high-visibility ensemble work to ongoing character roles and solo projects without losing relevance.

• Serving as a role model for performers valuing integrity over pure visibility—her stance in 1990 remains a celebrated moment in SNL history. 
  Her influence resonates particularly with younger actors who see her path as illustrative of longevity, creative diversity, and professionalism.

Conclusion

Nora Dunn, born April 29, 1952, has carved out a meaningful career that blends comedy, acting, and live performance. With an estimated net worth of approximately US $1.5 million, she has achieved recognition while maintaining creative integrity in her relationships and personal life. Her journey—from Chicago upbringing to national prominence—offers enduring lessons in resilience, adaptability, and artistic purpose. Whether through her characters on Saturday Night Live, film roles, or solo shows, Dunn’s legacy continues to reflect both talent and principle.