Phoebe Cates Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Rise: From New York Origins to Screen Stardom

Phoebe Belle Cates was born on July 16, 1963, in New York City.  Raised in a family with deep ties to the entertainment world — her father, Joseph Cates, was a Broadway producer and television pioneer, and her uncle, Gilbert Cates, a noted film and TV producer — Cates had early exposure to show business.

Her first artistic dream was dance: she studied at the prestigious Juilliard School and later earned a scholarship to the School of American Ballet. That path ended abruptly after a knee injury.  Undeterred, she pivoted to modeling — by her mid-teens she was appearing on multiple magazine covers — and quickly made a name for herself in New York’s fashion scene. 

In 1982, at age 19, she made her film debut in Paradise, an audacious coming-of-age drama.  Later that same year, she landed what would become her most iconic role, as Linda Barrett in Fast Times at Ridgemont High — a part that cemented her as a defining face of 1980s cinema.

A few years later, she starred as Kate Beringer in the holiday-horror classic Gremlins (1984), a film that remains a staple of 1980s pop culture — and one she reprised in its sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990). 

Through the late ’80s and early ’90s, Cates appeared in a string of films — from comedies to dramas — showcasing range and versatility. But as the roles slowed and Hollywood’s offers waned, she began rethinking what success meant. 

Reinventing Success: A Boutique, Family, and New Priorities

By the mid-1990s, Cates had largely stepped away from acting. Her final movie appearance was in 1994’s Princess Caraboo. 

Rather than cling to fading fame, she shifted her creative energy to entrepreneurship. In 2005, she founded Blue Tree, a boutique on Madison Avenue offering an eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, home décor, and curated gifts.  The boutique reflects her personal taste — intimate, artistic, and ever-evolving. In her words: “There are no rules.” 

This transition wasn’t framed as a fallback, but as a thoughtful life choice. In past interviews, Cates expressed that acting had become repetitive and less fulfilling. The boutique, in contrast, allowed her creative input, independence, and a grounded lifestyle away from Hollywood’s glare. 

A Parallel Life: Love, Family & Quiet Stability

Kevin Kline is more than Cates’s partner — their life together defines a different model of Hollywood success. The two first crossed paths at an audition in 1982, and after several years their connection deepened.  On March 5, 1989, they married in a private New York ceremony. 

Their family grew with the birth of son Owen Joseph Kline in 1991, and daughter Greta Simone Kline in 1994.  In choosing to step away from film, Cates prioritized raising their children, crafting a sheltered, balanced upbringing in Manhattan’s Upper East Side rather than the fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle. 

Both children have embraced creative paths: Owen moved into film direction and cartooning (his feature-film debut came at Cannes), while Greta became a singer-songwriter fronting the band Frankie Cosmos.

Despite the decades that have passed, Cates and Kline’s relationship remains quietly strong. Their ability to keep personal lives out of tabloids, support each other’s careers, and focus on family has long been hailed as rare in their world. 

Estimating Fortune: How Much Is Phoebe Cates Worth?

Public estimates of Cates’s current net worth vary. Some online sources — driven by her legacy films, modeling career, and her long-running boutique — place her net worth in the ballpark of $6 million to $10 million.

That range reflects more than 20 years of diversified income: early paychecks from hit films; residuals, licensing and syndication; modeling; and profits from her boutique — a business that has become her main professional outlet. While no authoritative financial disclosure exists, this estimate aligns with typical earnings for 1980s–1990s stars who transitioned successfully into business and maintained a low-key lifestyle.

Given the boutique’s longevity and her family’s prudent lifestyle, it’s plausible that her net worth remains steady, supported by diversified assets rather than a reliance on film royalties alone.

Why Phoebe Cates Still Matters — Even Offscreen

Cates’s story stands out in a celebrity culture that often glorifies relentless visibility and perpetual self-promotion. She rose to fame young — and left when her personal priorities changed. Her decision to trade glamour for authenticity is quietly radical.

Her films remain cultural touchstones: from the awkward truths of teenage life in Fast Times at Ridgemont High to the playful horror-holiday chaos of Gremlins, her performances are part of the fabric of 1980s pop culture. Meanwhile, her boutique gives her a creative outlet that aligns with who she is — not what Hollywood demanded.

In an era where many pursue fame at any cost, Cates’s journey serves as a reminder: success can mean more than stardom. It can mean choosing love, family, and a life lived on your own terms.