Ricki Lake: A Candid Look At Her Life, Career, And Net Worth

How Much is Ricki Lake Worth Today?

Alright, let's talk about Ricki Lake, the woman who's carved out a pretty impressive career for herself. Her net worth today stands at an impressive $20 million. Ricki first stepped into the spotlight back in 1988 when she played the iconic Tracy Turnblad in John Waters' cult classic, "Hairspray." She was just 19 years old at the time, but she already had this magnetic energy that made her stand out. That role wasn’t just her big break—it was her statement to the world that she wasn’t afraid to challenge Hollywood’s standards, especially when it came to body image.

But here's the thing: Ricki wasn't just a one-hit wonder. Her biggest legacy is probably "The Ricki Lake Show," which aired from 1993 to 2004. It wasn't your typical daytime talk show. Ricki targeted a younger audience, tackling real-life issues like relationships, family conflicts, and social controversies. Her down-to-earth personality resonated with Generation X and beyond. Beyond her talk show, she kept her acting career alive by starring in more John Waters films like "Cry-Baby" and "Serial Mom." And let’s not forget her TV appearances and made-for-TV movies. In 2012, she even tried to bring back her talk show, but it only lasted one season. Still, that didn't stop her from shining in other areas.

Ricki has also become a passionate advocate for natural childbirth, producing and starring in the 2008 documentary, "The Business of Being Born." She’s been open about her personal struggles—weight, hair loss, you name it—and used her platform to talk about these issues. In 2011, she even competed on "Dancing with the Stars" and finished in third place. Talk about versatility!

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Her Early Days: The Girl from New York

Ricki Pamela Lake was born on September 21, 1968, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her upbringing wasn't exactly typical Hollywood glamour. She was mostly raised by her grandmother, with her mom being a homemaker and her dad a pharmacist. Ricki attended Ithaca College for a year after high school, but her heart was clearly set on something bigger. And boy, did she deliver.

A Career That Defined a Generation

Let’s rewind to 1988. Ricki booked the role of Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray," a film that didn’t exactly blow up in theaters (it grossed just $8 million on a $2.7 million budget), but it became a cult classic later on home video. Critics eventually came around to appreciate it, and Ricki’s career took off. She went on to star in more John Waters films like "Cry-Baby," "Cecil B. Demented," and "Serial Mom." But she wasn’t just sticking to the big screen. Ricki dabbled in TV too, joining the cast of "China Beach" in its third season and later landing recurring roles in "King of Queens" and "Drop Dead Diva." She even found her voice—literally—as a voice actor in "King of the Hill" and starred in the TV movie "Baby Cakes."

When "Hairspray" was remade in 2007, Ricki couldn’t pass up the chance to make a cameo as a talent agent. She even contributed to the soundtrack, recording "I’m a Big Girl Now" with Nikki Blonsky and Marissa Jaret Winokur. The following year, she reunited with another "Hairspray" co-star for the film "Hotel Gramercy Park." But Ricki wasn’t done yet. In 1993, she launched "The Ricki Lake Show," which ran for over a decade. Sony wanted her to continue for four more years, but Ricki decided to focus on her family. She tried reviving the show in 2012, but it didn’t stick this time around.

Even after the talk show ended, Ricki kept finding new ways to stay relevant. In 2006, she hosted "Gameshow Marathon," continued acting, and produced the documentary "The Business of Being Born." She even wrote a book about natural childbirth options and launched a website dedicated to the topic. Her hosting career didn’t stop there—she became the host of VH1’s "Charm School" in 2009 and appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2010. Ricki competed on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2012, finishing third despite scoring higher than the runner-up and the winner. She’s also appeared on shows like "The Masked Singer" and "The X Factor: Celebrity," proving she’s not afraid to try new things.

Bumps in the Road: Legal Challenges

Even stars face tough times, and Ricki was no exception. In 2011, she was sued for allegedly burning down a beach house in Miami. The incident happened while she was vacationing there with her two sons. A spilled oil caused a fire that quickly spread across the entire house. Thankfully, Ricki and her kids got out safely, but the owner wasn’t so lucky. He filed a lawsuit against her, claiming she was responsible for the damages. The owner was asking for millions, as the house would need to be completely rebuilt.

Real Estate Ventures: Buying and Selling Luxury

In 2013, Ricki decided to list her Los Angeles home for $8.75 million. She had bought the place back in 2002 for $6.5 million from none other than Courtney Cox and David Arquette. The home, described as "plantation-style," was built in 1949 and nestled in the swanky Brentwood neighborhood. With 5,226 square feet of living space, six bedrooms, and a lush garden, it was a dream property. Ricki eventually sold it for $8.45 million. But that’s not all—she also bought a Malibu home in 2013 for $2.965 million. Unfortunately, this home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire, a tragic reminder that even celebrities aren’t immune to life’s unpredictability.

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