Dana Carvey Biography: Net Worth, Wife, Age, Movies & TV Shows, Children, Instagram, YouTube, Height, Twitter, Wikipedia

Dana Carvey, an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer, is most famous for his work on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1993, which earned him five consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

In addition to his film and television work, Dana is known for his live comedy performances, showcasing his wit, style, and unrestrained humor.

He resides in Southern California with his second wife Paula and their two children.

Profile

• Full Name: Dana Thomas Carvey
• Nickname: The Church Lady
• Date of Birth: June 2, 1955
• Age: 69 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Missoula, Montana, United States
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Comedian, Actor, Impressionist
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
• Parents: Bud Carvey (Father), Billie Carvey (Mother)
• Siblings: Brad Carvey (Brother)
• Spouse: Paula Zwagerman (m. 1983)
• Children: Dex Carvey, Thomas Carvey
• Relationship Status: Married
• Net Worth: $20 million

Early Life and Education

Dana Thomas Carvey is currently at the age of 69. He was born on June 2, 1955, in Missoula, Montana.

His father, Bud Carvey, was a high school business teacher, while his mother, Billie Carvey, worked as a schoolteacher. Carvey grew up alongside his brother Brad.

In 1957, his family relocated to Anderson, California, as his father secured a teaching position. They moved to San Carlos, California, within the San Francisco Bay Area when he was three.

He attended Tierra Linda Junior High and Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, where he was part of the championship cross-country team.

He also studied at the College of San Mateo and earned his bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications from San Francisco State University. In 1977, he emerged as the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition winner.

Personal Life

In 1979, Carvey tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart, Leah. While still married, he met Paula Zwagerman, and they became romantically involved while performing at The Other Cafe in San Francisco.

After divorcing Leah in 1980, Dana and Paula got engaged in 1981 and married in 1983. They have two children together.

Unfortunately, their elder son, Dex, passed away from an accidental drug overdose on November 15, 2023, at the age of 32.

In 1995, Carvey had a home in the San Fernando Valley, and his parents moved to Murrieta, California, to be closer to his mother’s sister, Shirley Miller.

In 1997, Carvey underwent heart bypass surgery for a blocked coronary artery, which led to ongoing health issues.

He successfully sued for damages and donated the $7.5 million to charity. He also mentioned that Frank Sinatra passed away in the room adjacent to his while he was in the hospital for his final angioplasty.

In the late 1990s, Carvey took a break from his career to focus on raising his two sons.

Career

Carvey had a small part in Halloween II in 1981 and appeared in One of the Boys in 1982, a short-lived TV show with Mickey Rooney, Nathan Lane, and Meg Ryan.

In 1984, he had a cameo in Rob Reiner’s film This Is Spinal Tap as a mime alongside comedian Billy Crystal.

He also featured in the music video for the Greg Kihn song “Lucky” in 1985 and appeared in the short-lived TV series Blue Thunder.

His big break came in 1986 when he starred with Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster in Tough Guys. Carvey was a finalist for the hosting role on the Nickelodeon TV game show Double Dare but withdrew his name from consideration after joining Saturday Night Live.

In 1986, Carvey skyrocketed to fame when he joined the NBC’s Saturday Night Live ensemble. Alongside fresh faces like Phil Hartman, Kevin Nealon, Jan Hooks, and Victoria Jackson, he played a pivotal role in revitalizing the show’s waning popularity, making SNL a must-watch.

One of his standout creations was the Church Lady, a character known for her rigid, self-righteous demeanor as the host of Church Chat.

Carvey drew inspiration from women he encountered in his church upbringing, who were keen on monitoring fellow church attendees’ attendance.

He was so closely tied to the character that fellow cast members like Chris Farley affectionately called him “The Lady.”

The Church Lady’s departure was humorously addressed in a sketch lampooning the movie Misery, with Roseanne Barr portraying Annie Wilkes.

Among Carvey’s other memorable roles were Garth Algar (from Wayne’s World), inspired by his brother; Hans (from “Hans and Franz”); the Grumpy Old Man (from Weekend Update segments); and Ching Chang, a fictional Chinese poultry shop owner.

Throughout George H. W. Bush‘s presidency, Carvey was SNL’s go-to impersonator for the president, becoming the lead performer in the show’s regular political sketches.

Awards

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program (1993)
• American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series (1990)
• TV Land Award for Innovator Award (2007)

Net Worth

According to sources, Dana Carvey’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million as of 2024.

Controversy

Dana Carvey has faced some controversies throughout his career, including apologizing to Sharon Stone for an offensive sketch aired on Saturday Night Live in 1992.

The sketch featured Carvey portraying an Indian security guard persuading Stone’s character to disrobe for security purposes, prompting Carvey and David Spade to acknowledge its offensiveness.

Carvey later extended his apology to Stone during an episode of his podcast, Fly on the Wall With Dana Carvey and David Spade, praising Stone for her good-natured response and remarking that airing such a sketch today would likely lead to legal repercussions.

Despite Carvey’s apology, Stone expressed indifference towards the matter, stating that she was unfazed by being the subject of the joke.

Social Media

• Instagram: @danacarvey
• Twitter: @danacarvey

Filmography

• Wayne’s World
• Wayne’s World 2
• The Master of Disguise
• Opportunity Knocks
• Clean Slate

Discography

• Critics Choice
• Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies

Books

• Notable Quotables