Lee Tergesen Biography: Age, Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Oz, Movies & TV Shows

Lee Allen Tergesen, professionally known as Lee Tergesen, is a seasoned American actor with a diverse career across television, film, and theater. Known for his versatility and intense dramatic performances, he established himself as a respected character actor in Hollywood.

He gained widespread recognition for portraying the conflicted prisoner Tobias Beecher in the acclaimed HBO drama series Oz, along with notable roles in the sitcom Weird Science and the military miniseries Generation Kill.

Lee Tergesen
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Lee Allen Tergesen
Stage Name:	Lee Tergesen
Born:	July 8, 1965 (age 60 years old)
Place of Birth:	Ivoryton, Connecticut, USA
Nationality:	American
Ethnicity:	White
Height:	1.80 m
Religion:	Christianity
Parents:	Mr. and Mrs. Tergesen
Siblings:	Chris Tergesen
Spouse:	Yuko Otomo (m. 2011), Tanya Lewis (m. 1994–1997), Leslie Howitt (m. 1989–1992)
Relationship:	Married
Children:	Lily Tergesen
Occupation:	Actor
Net Worth:	$1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Lee Allen Tergesen entered the world on July 8, 1965, in the small village of Ivoryton, Connecticut. He grew up in a supportive home environment provided by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tergesen, alongside his brother, Chris, who later became a professional music supervisor.

Aspiring to make it in the performance arts, he attended and graduated from Valley Regional High School before moving to New York City to formally study the craft at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Coming from a Caucasian family background, he was raised in the Christian faith.

Career

Lee Allen Tergesen initiated his career on the east coast before heading to Los Angeles, landing minor television pilots and working ordinary jobs to support himself. His early movie breaks arrived when he booked supporting roles in the action hit Point Break and the classic comedy Wayne’s World. The momentum shifted significantly in 1994 when he secured a main role as Chester “Chett” Donnelly in the USA Network sci-fi comedy series Weird Science, a four-year stint that brought him regular television recognition and proved his strength with physical comedy and broader mainstream writing.

Lee Allen Tergesen reached a major career high point when he was cast as lawyer Tobias Beecher in the dark HBO prison series Oz, a complex, transformative performance that ran for six seasons and won immense praise from critics and viewers alike. Following this dark drama, he stayed incredibly busy on television, starring as journalist Evan Wright in the acclaimed Iraq War miniseries Generation Kill, playing recurring parts in Desperate Housewives and The Americans, and guest-starring on top-tier shows like Army Wives and Tracker.

On the big screen, he added to his resume with memorable appearances in intense thrillers like Monster and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. His steady work and intense commitment to complex, challenging roles have left a lasting mark on contemporary American television drama.

Social Media

• Twitter Handle: @leetergesen

Personal Life

Lee Allen Tergesen is 60 years old and stands at a height of 1.80 m. He is happily married to his third wife, art therapist Yuko Otomo, whom he wed in 2011, and together they share a daughter named Lily. Before finding long-term stability in his current marriage, he was wed to Tanya Lewis from 1994 until 1997, and to Leslie Howitt from 1989 until their divorce in 1992.

When he is not working on location for film or television sets, he enjoys a quiet personal lifestyle centered around his family and frequently supports independent theater productions in the New York area.

Net Worth

Lee Allen Tergesen has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. He accumulated this personal fortune through his lengthy career as a professional actor, drawing steady salaries from his main roles in long-running television programs like Weird Science and Oz. His financial foundation is further bolstered by regular guest-starring fees on popular network shows, voice acting gigs, and residual payments from his extensive film and television catalog.

Filmography

• Point Break (Film)
• Wayne’s World (Film)
• Homicide: Life on the Street (TV Series)
• Wayne’s World 2 (Film)
• Weird Science (TV Series)
• Oz (TV Series)
• Shaft (Film)
• Monster (Film)
• The Forgotten (Film)
• Rescue Me (TV Series)
• Desperate Housewives (TV Series)
• Red Tails (Film)
• Longmire (TV Series)
• The Americans (TV Series)
• The Purge (TV Series)
• Tracker (TV Series)