Susan Ruttan Net Worth: A Deep Look at the Veteran Actress’s Wealth and Career
If you’ve been curious about Susan Ruttan net worth, you’ve come to the right place. Renowned for her role as Roxanne Melman on L.A. Law, Susan Ruttan has built a long, steady career in television and film. In this article, we’ll explore the sources of her wealth, her personal story, and what factors have shaped her financial standing today.
Who Is Susan Ruttan?
Susan Diane Ruttan, born on September 16, 1948, in Oregon City, Oregon, is best known for playing Roxanne Melman on L.A. Law from 1986 to 1993, a role that earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations. Before becoming a television regular, she trained at the University of Oregon and the University of California, Santa Cruz, and even worked in casting at Universal Studios.
Susan’s acting career spans decades with roles on iconic series like The Jeffersons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, Hannah Montana, and countless TV movies. In addition to acting, she explored interior design professionally in the early 2000s, a testament to her creative versatility and entrepreneurial drive.
Susan Ruttan Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Susan Ruttan’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $1.5 million. While that figure may seem modest compared to today’s megastars, it reflects a stable, respected career built over many years of solid television and film work. Her wealth is the result of consistent earnings from acting, royalties, small business ventures, and likely wise personal financial management.
How She Earned Her Wealth
Acting Roles & Screen Appearances
Susan Ruttan’s primary income has always come from her acting career. Her role on L.A. Law during its peak years provided her with not only salary but lasting visibility in the industry. At the height of the series’ popularity, Emmy-nominated regulars on hit network shows often earned significant pay—helping Susan build a reliable financial foundation.
Beyond L.A. Law, Susan consistently booked roles on television throughout the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Guest appearances and recurring parts on popular series earned her additional income and kept her career relevant across different generations of TV audiences. Each role may not have paid blockbuster-level money, but decades of steady work add up significantly.
Business Interests & Investments
In the early 2000s, Susan ventured into the world of interior design. Launching her own design business, she began taking on residential and commercial projects, combining her eye for aesthetics with a second stream of income. Although public records of the business’s profitability aren’t available, it’s clear that her talent and industry connections gave her a strong foothold in the market.
Additionally, Susan is known to have invested in real estate, a common strategy for actors looking to build long-term wealth. Property investments typically provide rental income and appreciation over time, allowing her to further diversify her earnings away from the uncertainties of show business.
Lifestyle and Spending
One of the reasons Susan Ruttan’s net worth remains steady is her approach to lifestyle and spending. Unlike many Hollywood figures who burn through cash chasing the next big thing, Susan has cultivated a low-profile and modest lifestyle.
She has never been known for excessive displays of wealth, luxury cars, or multi-million dollar mansions. Instead, she focuses on living comfortably, enjoying her personal interests, and maintaining long-term financial stability—a choice that’s paid off well in her later career.
Why She’s Still Relevant
Though she’s no longer a regular on primetime TV, Susan Ruttan remains a well-known figure thanks to the lasting impact of L.A. Law and her many memorable guest roles. Her Emmy nominations help cement her legacy in television history.
Additionally, streaming services have introduced her work to younger audiences. Series like L.A. Law have been rediscovered in digital form, bringing Susan new waves of recognition and likely providing residual royalties from licensing deals and streaming plays.
What Could Increase Her Net Worth?
Streaming & Royalties
As more classic shows make their way onto streaming platforms, residual payments to actors often increase. If L.A. Law sees a surge in popularity on a major platform, Susan could benefit from renewed visibility and additional royalty income.
Ongoing interest in retro TV programming suggests this is a very realistic avenue for future income growth. With streaming services hungry for content, her past work continues to generate value even today.
Authoring a Memoir
Given her fascinating background in both acting and design, Susan Ruttan could attract interest from publishers for a memoir. If she chose to write a personal account of her career, Emmy nominations, and experiences as a woman in Hollywood, the book could provide both income and a fresh platform for new projects.
A successful memoir often leads to speaking engagements, media appearances, and further monetization opportunities—all of which would enhance her net worth.
Design Business Growth
Her design business remains an avenue for future growth. If she chose to formally expand it or collaborate with high-end clients, Susan could elevate her profile in the world of interior design. Celebrity-turned-designer ventures have proven successful for other stars, and there’s no reason Susan couldn’t leverage her background for similar success.
Additionally, licensing a line of home goods or decor items under her name could provide an entirely new revenue stream while allowing her to continue working in a creative field she enjoys.
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