Cheryl Ladd net worth is estimated at $12 million. The American actress, singer and author built her wealth through a career spanning television, film, music, Broadway and publishing.
Ladd is best known for playing Kris Munroe on the popular ABC crime drama “Charlie’s Angels.” She joined the series during its second season in 1977 after replacing Farrah Fawcett and remained with the show until it ended in 1981.
Over the years, Ladd has accumulated more than 90 acting credits. Her career also includes music albums, television movies, Broadway performances, books and documentary work.
- Cheryl Ladd Net Worth: $12 Million
- Date of Birth: July 12, 1951
- Place of Birth: Huron, South Dakota
- Nationality: American
- Career: actress, singer and author
Cheryl Ladd and Charlie’s Angels
Ladd’s career changed significantly when she joined “Charlie’s Angels” in 1977.
She played Kris Munroe, the younger sister of Farrah Fawcett’s character, Jill Munroe. Ladd appeared in 87 episodes before the series ended in 1981.
Her arrival came after Fawcett left the show following its first season. Ladd successfully established herself as one of the show’s leading stars.
The series became a major television hit and helped make Ladd an internationally recognized actress.
Reflecting on the show’s influence, Ladd said: “We were very inspirational to a lot of young women.”
She explained that young female viewers wrote to the cast saying they wanted to pursue careers such as law enforcement and take chances outside traditional roles.
During her time on “Charlie’s Angels,” Ladd also appeared on programs including “The Muppet Show” and “Carol Burnett & Company.”
She also sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XIV in 1980.
Early Career
Cheryl Ladd was born Cheryl Jean Stoppelmoor on July 12, 1951, in Huron, South Dakota.
She grew up with her mother, Dolores, who worked as a waitress, and her father, Marion, who was a railroad engineer. She also has a sister, Mary Ann, and a brother, Seth.
While in high school, Ladd was a cheerleader. After graduating, she toured with the band The Music Shop before eventually moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment.
In 1970, she landed her first major television opportunity by providing the singing voice of Melody Valentine on the Hanna-Barbera animated series “Josie and the Pussycats.”
At the time, she was credited under the name Cherie Moor. She also performed on the show’s 1970 album.
Ladd made her film debut in “Chrome and Hot Leather” in 1971. She subsequently appeared in television shows including “The Rookies,” “Search,” “Ironside,” “The Partridge Family,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Happy Days,” “Police Woman” and “Police Story.”
Film and Television Career
Following “Charlie’s Angels,” Ladd developed a successful career in television movies and feature films.
During the 1980s, she appeared in productions including “Kentucky Woman,” “Grace Kelly,” “A Death in California,” “Deadly Care” and “The Fulfillment of Mary Gray.”
Her film credits from the decade included “Now and Forever,” “Purple Hearts,” “Millennium” and “Lisa.”
In the 1990s, Ladd continued to work across television and film. She starred in the CBS crime drama “One West Waikiki” from 1994 to 1996, playing medical examiner Dawn “Holli” Holliday.
She also appeared in “Poison Ivy” in 1992 alongside Drew Barrymore and “Permanent Midnight” in 1998 with Ben Stiller.
Other credits during the decade included “Crash: The Mystery of Flight 1501,” “Dead Before Dawn,” “Vows of Deception,” “Every Mother’s Worst Fear,” “Michael Landon, the Father I Knew” and “A Dog of Flanders.”
Las Vegas Role
One of Ladd’s notable later television roles came in the NBC series “Las Vegas.”
She played Jillian Deline from 2003 to 2008.
The series gave Ladd another long-running television role and introduced her to a new generation of viewers.
She also made guest appearances on programs including “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place,” “Charmed,” “Hope & Faith,” “CSI: Miami,” “Ray Donovan” and “Ballers.”
Her later film work included “Holiday Baggage,” “Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups,” “The Perfect Wave,” “Unforgettable” and “Camera Store.”
Cheryl Ladd in American Crime Story
In 2016, Ladd appeared in the acclaimed limited series “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”
She portrayed Linell Shapiro, the wife of attorney Robert Shapiro.
The Ryan Murphy-produced series became a major awards success. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series and the Golden Globe for Best Limited Series or Television Film.
Ladd has also continued appearing in television movies, including “The Christmas Contract,” “Grounded for Christmas” and “Christmas Unwrapped.”
Music Career
Acting was not Ladd’s only entertainment career.
She began performing professionally during the early 1970s and later recorded several albums.
Her studio albums include “Cheryl Ladd” in 1978, “Dance Forever” in 1979, “Take a Chance” in 1981 and “You Make It Beautiful” in 1982.
Her music career benefited from the popularity she gained through “Charlie’s Angels.”
She also released singles including “Think It Over,” “Walking in the Rain,” “Missing You” and “Dance Forever.”
“Think It Over” became her biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching No. 34.
Broadway Career
Ladd added Broadway to her long list of entertainment achievements in 2000.
She made her Broadway debut playing Annie Oakley in “Annie Get Your Gun.”
The stage role demonstrated her ability to move beyond television and film and into live theater.
Her Broadway career added another dimension to her decades-long entertainment career and contributed to her overall professional profile.
Cheryl Ladd’s Books
Ladd has also worked as an author.
In 1996, she published “The Adventures of Little Nettie Windship,” a children’s book.
She later published “Token Chick: A Woman’s Guide to Golfing With the Boys” in 2005.
The book reflected another interest outside acting and focused on her experiences playing golf in a traditionally male-dominated environment.
Ladd also wrote and produced the 1995 documentary short “Your Skin… And How to Save It.”
Personal Life
Ladd married actor David Ladd on May 24, 1973.
The couple had one daughter, Jordan Ladd, who was born on January 14, 1975. Cheryl and David later divorced in 1980.
Jordan followed her parents into acting and has appeared in more than 50 productions. Her credits include “Never Been Kissed,” “Cabin Fever” and “Death Proof.”
She also appeared in an uncredited role in a 1978 episode of “Charlie’s Angels” as the younger version of her mother’s character.
Cheryl married music producer Brian Russell on January 3, 1981.
She became stepmother to Russell’s daughter, Lindsay, from his previous marriage to composer and actress Brenda Russell.
Charity Work
Ladd has also been involved in charitable work.
She serves as a celebrity ambassador for Childhelp, a nonprofit organization focused on preventing child abuse.
Her work with the organization earned her the Childhelp Woman of the World Award.
Her involvement with Childhelp has added a philanthropic dimension to her career outside entertainment.
Real Estate
Real estate has also played a role in Ladd’s financial portfolio.
In 1989, Ladd and Brian Russell purchased a 7,000-square-foot home in Santa Ynez, California, for $459,000.
The four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom property was later listed for $5.795 million in 2009.
It eventually sold for $3.6 million in 2013.
The significant increase in the property’s value over the years highlights how real estate can contribute to the wealth of established entertainers.
Author: Andrew Walyaula
Andrew Walyaula is a seasoned multimedia journalist. Email: [email protected]
