Will Arnett has built a career that spans live-action sitcoms, animated blockbusters, and a top-ranked podcast. Known for playing Gob Bluth in Arrested Development and voicing the title character in BoJack Horseman, Arnett has remained a constant presence in comedy for over three decades. Born in Toronto and now a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, his path to stardom involved personal struggles and a reinvention that shaped his work.
From his early days moving to New York City to his current role as a podcast host, Arnett’s career reflects adaptability. He has performed in more than 62 films and television shows and earned a Primetime Emmy nomination along the way. This article covers his net worth, career milestones, family life, and the key roles that defined his professional journey.
What is Will Arnett’s Net Worth?
Will Arnett’s net worth is not publicly confirmed with a precise figure, and available estimates vary. Most celebrity wealth trackers place the number between $15 million and $25 million, though some sources suggest a higher range. These estimates are based on his long-running roles in television and film, his voice work, and his success as a podcast host.
May 4, 1970 (Age 56)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
$15–25 Million (approx.)
Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman, The Lego Movie
How Will Arnett Built His Net Worth
Arnett’s income streams are diverse. His voice work as Lego Batman and BoJack Horseman brought in steady residuals, while his role on Arrested Development established his early financial foundation. Hosting LEGO Masters and co-founding the SmartLess podcast added significant revenue in recent years.
- Television salaries from multiple seasons of Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman, and Flaked.
- Voice acting in major animated franchises including The Lego Movie series and Despicable Me.
- Podcast revenue from SmartLess, which generates income through advertising and live tours.
- Hosting duties on the competition series LEGO Masters on Fox.
- Commercial voice work as the voice of GMC trucks since 1998.
- Production and creation; he co-created Flaked and co-founded a digital-marketing company.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Emerson Arnett |
| Nationality | Canadian and American |
| Occupation | Actor, voice actor, comedian, producer, podcast host |
| Years Active | 1994–present |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Spouse (ex) | Amy Poehler (m. 2003; div. 2016) |
| Children | 3 sons |
| Notable Work | Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman, The Lego Batman Movie, SmartLess |
| Awards | Primetime Emmy Award nomination, multiple Annie Awards |
Will Arnett: Movies, TV Shows, and Career Highlights
Arnett’s filmography spans both live-action comedy and animated voice work. His most famous role remains Gob Bluth in Arrested Development, a character that defined the show’s absurdist tone. He also voiced the depressed horse BoJack in the Netflix series BoJack Horseman, a role that earned critical acclaim for its dramatic depth.
Arrested Development: The Role of Gob Bluth
Arnett played George Oscar “Gob” Bluth II, the eldest son in the dysfunctional Bluth family. The role earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006. The show originally ran from 2003 to 2006, with later revival seasons on Netflix in 2013 and 2018–19.
Voice Acting: BoJack Horseman and The Lego Batman Movie
Voicing BoJack Horseman from 2014 to 2020, Arnett brought a melancholy weight to an animated series about fame and mental health. He also voiced Batman in The Lego Movie (2014), The Lego Batman Movie (2017), and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019). Other voice work includes Mr. Perkins in Despicable Me (2010) and the long-running voice of GMC trucks in commercials.
Arnett’s role in BoJack Horseman was a departure from pure comedy. The series dealt with themes of addiction, depression, and regret—topics Arnett has addressed in his own life. He later co-created and starred in Flaked (2016–2017), a Netflix series where he played a recovering alcoholic, loosely drawing from his own early struggles with drinking.
The SmartLess Podcast
In 2020, Arnett co-launched SmartLess with actors Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes. The podcast features celebrity interviews interspersed with playful banter between the hosts. It quickly became one of the most popular podcasts on streaming platforms and expanded into live tours. The show diversifies Arnett’s income and keeps him connected to a broad audience beyond traditional acting.
Who is Will Arnett Married To? Does He Have Kids?
Arnett has been married twice. His first marriage to actress Penelope Ann Miller lasted from 1994 to 1995. His second and most public marriage was to comedian and actress Amy Poehler, from 2003 until their separation in 2012 and divorce in 2016.
Will Arnett’s Marriage and Divorce from Amy Poehler
Arnett and Poehler were considered a prominent comedy couple during their marriage. They met in the late 1990s and married in 2003. The couple separated in 2012 and finalized their divorce in 2016. Both have spoken publicly about maintaining a positive co-parenting relationship for their children.
Will Arnett’s Relationship Status Today
Since the divorce, Arnett has kept his personal life largely private. He has a son, Alexander Denison Arnett, born in June 2020, with partner Alessandra Brown. There is no confirmed information about a current marriage or long-term partner beyond this relationship.
Will Arnett’s Children
Arnett has three sons. With Amy Poehler, he has two sons: Archibald William Emerson Arnett and Abel James Arnett. His third son, Alexander Denison Arnett, was born in June 2020 with Alessandra Brown. Arnett has generally kept his children out of the public spotlight.
Key Career Milestones: A Timeline
- — Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- — Moved to New York City to pursue acting.
- — First major TV role on The Mike O’Malley Show.
- — Married actress Amy Poehler and cast as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development.
- — Received Primetime Emmy nomination for Arrested Development.
- — Voiced Batman in The Lego Movie and began voicing BoJack Horseman.
- — Divorced from Amy Poehler; co-created and starred in Flaked.
- — Co-founded the SmartLess podcast.
- — Starred in Netflix series A Murder at the End of the World.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Will Arnett’s Life?
While much of Arnett’s career is well-documented, certain aspects of his personal and financial life are less transparent. The table below separates established facts from areas where information is uncertain.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born May 4, 1970, in Toronto, Canada. | Exact net worth; estimates range from $15–25 million or higher. |
| Married Amy Poehler from 2003 to 2016. | Current relationship status beyond co-parenting. |
| Has three sons: two with Amy Poehler and one with Alessandra Brown. | Details about his relationship with Alessandra Brown. |
| Nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Arrested Development. | Confirmed annual earnings from podcast and hosting work. |
What Does Will Arnett’s Career Trajectory Tell Us About Modern Comedy?
Arnett’s career is notable for its hybrid nature. He succeeded in live-action sitcoms during the 2000s, transitioned into voice acting for prestige animated series in the 2010s, and then moved into the podcast space in the 2020s. This path reflects a broader industry shift where actors increasingly bypass traditional media gatekeepers to connect directly with audiences.
His ability to move between comedy and drama—especially through BoJack Horseman—showed a range not always associated with actors from pure comedy backgrounds. The success of SmartLess also highlights how podcasting has become a viable business model for established entertainers, allowing them to maintain relevance and income between acting projects.
Sources and Quotes on Will Arnett
Information in this article draws from publicly available sources, including biographical databases and entertainment industry platforms. For further reading, the following sources provide additional depth on Arnett’s career and personal life.
- Will Arnett on Wikipedia
- Will Arnett on IMDb
- Will Arnett on Instagram
- Will Arnett on Apple TV
- SmartLess Podcast Official Site
Summary: Why Will Arnett Matters
Will Arnett is a versatile performer whose career has evolved across multiple entertainment formats. From defining a generation of comedy with Gob Bluth to voicing one of animation’s most complex characters in BoJack Horseman, he has demonstrated consistent range and adaptability. His net worth remains an estimate without official confirmation, but his professional output—over 62 projects, a hit podcast, and a long-running commercial voice gig—points to sustained success in an unpredictable industry. For readers interested in other comedy actors with similar career arcs, the biography of Keegan Michael Key offers a parallel story of versatility, while Michael Rosenbaum provides another example of an actor who moved between live-action and voice work with lasting impact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Will Arnett
What is Will Arnett’s real name?
William Emerson Arnett.
When was Will Arnett born?
May 4, 1970.
How tall is Will Arnett?
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m).
Does Will Arnett have children?
Yes, he has three sons: two with ex-wife Amy Poehler and one with partner Alessandra Brown.
What is Will Arnett’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Gob Bluth on Arrested Development and voicing the title character in BoJack Horseman.
What is Will Arnett’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly confirmed. Estimates from celebrity wealth sources range between $15–25 million.
Is Will Arnett married?
He was married to Amy Poehler from 2003 to 2016. His current relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
What is the SmartLess podcast?
A podcast co-hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, featuring interviews with celebrity guests.
What animated characters has Will Arnett voiced?
He voiced BoJack Horseman, Lego Batman, and Mr. Perkins in Despicable Me.
Has Will Arnett won any major awards?
He received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2006 for Arrested Development and has won multiple Annie Awards.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.