What is Chris Harrison's net worth? A look at 'The Bachelor' host's seven-figure salary and massive fortune
Chris Harrison has the best job on television. While Bachelor Nation fans wait with bated breath, anticipating what could go down in the episodes of 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette' and its various spinoffs, Harrison is the one sitting on all the details. It's quite a privilege, in all honesty, this job of his, where he gets to hang out with the cast, slip into the role of a big brother when required, and dole out some serious advice.
The lead man or woman of a particular season as well as the suitors need to put in a lot of work... even if it's just a dating show. Compared to that, Harrison's job is a cakewalk. Ever wondered how he got lucky and landed the job as 'The Bachelor' host? Here are all the details.
How was Chris Harrison chosen as 'The Bachelor' host?
Harrison was always destined to become the host of arguably the biggest show on TV. He started out young after he served as MC of the Lake Highlands High School homecoming talent show in his senior year. His natural skills to hold a conversation and an event together landed him a professional job, this time as a sports reporter in Oklahoma City for CBS affiliated KWRV. He then went on to work for TVG Network, a horse racing channel for a brief period.
He hosted a 'Designers' Challenge' on HGTV later on and in 2001, he hosted 'Mall Masters' for GSN, but the show was soon taken off-air. The next year, he was hired to host 'The Bachelor' by executive producer Mike Fleiss. Harrison has gone on to host the show for almost 19 years now and has also hosted a number of spin-offs of the hit franchise including 'Bachelor in Paradise' and 'The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever!'.
View this post on Instagram
How long will he be 'The Bachelor' host?
But back then, he didn't think the show would become such a phenomenal success. “My initial thought was, ‘This show is crazy. Will I ever be able to show my face in church again?’ My second thought (was), ‘I hope it lasts a couple of episodes so I can meet someone at the network and maybe get a real job out of it,'" he told Dallas News in 2016.
Harrison has been the host for 19 years and counting, and it's safe to say that the franchise wouldn't be what it is without him. But the show has not only added to his popularity but also his bank account. Going by his quote to Glamour in 2016, he said that he had signed on for five more seasons and spin-offs of the series after Season 20 of 'The Bachelor'. If that is still held true, Season 25 might be his last... Unless, of course, he signs a new deal.
View this post on Instagram
What is Chris Harrison's salary and net worth?
Harrison's salary for hosting the show is estimated to be around $8 million annually, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Apart from 'The Bachelor', he's also hosted the syndicated version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' between 2015 and 2019. He had also hosted TV Guide Network's entertainment news series 'Hollywood 411' in 2008. His other hosting gigs included American Music Awards pre-show live on ABC in 2008, TV Guide Network's live red carpet coverage of the Emmy Awards in 2009 and Miss American Pageant's live coverage for nine years for ABC.
He also ventured into acting in 2002 having appeared in guest roles on an episode on the show 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch'. He has also played a reporter in several films and television series including 'The Practice', 'Bounce' and 'Showtime' (2002), starring Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy. All of these have also added to his very impressive net worth which is estimated at $25 million. Wow!