Melissa McBride's Net Worth 2025: The Fortune Of The Walking Dead Star.
Melissa McBride is a name that’s become synonymous with one of the most iconic TV shows in recent history — The Walking Dead. Best known for her portrayal of Carol Peletier, McBride has captivated audiences for over a decade with her resilience, emotional depth, and character evolution. However, her journey to stardom, her financial success, and her personal life are just as compelling as her performances. As of 2025, McBride's net worth reflects the success she achieved throughout her career, particularly due to her role in The Walking Dead. In this article, we’ll explore her net worth, career highlights, personal life, and real estate, answering some key questions along the way.
How Much Did Melissa McBride Make from The Walking Dead?
Melissa McBride’s career was elevated significantly by her role in The Walking Dead, and it’s no surprise that she earned a handsome paycheck for her work on the show. While her early appearances didn’t command top billing, McBride's character evolved from a supporting role to a fan-favorite protagonist. This shift was reflected in her salary.
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According to reports, by the time McBride reached the later seasons of The Walking Dead, she was earning around $20,000 to $30,000 per episode. With The Walking Dead airing 24 episodes per season in its later years, McBride’s annual salary from the show would have ranged between $480,000 and $720,000. While it is significantly less than some of her co-stars, like Norman Reedus or Andrew Lincoln, who were reportedly earning upwards of $100,000 per episode in their peak seasons, McBride's consistent presence and her growing importance to the show made her a valuable asset.
Beyond the direct pay from the series, McBride also benefited from the show's immense popularity and subsequent royalties from syndication, streaming, and merchandise. Her portrayal of Carol resonated with audiences, earning her opportunities for endorsement deals and public appearances. McBride’s salary from The Walking Dead played a crucial role in building her impressive net worth, but it’s not the only source of her financial success.
Who Got Paid the Most on The Walking Dead?
While Melissa McBride's earnings were respectable, the highest-paid stars of The Walking Dead were Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln. These two actors, who portrayed Daryl Dixon and Rick Grimes, respectively, were arguably the most prominent figures on the show.
Reports suggest that Norman Reedus, whose character Daryl became a central part of the series, earned as much as $100,000 per episode in the later seasons. This placed him on par with Andrew Lincoln, who, as the series’ original lead, also earned a similar salary. Reedus and Lincoln both commanded these salaries due to their status as the lead actors and their consistent presence on the show. Reedus, in particular, became the face of The Walking Dead after Lincoln’s departure in season 9, securing his place as the highest-paid member of the cast at the time.
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It is important to note, however, that McBride’s character, Carol, became one of the most beloved and influential characters on the series over time. Her evolution from a meek, vulnerable woman to a fierce and independent survivor was a defining arc of The Walking Dead, and it did not go unnoticed by fans and critics alike.
Are Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus Friends in Real Life?
One of the most enduring relationships in The Walking Dead is the bond between Carol (Melissa McBride) and Daryl (Norman Reedus). On-screen, they are often depicted as close friends and allies, and their chemistry has been a key factor in their popularity. But do these close ties extend to their real lives?
The answer is a resounding yes. Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus have maintained a strong and genuine friendship off-screen as well. Both actors have spoken publicly about their deep respect for each other and their camaraderie while working on the show. Their bond goes beyond just shared screen time; they have been seen attending events together, and Reedus has often expressed his admiration for McBride’s talent and dedication to the role of Carol.
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In fact, Reedus has stated that their off-screen friendship made their on-screen relationship more natural and heartfelt. The two have shared personal moments and inside jokes, helping to create the deep, emotionally-charged friendship between Daryl and Carol that fans have come to adore.
Additionally, McBride and Reedus’s friendship is further solidified by their mutual support for each other’s careers. In interviews, McBride has praised Reedus’s work, and Reedus has returned the favor. They often share warm comments about each other’s performances, both within The Walking Dead and in their other projects.
Where Does Melissa McBride Live?
Melissa McBride has always been somewhat private about her personal life, but it is known that she currently resides in the United States. Over the years, McBride has had residences in both Atlanta, Georgia (where The Walking Dead was filmed for many years), and Los Angeles, California, where she has enjoyed greater proximity to the entertainment industry.
During her time on The Walking Dead, McBride spent a significant amount of time in Georgia, where the series was filmed. However, as the series wound down and her involvement in spin-off projects (such as the untitled Daryl and Carol spinoff) became uncertain, McBride began splitting her time between Los Angeles and other private locations.
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Her primary residence, however, has been a quiet, serene property in the Los Angeles area, where she enjoys the solitude and privacy necessary to live a more grounded life away from the spotlight. McBride has always prioritized keeping her personal life out of the public eye, and her home is a reflection of that desire for peace and tranquility. Her living situation may evolve in the coming years, especially given her continued involvement in the entertainment industry and her ongoing popularity.
Why Did Melissa McBride Quit The Walking Dead?
In 2022, it was announced that Melissa McBride would not be joining the Walking Dead spinoff show centered around Carol and Daryl, which sent shockwaves through fans of the series. McBride was initially set to star in the series alongside Norman Reedus, but she ultimately made the decision to step away from the project. Why did McBride quit the spinoff?
The reasons behind McBride’s departure from the spinoff have been somewhat vague, but it is widely believed that the decision was driven by personal and logistical factors. At the time, McBride’s departure was framed as a creative decision, with showrunner Scott Gimple explaining that it was a mutual choice made by McBride and the producers of The Walking Dead.
Many speculated that McBride's exit from the show was due to scheduling conflicts and the intense demands of filming a major television series. Additionally, there were reports suggesting that McBride wanted to take a step back from the grind of long-term projects and focus on other endeavors, including exploring different roles in the industry.
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Another theory was that McBride felt the story of Carol had reached a natural conclusion in The Walking Dead, and she was not interested in continuing with the character in the spinoff series. While McBride has not spoken publicly about the exact reasons for her departure, it is clear that her decision to leave was based on personal reasons and a desire for creative fulfillment.
Despite McBride’s exit from the spinoff, it’s important to note that she remains one of the most beloved characters in the Walking Dead universe. Her departure from the spinoff did not diminish her legacy within the franchise, and fans continue to celebrate her portrayal of Carol.
Melissa McBride’s Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Melissa McBride’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $10 million. This is a significant achievement for an actress who has always remained somewhat private about her personal life. Her financial success comes primarily from her long-running role in The Walking Dead, where she became a central figure and one of the most beloved characters.
Her primary source of income has been her acting career, but she has also earned from endorsement deals, public appearances, and merchandising. Given her enduring popularity and ongoing recognition in the entertainment industry, McBride’s net worth could grow further in the coming years.
Final Thoughts
Melissa McBride’s career has been marked by her remarkable transformation from a supporting role to a central figure in The Walking Dead. Her portrayal of Carol Peletier remains one of the most iconic in the world of television, and she is widely regarded as one of the best actresses of her generation.
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Though she has stepped away from the spinoff series, McBride's legacy within the Walking Dead universe is secure. She continues to enjoy a fruitful career, maintaining a balanced life away from the spotlight while also remaining one of the most beloved stars in the TV world.
Whether you’re a fan of her work in The Walking Dead or excited to see what she does next, one thing is certain — Melissa McBride’s impact on the entertainment industry will continue to be felt for years to come.
