Sara Gilbert, best known for her iconic role as Darlene Conner on Roseanne and its spin-off The Conners, has carved out a diverse career in television. As of 2025, Sara Gilbert’s net worth is estimated at $30 million, the result of decades of acting, producing, and television development. From child star to Emmy-winning talk show host, Gilbert’s financial journey reflects her talent, versatility, and long-standing presence in Hollywood.
From Child Actor to Breakout Star
Born Sara Rebecca Abeles on January 29, 1975, in Santa Monica, California, the now 50-year-old actress was immersed in the entertainment world early on. Her mother, Barbara Cowan, and father, Harold Abeles, were both Jewish. Through her mother’s marriage to Paul Gilbert, she became the half-sibling of Melissa Gilbert and Jonathan Gilbert, stars of Little House on the Prairie.
Inspired by Melissa receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sara decided at just six years old to pursue acting. She later adopted the surname “Gilbert” and began acting in elementary school, setting the stage for what would become a standout Hollywood career.
Breakthrough With Roseanne and Early Career Highlights
Gilbert’s big break came at age 13 when she was cast as Darlene Conner on ABC’s Roseanne in 1988. The series ran until 1997 and cemented Sara as a standout child and teen actress. Her dry wit and mature screen presence won her acclaim, including multiple Young Artist Awards.
During and after Roseanne, Gilbert also appeared in notable films like Poison Ivy (1992) with Drew Barrymore and Riding in Cars with Boys (2001). She also earned praise for her role on ER from 2004 to 2007, and as Leslie Winkle on The Big Bang Theory between 2007 and 2016.
Career Expansion: Writing, Directing, and Producing
Gilbert has always worn multiple hats. Beyond acting, she has made her mark as a writer, director, and executive producer. Her writing credits include the Roseanne episode “Don’t Make Me Over” and 11 episodes of the Canadian docuseries Dogs with Jobs. She also directed the short film Persona Non Grata in 1996 and the 1998 TV film Even the Losers.
Her executive producing work gained new momentum with The Conners, the successful spin-off of Roseanne following its reboot and cancellation. Gilbert has remained a central creative force in the show’s ongoing success.
The Talk and Television Hosting Success
In 2010, Sara Gilbert created the daytime talk show The Talk, which became a breakout hit for CBS. She served as a co-host and executive producer from the show’s debut until her emotional departure in 2019.
While on The Talk, Gilbert and her co-hosts won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host in 2017. The show allowed Gilbert to explore a more personal side of herself, including her public coming-out story.
Acting Comeback and The Conners Salary
Returning to her roots, Gilbert reprised her role as Darlene in the Roseanne reboot in 2018, which was quickly reimagined as The Conners after the original show’s cancellation. As of season three, her salary reportedly reached $400,000 per episode, totaling up to $8 million per 20-episode season—a major driver of her net worth.
This consistent paycheck, combined with royalties and syndication income from Roseanne, makes her one of the highest-paid talents on The Conners.
Personal Life and Relationships
In her teen years, Gilbert dated Roseanne co-star Johnny Galecki, during which she realized she was a lesbian. She later shared this experience publicly on The Talk, noting Galecki’s support and discretion.
In 2001, she began a long-term relationship with Ali Adler, a TV producer and co-creator of Supergirl. The couple had two children—Levi, born in 2004 (via Adler), and Sawyer, born in 2007 (via Gilbert). They split in 2011.
Gilbert then became engaged to musician and 4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry in 2013. They married in 2014 and welcomed a son, Rhodes, in 2015. Sara filed for legal separation from Perry in December 2019, citing irreconcilable differences.
Today, Gilbert is a mother of three and continues to balance her creative career with family life, often emphasizing the importance of personal time and parenting in her public statements.
Real Estate and Assets
Gilbert has invested wisely in real estate over the years. In 2016, she purchased a 6,100-square-foot mansion in Hancock Park for $6.85 million. Previously, she and Perry owned a $3.5 million Sunset Strip home and a Beverly Hills property that she sold to actress Penélope Cruz for $3.3 million.
Her real estate investments have contributed substantially to her overall net worth and financial stability.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Throughout her career, Sara Gilbert has received numerous accolades. She’s a two-time Primetime Emmy nominee, a four-time Young Artist Award winner, and the recipient of a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Poison Ivy.
She also won a Humanitarian Award at the 2009 LA Femme International Film Festival and received critical acclaim for her guest appearance on Grey’s Anatomy, which earned her a Gold Derby Award nomination in 2010.
Final Thoughts: Sara Gilbert’s Career and Net Worth in 2025
From child star to executive producer and talk show host, Sara Gilbert’s net worth of $30 million in 2025 is a reflection of her longevity and impact in Hollywood. With a resume that spans acting, writing, producing, and directing, she has quietly become one of the most respected multi-hyphenates in the television world.
As she continues her work on The Conners and pursues new creative ventures, Gilbert remains a powerful example of personal authenticity and professional evolution—proof that reinvention and resilience can lead to lasting success.
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