Inside Wendy Schaal life. Her net worth, marriage, divorce, second husband, and children.
If you are a fan of Joe Dante’s movies, you have probably seen Wendy Schaal in some of his most popular films. She is the actress who played Wendy in Innerspace, Bonnie Rumsfield in The ‘Burbs, and Marion Fimple in Small Soldiers. She is also a prolific voice actress who has lent her voice to many animated characters, most notably Francine Smith, the loyal and quirky wife of Stan Smith in the hit comedy show American Dad!. While the road to stardom has not been technically easy for Wendy, she has managed to make the best of what she has and is now one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. In this article, we will take a closer look at the wiki-bio of Wendy Schaal.
Upbringing
Wendy Schaal was born on July 2, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, to Lois and Richard Schaal, a renowned actor. She spent her first five years in Crete, Illinois, before moving with her mother to Newport Beach, California, following her parents’ divorce. She had a close relationship with her father and his second wife, actress Valerie Harper, who became her stepmother in 1964. Wendy visited them frequently in New York and later in Hollywood, where they settled.
Wendy showed an early interest in acting and studied with Viola Spolin in Chicago when she was nine years old. She moved with her mother to Wisconsin and then back to California when she was 11. She attended Los Angeles City College and earned an Associate of Arts degree. She also worked in set construction and participated in an acting workshop led by her father. This opened the doors for her to start working on television in the mid-1970s.
Wendy Schaal was influenced by her father’s career and his passion for comedy. She followed his footsteps and became a versatile actress who could play both dramatic and comedic roles
Professional Career
Wendy took up acting at a young age and made her debut appearance in the TV series, Happy Days. She also made appearances in the popular sitcom Rhoda, and Phyllis. Even during her teenage years, Wendy continued acting and appeared in series including, Little House in the Prairie, Welcome Back Kotter, Family, and Fantasy Island.
After graduating from college in 1967, Wendy took acting more seriously and was cast in movies like Bound for Glory and Record City. After a couple of years in the industry, Wendy realized that she was more suited to TV series than movies. Since then, Wendy has made numerous appearances in TV series including Murder, She Wrote, MacGyver, Amazing Stories, Gung Ho. Wendy also made one-off appearances in popular TV series of the 90s including Fired Up, Out There, and Star Trek: Voyage, Friends, The X-Files, and Red Shoe Diaries.
While Wendy had a penchant for TV series, she did not completely give up on movies either. A few of the movies under her belt include Creature, Innerspace, When the Time Comes, and Munchies. Wendy landed her first role as a voice actor in the animated series, Bright Lights, Big City. Even though Wendy has cast to make up for additional voices, she took a liking to her work and set out to be a voice actor.
Her most prominent role in voice-acting came in 2005 when Wendy was cast to voice Francine Smith in the series, American Dad. Wendy loves her work and thinks of the entire team as a family. At the 10th anniversary of the event, Wendy mentioned,
“We’ve had so much life happen! We’ve got babies born, and marriages, and divorces, and deaths, and everything… When you work together with people for a whole decade, a lot happens.”
Net Worth
Wendy Schaal has amassed a considerable fortune from her long and successful career in the entertainment industry. She has an estimated net worth of $6 Million as of 2023. Her primary source of income comes from her acting career, but she has also made her mark as a voice actress, which has helped boost her earnings. Her annual salary varies depending on the projects she works on.
As for her assets, there is not much information available about her houses, cars, endorsements, properties or possessions. However, it is known that she is a cat lover and avid traveler.
Personal Life
Wendy Schaal has been entertaining audiences for over four decades. But behind the scenes, Wendy has also experienced the joys and sorrows of love and family. Wendy has been divorced once but after learning the lesson she channeled her love and energy into the profession and has not since been into marital commitment.
Marriage & Children
Wendy Schaal and her first husband Stephen M. Schwartz, a musician and composer, got married on September 4, 1977, in a small ceremony attended by their close friends and family. Wendy was 23 years old and Stephen was 28.
They welcomed their first and only child, a son named Adam Victor Schwartz, on August 19, 1978. Wendy was overjoyed to become a mother. She balanced her work and motherhood. She also made sure to spend quality time with him, reading him stories, playing games, and taking him to Disneyland.
Despite their love and friendship, Wendy and Stephen’s marriage did not last. They separated in 1986, after nine years of marriage, and finalized their divorce on October 11, 1987. The reasons for their split are not publicly known, but they remained amicable and respectful toward each other. They also co-parented Adam, who was nine years old at the time of their divorce.
Second Marriage?
After her divorce from Stephen, Wendy remained single for a long time. She focused on her career and her son, and did not date anyone seriously. As of 2023, she is unmarried and single.
Physical Traits & Dressing Style
Wendy Schaal has blonde hair that she often wears in a short bob or a ponytail. She has a slender figure and a fair complexion ad brown eyes. She stands at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 120 pounds.
Wendy Schaal’s dressing style is elegant and sophisticated. She likes to wear classic outfits that flatter her shape and accentuate her features. She prefers neutral colors such as black, white, beige, and navy, but sometimes adds a pop of color with accessories or shoes. She often wears dresses or skirts with blouses or jackets, and completes her look with heels, jewelry, and a matching purse. She also likes to wear casual outfits such as jeans, t-shirts, and sweaters when she is not working.
Zodiac and Personality Traits
Wendy Schaal was born on July 2, 1954, which makes her a Cancer zodiac sign. Cancer is a water sign ruled by the moon, and is known for being emotional, intuitive, loyal, and creative. Some of the personality traits of a Cancer are:
- They are deeply caring and compassionate, especially towards their family and friends.
- They are highly imaginative and artistic, and often have a talent for writing, painting, or other forms of expression.
- They are sensitive and empathetic, and can easily pick up on the moods and feelings of others.
- They are protective and nurturing, but sometimes they can be overbearing or clingy.
- They are loyal and faithful, but they also expect the same from their partners and friends.
- They are emotional and moody, and can be prone to mood swings or insecurity.
- They are home-loving and domestic, and enjoy creating cozy and comfortable spaces for themselves and their loved ones.
Wendy Schaal may exhibit some or all of these traits in her personal and professional life. She is best known for being the voice of Francine Smith in the animated series American Dad, which showcases her creativity and humor. She may also be influenced by her moon sign, which is Leo, giving her more confidence, charisma, and warmth. Leo is a fire sign that complements Cancer’s water element, creating a balance between passion and emotion.
Wiki/Bio Facts
Fact | Value |
---|---|
Full name | Wendy K. Schaal |
Date of birth | July 2, 1954 |
Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
Nationality | American |
Gender | Female |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height | 5′ 5″ (1.65 m) |
Body | Slender |
Eye Color | Brown |
Hair Color | Blonde |
Occupation | Actress and voice-over artist |
Net Worth | $6 Million (estimated) |
Years active | 1976–present |
Known for | Innerspace, The ‘Burbs, Small Soldiers, American Dad! |
Spouse | Stephen M. Schwartz (1977-1987) |
Children | 1 (Adam Victor Schwartz) |
Parents | Richard Schaal (father) and Lois Schaal (mother) |
Step-parents | Valerie Harper (former stepmother) |
Education | Los Angeles City College |
First film role | Mary Jo Guthrie in Bound for Glory (1976) |
First TV role | Carol in Welcome Back, Kotter (1976) |
Other works | Fish, Little House on the Prairie, Phyllis, Rhoda, Fantasy Island, AfterMASH, Good Grief, It’s a Living, Nearly Departed, Airwolf |