David Edward Kelley was born on 4 April 1956, in Waterville, Maine USA, the son of Jack Kelley, who served as the coach of New England Whalers hockey team and as the president of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is a television writer and producer, well known for creating several television series including “L.A. Law”, “Picket Fences”, “Chicago Hope”, “The Practice”, “Ally McBeal”, “Boston Public”, “Boston Legal” and “Harry’s Law”.
So just how rich is David Kelley? According to sources, Kelley has amassed a net worth over $250 million, as of mid-2016, accumulated during his screenwriting and producing career now spanning over 30 years.
David E. Kelley Net Worth $250 Million
Kelley grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts, where he attended the Belmont Hill School. Upon matriculating, he enrolled in Princeton University, majoring in political science. After his graduation in 1979, he attended Boston University Law School, earning his J.D. in 1983. He later began working at a Boston law firm, where he largely dealt with real estate and minor criminal cases.
In 1983 Kelley began writing a screenplay based on some of his experiences in law. After optioning the script in 1986, he obtained an agent, and his story turned into the 1987 film “From the Hip”. Around the same time, the script came into the hands of Steven Bochco, who hired Kelley as a story editor for his new series “L.A. Law”, eventually upgrading his position to executive story editor, co-producer, and then to executive producer. The series became extremely successful, earning Kelley two Emmys for writing; he left the show in 1991, but meanwhile, along with Bochco, he created the series “Doogie Howser, M.D.” that ran on ABC from 1989 to 1993. His net worth was rising nicely.
Starting his own production company in 1992, Kelley created his own series, “Picket Fences” for CBS, which won 14 Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. His second series for CBS was the medical drama “Chicago Hope”, which ran from 1994 to 2000, earning seven Emmy awards. Again, all added to Kelley’s net worth.
In 1995 he signed a five-year deal with 20th Century Fox Television to produce two series: “Ally McBeal for FOX and “The Practice” for ABC, both shows focusing on Boston law firms, however, in different ways. “The Practice” aired from 1997 to 2004 and “Ally McBeal” from 1997 to 2002, receiving high praises and winning numerous awards, which made Kelley the first producer to win Emmy and Golden Globe Awards in both the Outstanding/Best Drama Series and Outstanding/Best Comedy Series categories in the same year. His wealth was boosted again.
After extending his arrangement with 20th Century Fox Television in 2000, Kelley became the highest-paid producer in TV history, earning around $40 million a year. The same year he created “Boston Public”, the series which didn’t follow the success of Kelley’s previous works, but was a modest hit nevertheless. He achieved minor success with his next several series, “Girls Club”, “The Brotherhood of Poland”, “New Hampshire” and the reality show “The Law Firm”. However, his next project “Boston Legal”, a spin-off of “The Practice”, which lasted from 2004 to 2008, enjoyed astonishing popularity, winning seven Emmys and considerably adding to Kelley’s net worth.
In 2008, he signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television. In 2011 he created the legal drama “Harry’s Law”, which became the network’s second most-watched series. After its cancellation in 2012, Kelley went on to create the series “Monday Mornings” for TNT and then “The Crazy Ones” for CBS. However both series were soon canceled. He is currently working on a new series called “Goliath”, announced to be released in fall 2016, no doubt looking to lift his net worth further. As a screenwriter who has created series aired on major networks, Kelley has established a spectacular reputation in the television industry, and a significant fortune as well.
In his personal life, Kelley has been married to actress Michelle Pfeiffer since 1993. The couple has two children, including a daughter which Pfeiffer adopted several months before the couple married.
Edgar Award for Best Television Episode Teleplay (2004), TCA Award (1999), Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television (2001), PGA Television Producer of the Year Award (1999), Paul Selvin Award (1996), Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement (2003)
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Episodic Drama, TCA Career Achievement Award, British Academy Television International Award, Producers Guild of America Award - Norman Felton Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Telev...
Movies
"Wonder Woman" (2011), "Lake Placid 2" (2007), "Frankie and Johnny Are Married" (2003), "From the Hip" (1987), "Mystery, Alaska" (1999)
[on scripting The Crazy Ones for Robin Williams] He says my words perfectly - then he uses his. I feel like I've been handed the keys to a car that I'm ill-equipped to drive.
2
I tend to be a little grand in terms of storytelling, I've never been limited by anybody's sense of reality.
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Fact
1
Started writing as a hobby at the age of 27.
2
Michelle Pfeiffer was already in the process of adopting a child by the time she met David. They had only been together for two months when their daughter Claudia Rose was added to their family.
Has an adopted daughter named Claudia Rose (born in 1993) with Michelle Pfeiffer.
6
Has a son, John Henry, with his wife Michelle Pfeiffer. The son, born in 1994, is named after David's father.
7
David Kelley's father Jack Kelley was the former head coach for the Boston University Terriers hockey team and the first head coach for the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association formed in 1972.
8
The most Kelley-created shows to be on at any given time was five during the 1999-2000 television season, with Chicago Hope (1994) on CBS, The Practice (1997), and Snoops (1999) on ABC, and Ally McBeal (1997) and Ally (1999) on Fox.
9
Kelley became the first producer to win Emmy and Golden Globe Awards in both the Outstanding/Best Drama Series (The Practice (1997)) and Outstanding/Best Comedy Series (Ally McBeal (1997)) categories in the same year. [1999].
10
His father, Jack Kelley, was at one time director of operations for the Glens Falls [New York] Civic Center.
TV Series created by - 22 episodes, 2013 - 2014 written by - 2 episodes, 2013 - 2014
Monday Mornings
TV Series created by - 10 episodes, 2013 written by - 8 episodes, 2013 teleplay - 1 episode, 2013 teleplay by - 1 episode, 2013
Harry's Law
TV Series created by - 34 episodes, 2011 - 2012 written by - 29 episodes, 2011 - 2012 story by - 1 episode, 2012 teleplay by - 1 episode, 2012
Wonder Woman
2011
TV Movie teleplay
Legally Mad
2010
TV Movie creator
Boston Legal
TV Series created by - 101 episodes, 2004 - 2008 written by - 68 episodes, 2004 - 2008 story - 7 episodes, 2004 - 2008 teleplay - 7 episodes, 2004 - 2008 story by - 3 episodes, 2004 - 2007 teleplay by - 3 episodes, 2004 - 2007
Life on Mars
2008
TV Movie written by
Lake Placid 2
2007
TV Movie original concept - uncredited
The Wedding Bells
TV Series created by - 7 episodes, 2007 written by - 6 episodes, 2007
The Law Firm
2005
TV Series creator
Boston Public
TV Series created by - 81 episodes, 2000 - 2004 written by - 41 episodes, 2000 - 2003 teleplay - 2 episodes, 2001 story - 1 episode, 2001
The Practice
TV Series created by - 167 episodes, 1997 - 2004 written by - 131 episodes, 1997 - 2004 teleplay by - 9 episodes, 1997 - 2004 story by - 6 episodes, 1997 - 2001 story - 2 episodes, 2002 teleplay - 2 episodes, 2002 story & teleplay - 1 episode, 2003
The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire
2003
TV Series written by - 5 episodes
Girls Club
TV Series created by - 9 episodes, 2002 written by - 1 episode, 2002
Ally McBeal
TV Series created by - 112 episodes, 1997 - 2002 written by - 100 episodes, 1997 - 2002 story - 6 episodes, 2000 - 2002 teleplay - 6 episodes, 2000 - 2002 story by - 5 episodes, 1998 - 2002 teleplay by - 5 episodes, 1998 - 2002
Chicago Hope
TV Series created by - 141 episodes, 1994 - 2000 written by - 20 episodes, 1994 - 2000 teleplay by - 4 episodes, 1995 story by - 3 episodes, 1995
Snoops
TV Series created by - 13 episodes, 1999 - 2000 written by - 5 episodes, 1999
Mystery, Alaska
1999
written by
Lake Placid
1999
written by
To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
1996
screenplay
Picket Fences
TV Series created by - 88 episodes, 1992 - 1996 written by - 5 episodes, 1992 - 1994
Mixed Nuts
1996
TV Movie
Doogie Howser, M.D.
TV Series created by - 97 episodes, 1989 - 1993 written by - 2 episodes, 1989
L.A. Law
TV Series written by - 60 episodes, 1986 - 1992 teleplay by - 8 episodes, 1986 - 1988
From the Hip
1987
screenplay / story
Mr. Mercedes
2018
TV Series screenplay - 1 episode pre-production
Big Little Lies
2017
TV Series teleplay by - 1 episode post-production
Goliath
TV Series created by - 8 episodes, 2016 written by - 5 episodes, 2016
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mr. Mercedes
2018
TV Series executive producer - 1 episode pre-production
Big Little Lies
2017
TV Series executive producer - 7 episodes post-production
Goliath
2016
TV Series executive producer - 8 episodes
The Crazy Ones
2013-2014
TV Series executive producer - 22 episodes
Monday Mornings
2013
TV Series executive producer - 10 episodes
Harry's Law
2011-2012
TV Series executive producer - 34 episodes
Wonder Woman
2011
TV Movie executive producer
Legally Mad
2010
TV Movie executive producer
Boston Legal
2004-2008
TV Series executive producer - 101 episodes
Life on Mars
2008
TV Movie executive producer
The Wedding Bells
2007
TV Series executive producer - 4 episodes
The Law Firm
2005
TV Series executive producer
Halley's Comet
2005
TV Movie executive producer
DeMarco Affairs
2004
TV Movie executive producer
The Practice
1997-2004
TV Series executive producer - 167 episodes
The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire
2003
TV Series executive producer
Boston Public
2000-2002
TV Series executive producer - 13 episodes
Girls Club
2002
TV Series executive producer / producer
Ally McBeal
1997-2002
TV Series executive producer - 109 episodes
Chicago Hope
TV Series consulting producer - 22 episodes, 1999 - 2000 executive producer - 22 episodes, 1994 - 1995
TV Series executive consultant - 22 episodes, 1991 - 1992 story editor - 20 episodes, 1986 - 1987 executive story editor - 12 episodes, 1987 - 1988
Doogie Howser, M.D.
1989-1992
TV Series creative consultant - 74 episodes
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Frankie and Johnny Are Married
2003
David E. Kelley
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Tiny Little Lies
2008
special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Unsung
2015
TV Series documentary
Himself
Tavis Smiley
2012
TV Series
Himself
The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards
2012
TV Special
Himself - Audience Member
14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards
2008
TV Special
Himself - Audience Member
The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards
2007
TV Special
Himself - Nominated: Outstanding Drama Series
The 12th Annual Golden Laurel Awards
2001
TV Special
Himself - Winner
3rd Annual TV Guide Awards
2001
TV Special
Himself
Snoops
2000
TV Series
Himself
The 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1999
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Drama Series / Outstanding Comedy Series and Nominated: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1999
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Winner: Best TV-Series - Drama & Comedy / Musical
The 13th Annual Genesis Awards
1999
TV Special
Himself
The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1998
TV Special
Himself - Nominated: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series, Outstanding Comedy Series and Winner: Outstanding Drama Series
The Annual Museum of TV and Radio Honors. A Salute to Jerry Seinfeld and David E. Kelly
1998
TV Movie
Himself - Honoree
The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1998
TV Special
Himself - Best TV-Series - Comedy / Musical & Nominee: Best TV-Series - Drama
The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1997
TV Special
Himself - Audience Member
The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1994
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Drama Series
The 51st Annual Golden Globe Awards
1994
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Best TV Series - Drama
The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1993
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Drama Series
The 65th Annual Academy Awards
1993
TV Special
Himself - Audience Member
The 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1992
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Best TV-Series - Drama
The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1991
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series
L.A. Law 100th Episode Celebration
1991
TV Movie
Himself - Writer
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1990
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series & Outstanding Drama Series
Commitment to Life IV: Los Angeles AIDS Project Benefit
1990
TV Movie
Himself
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1989
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Drama Series & Nominee: Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bygone Days: An Ally McBeal Retrospective
2009
Video short
TV Land Moguls
2009
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2014
OFTA TV Hall of Fame
Online Film & Television Association
Behind the Scenes
Earning 28 Emmy nominations and ten Emmys, series creator David E. Kelley
2004
Edgar
Edgar Allan Poe Awards
Best Television Episode Teleplay
The Practice (1997)
2003
Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
60 Minute Category
The Practice (1997)
2003
Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement
Writers Guild of America, USA
2002
Career Achievement Award
Casting Society of America, USA
2002
Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
60 Minute Category
The Practice (1997)
2001
Lifetime Achievement Award in Television
PGA Awards
2001
Brandon Tartikoff Award
TV Guide Awards
1999
Award of Excellence
Banff Television Festival
1999
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television
The Practice (1997)
1999
TCA Award
Television Critics Association Awards
Individual Achievement in Drama
The Practice (1997)
1999
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Comedy Series
Ally McBeal (1997)
1999
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
The Practice (1997)
1998
Monitor
International Monitor Awards
Film Originated Television Series - Best Achievement
Ally McBeal (1997)
1998
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
The Practice (1997)
1996
Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
60 Minute Category
Picket Fences (1992)
1996
Showmanship Award
Publicists Guild of America
Television
1996
Paul Selvin Honorary Award
Writers Guild of America, USA
1994
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Picket Fences (1992)
1993
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Picket Fences (1992)
1991
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
1991
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
1989
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2009
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama
Boston Legal (2004)
2008
Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
60 Minute Category
Boston Legal (2004)
2008
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal (2004)
2007
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal (2004)
2006
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama