Penn Badgley, the Baltimore-born actor who rose to fame as the brooding outsider Dan Humphrey on the teen drama sensation Gossip Girl, has become a household name in Hollywood thanks to a career defined by consistency, range, and a quiet charisma. As of 2025, Penn Badgley’s net worth is estimated at $8 million, a fortune built through acting, music, producing, and long-standing roles in fan-favorite TV series. At 38 years old, Badgley remains both relevant and respected in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Creative Foundations
Penn Dayton Badgley was born on November 1, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Lynne Murphy and Duff Badgley, a journalist-turned-carpenter who once ran for governor of Washington as a Green Party candidate. Penn spent much of his childhood between Woodlake, Virginia and Seattle, Washington. His early exposure to the arts came through Seattle Children’s Theatre, where he began acting in stage productions and quickly developed a passion for performance.
He attended Woolridge Elementary School, later moving into the honors program at Swift Creek Elementary where he also played soccer. He would go on to study at Charles Wright Academy, an elite private school in Tacoma. At just 11 years old, Penn relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally. There, he began doing voice-overs for children’s radio stations and even recorded a pop single in 1998.
By 14, Badgley had already completed his California High School Proficiency Exam and enrolled at Santa Monica College. He was later accepted to the University of Southern California, but deferred admission due to work obligations.
Early Career: Soap Operas and Sitcoms
Penn’s screen debut came in the late 1990s with guest appearances on shows like Will & Grace (1998). His youthful look and expressive acting soon earned him more roles, including recurring characters in The Young and the Restless (1973), The Brothers Garcia (2000), and Daddio (2000). These early credits helped him refine his acting skills while introducing him to the structure and pace of the television industry.
Though many of these roles were brief, they were instrumental in building the foundation for his breakout performance a few years later.
Breakthrough with Gossip Girl
In 2007, Penn Badgley was cast as Dan Humphrey, the outsider from Brooklyn with a heart of gold and a talent for writing, in The CW’s hit series Gossip Girl. Based on Cecily von Ziegesar’s bestselling novels, the show followed a group of wealthy high schoolers on Manhattan’s Upper East Side navigating romance, scandal, and betrayal—all under the watchful eye of an anonymous gossip blogger.
As Dan, Badgley played a pivotal character whose on-and-off relationship with Serena van der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively, became the emotional center of the show. His nuanced portrayal of Dan—a scholarship student in a world of privilege—resonated with viewers and critics alike.
Gossip Girl ran for six seasons from 2007 to 2012, spanning 121 episodes, and catapulted Badgley into international stardom. During this period, he was nominated for several Teen Choice Awards and appeared on numerous magazine covers. The role remains one of his most iconic and is often referenced in pop culture.
Career Beyond Gossip Girl
After Gossip Girl, Badgley continued to evolve as an actor, avoiding typecasting by choosing diverse roles. He starred in films like:
- John Tucker Must Die (2006)
- The Stepfather (2009)
- Easy A (2010) alongside Emma Stone
- Margin Call (2011), a critically acclaimed Wall Street drama where he shared the screen with Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons
- Greetings from Tim Buckley (2012), where he portrayed the late singer Jeff Buckley
In recent years, Badgley has returned to television with a vengeance, landing the role of Joe Goldberg in the Netflix thriller You. His portrayal of the charming yet disturbingly obsessive stalker earned him praise for exploring the darker edges of romance and obsession. Since premiering in 2018, You has become one of Netflix’s most-watched original series, running multiple seasons and introducing Badgley to a new generation of fans.
Net Worth and Income Sources
As of 2025, Penn Badgley’s net worth is estimated at $8 million. His income is derived primarily from:
- Television salaries, especially from Gossip Girl and You
- Film roles
- Music—he is the lead singer of the band MOTHXR, which released its debut album Centerfold in 2016
- Producing credits, including his work as a producer on later seasons of You
In addition, Penn has earned money through appearances, endorsements, and brand partnerships, although he maintains a relatively low commercial profile compared to other actors of his generation.
Personal Life
Penn Badgley married Domino Kirke, a British-American singer and doula, in 2017. The couple had their son, James, in 2020, and Badgley is also a stepfather to Cassius, Kirke’s son from a previous relationship. Domino’s father, Simon Kirke, is a famed drummer for the rock bands Free and Bad Company.
Penn is known for his Baha’i faith, which he adopted in 2015. He has been open about how spirituality has helped shape his approach to fame, relationships, and purpose. He is also active in various social justice causes and once appeared in a campaign video supporting Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential run.
Final Thoughts
Penn Badgley’s journey from child voice actor to television mainstay is a testament to his versatility and quiet determination. With a career now spanning over two decades and a net worth of $8 million, Badgley has successfully navigated the tricky transition from teen heartthrob to respected actor, producer, and public figure.