What is Thora Birch's Net Worth?
Thora Birch, an accomplished actress known for her roles in numerous films, has amassed a net worth of $6 million. Birch gained fame as a child star in the 90s, featuring in movies such as "Patriot Games," "Hocus Pocus," "Monkey Trouble," and "Alaska." However, it was her adult breakthrough in the critically acclaimed Best Picture winner "American Beauty" that solidified her place in the industry. Birch has also made notable appearances on television, including the television film "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story" and the tenth season of the popular AMC series "The Walking Dead."
Early Life
Thora Birch was born on March 11, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, to Carol and Jack, both of whom were former adult actors known for their roles in the iconic adult film "Deep Throat." Birch comes from a diverse ancestral background, with Scandinavian, French-Canadian, Italian, and German-Jewish roots. She has a younger brother named Kian. Birch embarked on her entertainment career at a young age, appearing in a Quaker Oats commercial at the age of four. She further showcased her talent in commercials for renowned brands such as Burger King, Vlasic Pickles, and California Raisins.

Child Star in Film
At the age of six, Birch made her film debut in the science-fiction comedy "Purple People Eater" in 1988. The film, which also starred Neil Patrick Harris, Ned Beatty, and Shelley Winters, earned her a Young Artist Award. Birch went on to star in various movies throughout her childhood, including the drama "Paradise" alongside Elijah Wood, Don Johnson, and Melanie Griffith, as well as the Christmas romcom "All I Want for Christmas." Notably, Birch portrayed the daughter of Harrison Ford's character in the spy thriller "Patriot Games" based on the Tom Clancy novel. She also appeared in the fantasy comedy "Hocus Pocus" and the animal-focused comedy "Monkey Trouble," where she acted alongside a capuchin monkey. Furthermore, Birch reprised her role from "Patriot Games" in the sequel "Clear and Present Danger" and played the younger version of Melanie Griffith's character in the coming-of-age film "Now and Then." She rounded off her child star career by starring in the adventure survival drama "Alaska."
Further Film Career
Birch achieved her breakthrough as an adult in the 1999 Best Picture Oscar winner "American Beauty," directed by Sam Mendes. In the film, she portrayed Jane Burnham, the introverted daughter of Kevin Spacey's lead character, earning her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Following her success in "American Beauty," Birch appeared in various films, including the direct-to-DVD black comedy "The Smokers," the fantasy adventure "Dungeons & Dragons," and the psychological thriller "The Hole." One of her most acclaimed performances was in Terry Zwigoff's black comedy "Ghost World," based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes. The movie starred Birch alongside Scarlett Johansson and Steve Buscemi, and she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Birch's filmography also includes the political satire "Silver City," the horror-thriller "Dark Corners," and the crime film "Winter of Frozen Dreams."
In recent years, Birch has continued to showcase her talent in various films, such as the dramedy "Petunia," where she played the titular character, and the romantic comedy "The Competition" and political thriller "Affairs of State" in 2018. She has also appeared in films like "The Last Black Man in San Francisco," "Kindred Spirits," "Above Suspicion," and "13 Minutes."


(Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic)
Television Career
Birch began her television career as a child, making her debut on the NBC sitcom "Day by Day" in which she portrayed the recurring character Molly from 1988 to 1989. In the same year, she also made a guest appearance on the medical sitcom "Doogie Howser, M.D." During the 90s, Birch appeared in the television film "Dark Avenger" and had a main role in the sitcom adaptation of Ron Howard's film "Parenthood." She went on to make appearances in various television shows, including "Amen," "Monty," "The Outer Limits," "Promised Land," and "Touched by an Angel." In 1999, Birch appeared in the CBS television film "Night Ride Home."

In the 2000s, Birch transitioned to the small screen less frequently. However, she delivered one of her most lauded performances in the 2003 biographical television film "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story," where she portrayed the titular character. Birch received an Emmy nomination for her exceptional portrayal. In 2010, she starred in the television film "The Pregnancy Test." Birch later had a guest role in the first season of the science-fiction series "Colony" and a recurring role in the tenth season of the post-apocalyptic horror series "The Walking Dead." Notably, Birch made her directorial debut in the Lifetime biographical television film "The Gabby Petito Story," in which she also appeared.
Personal Life
In late 2018, Thora Birch married talent manager and philanthropist Michael Benton Adler.

Leave a Reply