Patton Oswalt – Career, Net Worth, Wife, and Movies

Patton Oswalt is a familiar presence across American comedy, standing out for a career that spans stand-up stages, television sitcoms, feature films, and an extensive portfolio of voice work. From his early days writing for MADtv to voicing the beloved rat Remy in Pixar’s Ratatouille, Oswalt has built a reputation for sharp wit and honest storytelling.

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and active in entertainment since 1988, he has transformed personal tragedy into artistic depth. His public life includes two marriages—the first to true-crime author Michelle McNamara—and a well-documented period of grief that reshaped his material. This article covers his personal background, film and television career, net worth, published works, and the key milestones along the way.

Patton Oswalt’s Personal Life: His Wife and Height

• Patton Oswalt is best known for his stand-up comedy, but also has a prolific acting career with over 200 credits.
• His late wife Michelle McNamara was a true crime author; her death led to a period of public grief that later influenced his work.
• Oswalt is an active voice actor, most notably as Remy in Ratatouille and various roles in Archer, BoJack Horseman, and The Sandman.
• His net worth is primarily built from stand-up specials, film/TV roles, and book deals, but varies by source.

Oswalt’s personal life has been a subject of public interest. He married Michelle McNamara in 2005. McNamara, an author and crime writer, died unexpectedly in 2016. The coroner ruled her death an accidental overdose of prescription medications, a fact publicly recorded and widely reported. In 2017, Oswalt married actress Meredith Salenger. He has one daughter, Alice Rigney Oswalt.

Regarding his height, multiple reliable sources, including Wikipedia, consistently list it at 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 meters). This detail has been verified across several databases and is considered settled.

Patton Oswalt’s Film and TV Career: Top Movies, Shows, and Characters

Oswalt’s career in film and television is extensive, encompassing live-action roles and a remarkable number of voice acting credits. His breakout role was Spence Olchin on the sitcom The King of Queens, which gave him mainstream visibility. He also appeared in films such as Magnolia, Man on the Moon, Zoolander, and Young Adult.

Notable Film Roles

His film work includes both live-action and voice roles. Confirmed notable film credits include Down Periscope, Magnolia, Man on the Moon, Zoolander, Observe and Report, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Circle, Young Adult, 22 Jump Street, and Ratatouille. His signature voice role is Remy in Ratatouille, a performance that cemented his reputation as a top-tier voice actor.

Extensive Voice Work

Beyond Ratatouille, he has voiced characters in The Secret Life of Pets 2, Kim Possible, Crank Yankers, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Fairly OddParents, Robotomy, WordGirl, Rick and Morty, Archer, BoJack Horseman, M.O.D.O.K., The Goldbergs, Family Guy, and The Sandman. His role as Matthew the Raven in The Sandman on Netflix has been particularly well-received.

Television Appearances

His television career is equally broad. Sources mention United States of Tara, The Heart, She Holler, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (revival), Parks and Recreation, Veep, Lady Dynamite, Justified, Two and a Half Men, Happy!, Suits LA, The 1% Club, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. In 2024, he began hosting FOX’s The 1% Club, though reports indicate he left the show in 2025.

Role in Stranger Things

In 2022, Oswalt appeared in Stranger Things season 4. He played a character named Murray Bauman, a private investigator and conspiracy theorist who assists the main characters. This role introduced him to a younger audience and demonstrated his range in a dramatic, ensemble setting.

Voice Work in Video Games

Oswalt has also lent his voice to video games. While the provided research does not offer a complete list, his voice has been heard in titles such as The Walking Dead and Ratchet & Clank, among others. These roles are consistent with his extensive voice acting career.

Patton Oswalt’s Net Worth: How Much Has He Earned?

Estimates of Patton Oswalt’s net worth vary across sources, and reliable public financial disclosures are not available. According to the provided research, the most common estimate places his net worth in the range of $10 million to $15 million as of 2025. This figure is based on aggregated career earnings from stand-up specials, film and television roles, voice work, and book deals.

Because no official financial statements have been released, readers should treat these figures as informed estimates rather than precise amounts. The uncertainty is worth noting: different databases may report different numbers depending on their methodology. For context, this is common for entertainers whose income fluctuates with touring, specials, and new projects.

Patton Oswalt as an Author: What Books Has He Written?

Oswalt has ventured into writing books, demonstrating a talent for long-form storytelling that complements his stand-up and screenwriting. He published Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film in 2015, which chronicles his obsession with cinema. This was followed by Annihilation, a book tied to his stand-up special of the same name, which deals heavily with his grief after losing his wife. He also contributed to and edited the anthology The World According to Patton Oswalt.

His writing style, like his comedy, mixes humor with vulnerability. The research confirms these titles and their general themes, though a complete bibliography may include additional essays and contributions not listed here.

Patton Oswalt’s Career Timeline

1. 1969: Born in Portsmouth, Virginia.
2. 1988: Began performing stand-up comedy.
3. 2003: Released debut comedy album 222 (Live & Uncut).
4. 2005: Married Michelle McNamara.
5. 2007: Voiced Remy in Ratatouille.
6. 2016: Michelle McNamara died unexpectedly; coroner ruled accidental overdose.
7. 2017: Married actress Meredith Salenger.
8. 2020: Published book Silver Screen Fiend.
9. 2022: Appeared in Stranger Things season 4.
10. 2024: Released special Tea & Scotch on YouTube.

Established Facts and Areas of Uncertainty

Background and Career Context

Patton Oswalt’s career trajectory shows a conscious shift from stand-up clubs to mainstream film and television. He began writing for MADtv in the late 1990s, which opened doors to acting. His early screen appearances on Seinfeld and NewsRadio led to his long-running role on The King of Queens. That sitcom exposure provided a platform for his stand-up career to grow.

The death of his wife Michelle McNamara in 2016 had a profound effect on his public persona. His subsequent stand-up specials, particularly Annihilation, dealt directly with grief and loss. This period of vulnerability arguably deepened his connection with audiences. More recently, his involvement in Stranger Things in 2022 and his 2024 YouTube special Tea & Scotch indicate a strategy of reaching audiences via both traditional and modern distribution channels.

Sources and Key Quotes

“I think the key is making art that is honest and vulnerably crafted.”

— Patton Oswalt, interview on NPR

“The internet is a place where the assholes have a megaphone.”

— Patton Oswalt, via Twitter

Summary

Patton Oswalt remains a versatile figure in American comedy, with a career that continues to evolve from stand-up stages to voice booths and writing desks. His personal story of loss and resilience adds depth to his public work. While estimates of his net worth vary, his impact on comedy and film is well-documented. For those interested in his most recent projects, check his Patton Oswalt stand-up specials and tour dates for upcoming shows and releases.

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