Phoebe Cates captured the hearts of movie fans in the 1980s with her memorable roles in teen classics and family adventures. Best known for her breakout part in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and her touching performance in Gremlins, she stepped away from Hollywood in the 1990s to raise her family. Today, many people search for Phoebe Cates’ net worth and details about her life after fame. Her estimated net worth stands at $35 million, largely from her acting success, modeling work, and smart business choices. This figure is a combined total with her husband, actor Kevin Kline, and comes from public estimates rather than official records.
Key Points
- Phoebe Cates has an estimated net worth of $35 million (combined with her husband Kevin Kline), built mainly from 1980s film roles, modeling, and her boutique business.
- She retired from acting in 1994 to focus on family life and has stayed private since, with only a brief return in 2001.
- At age 62, she runs Blue Tree, a popular boutique in New York City that she opened in 2005.
- Her legacy includes iconic 1980s movie moments that still influence pop culture, even though she chose a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Personal Overview
Born in New York City to a family tied to show business, Phoebe grew up surrounded by creativity. She started as a model at age 10 and quickly moved into acting. After a string of hit films, she married actor Kevin Kline and shifted her focus to home life. The couple has two children and lives in Manhattan.
Career Summary
Phoebe’s biggest hits came early in her career, with roles that made her a household name among teens. She left acting behind to raise her kids and later started a retail business that reflects her personal style.
Current Life
Today, Phoebe Cates keeps a low profile. She manages her Upper East Side boutique and enjoys family time. Her net worth reflects steady earnings from past work and her ongoing business.
Phoebe Cates became a star in the early 1980s thanks to her natural charm and memorable performances in films that defined a generation. From the bold teen comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High to the heartfelt holiday tale in Gremlins, she brought warmth and energy to the screen. After stepping away from acting to prioritize her family, she built a new chapter as a business owner. Many fans still wonder about Phoebe Cates net worth, her journey from child model to Hollywood icon, and what she is doing now. This in-depth look covers her life story, key achievements, personal choices, and financial picture.
Personal Details
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Phoebe Belle Cates Kline |
| Nickname / Stage Name | Phoebe Cates |
| Date of Birth | July 16, 1963 |
| Age | 62 (as of early 2026) |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Retired actress, model, businesswoman |
| Known For | Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins, Gremlins 2: The New Batch |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) |
| Family / Spouse | Married to actor Kevin Kline since March 5, 1989; two children: son Owen Joseph Kline (born 1991) and daughter Greta Simone Kline (born 1994) |
| Education | Professional Children’s School; Juilliard School; School of American Ballet (scholarship ended due to knee injury at age 14) |
| Social Media Followers | No official personal accounts; she maintains a private life |
| Estimated Net Worth | $35 million (combined with husband Kevin Kline; estimate from public sources) |
Early Life & Background
Phoebe Belle Cates grew up in New York City in a family deeply connected to entertainment. Her father, Joseph Cates, was a Broadway producer and television pioneer who helped create The $64,000 Question. Her uncle, Gilbert Cates, produced TV specials and Academy Awards shows. Phoebe Cates mother, Lily, was a former Broadway dancer born in Shanghai to a Chinese-Filipino family. This mix of Russian Jewish and Asian heritage gave Phoebe a unique background.
As a child, Phoebe dreamed of becoming a dancer. She earned a scholarship to the School of American Ballet but had to stop at age 14 after a knee injury. She attended the Professional Children’s School and later took classes at Juilliard. At age 10, she began modeling for teen magazines like Seventeen, appearing on the cover four times. She later said she modeled mainly to earn money and was not passionate about it.
Career Journey & Achievements
Phoebe’s acting career started in her late teens. Her first film was Paradise in 1982, where she played a lead role and even sang the theme song. That same year, she landed the part of Linda Barrett in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The film’s famous bikini scene became one of the most talked-about moments in 1980s cinema.
In 1984, she starred as Kate Beringer in Gremlins, a huge box-office success that grossed over $212 million worldwide. She reprised the role in Gremlins 2: The New Batch in 1990. Other notable films include Private School, Drop Dead Fred, and Princess Caraboo, her last major role in 1994. She also appeared in the TV miniseries Lace, where her line “Which one of you bitches is my mother?” became legendary.
Phoebe tried theater too, making her Broadway debut in The Tenth Man in 1989. She left acting after Princess Caraboo to focus on motherhood, returning only once in 2001 for The Anniversary Party as a favor to a friend.
Personal Life & Relationships
Phoebe met actor Kevin Kline in 1983 during auditions for The Big Chill. They married on March 5, 1989, in a private ceremony. The couple has two children: Owen, who has acted and directed, and Greta, who leads the band Frankie Cosmos. They raised their family in Manhattan and own a farm in upstate New York.
Phoebe has always valued privacy. After leaving Hollywood, she concentrated on home life and avoided the public eye. Her family remains close, and both children have pursued creative careers.
Net Worth & Financial Overview
Phoebe Cates’ net worth is estimated at $35 million, a combined figure with her husband, Kevin Kline. This estimate comes from sites that analyze public records, property ownership, and past earnings.
Her wealth started with modeling in her youth and grew through acting in hit films. Gremlins was her biggest box-office earner, and roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and others brought solid paychecks during the 1980s. She also earned from soundtrack work and TV projects.
Since retiring from acting, Phoebe has run Blue Tree, a boutique she opened in 2005 on Madison Avenue in New York City. The shop sells high-end clothing, jewelry, and home goods, reflecting her personal taste. The couple owns valuable real estate, including a Manhattan apartment and a farm in Garrison, New York, purchased in 1988.
These figures are estimates based on available data. Actual net worth can vary due to private investments or expenses.
Notable Facts & Trivia
Phoebe was on the cover of Seventeen magazine four times as a teen.
She recorded an album for Paradise and sang songs for other films.
Her Gremlins character, Kate Beringer, shared a famous Christmas story monologue about her father.
She turned down a role in Father of the Bride due to pregnancy.
Blue Tree is described as her “general store but according to me,” filled with unique finds.
Impact & Legacy
Phoebe Cates left a lasting mark on 1980s pop culture. Her roles captured the spirit of teen life and family adventure in a way that still resonates. Many fans remember her with fondness, and her decision to step away from fame to raise her children shows a different kind of strength. Through Blue Tree, she continues to share her sense of style with New Yorkers. Her story reminds us that success can mean choosing family and personal happiness over a constant spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Her estimated net worth is $35 million, shared with her husband, Kevin Kline, from acting, modeling, and her boutique business.
She gained fame with her role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982 and followed it with Gremlins in 1984.
Her standout performances in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins, plus her successful shift to owning Blue Tree boutique.
She lives in New York City, runs her boutique Blue Tree, and enjoys a private life with her family.
Yes, she retired in 1994 after Princess Caraboo to focus on raising her children, with one brief return in 2001.
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