Jennifer Tilly is a rare mix of Hollywood glamor and poker table grit. With an Academy Award nomination, a cult following from her iconic roles, and a serious reputation in the world of professional poker, Tilly has crafted a unique career path. As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at $25 million, with a significant portion still coming from her long-standing acting career—though her poker achievements are nothing short of impressive.
Born Jennifer Ellen Chan on September 16, 1958, in Harbor City, Los Angeles, Tilly is now 66 years old. After her parents’ divorce when she was five, Jennifer moved with her mother and siblings to British Columbia, Canada. Her mother was a schoolteacher and former stage actress, which likely influenced both Jennifer and her younger sister, Meg Tilly, to pursue acting. Meg would go on to earn her own accolades, including an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win.
Early Career in Hollywood
Jennifer started making waves in the entertainment industry in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She quickly built a reputation for her distinctive voice and quirky on-screen persona. Her big breakthrough came in 1994 with Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway, where she earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Although she lost to co-star Dianne Wiest, Tilly’s performance solidified her place in Hollywood.
She followed this with notable roles in Liar Liar opposite Jim Carrey, Bound—a cult classic—and her unforgettable turn as Tiffany Valentine in the Child’s Play franchise, beginning with Bride of Chucky in 1998. Her horror movie persona gained massive cult status, especially among fans of the genre.
In addition to film, Tilly has been a long-time voice actor on Family Guy, where she voices Bonnie Swanson. Her distinctive voice has also appeared in films like Monsters, Inc., Stuart Little, and Hey Arnold!. These projects, along with occasional theater performances—such as her role in Broadway’s Don’t Dress For Dinner—continue to generate steady royalties.
Poker Career: A Second Act With High Stakes
Jennifer Tilly’s poker career took off in the early 2000s. Inspired by her late father’s passion for the game and the challenge of beating a poker video game he once gifted her, she pursued poker seriously. A boyfriend taught her the basics, but it was her drive to win a real World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet that truly launched her into the professional circuit.
Tilly’s breakout moment came in 2005 at the 36th WSOP in Las Vegas, where she took first place in the $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em event. She walked away with $158,335 and her first WSOP bracelet—becoming the first celebrity to win such an honor. Critics questioned her abilities, but she quickly silenced them by winning the World Poker Tour (WPT) Ladies Night Invitational just months later.
Her poker accomplishments didn’t end there. Jennifer has cashed in multiple high-stakes tournaments:
- Bellagio Cup VI (2010): $124,455
- PartyPoker Premier League VI (2013): $98,000
- L.A. Poker Classic (2008): $61,610
- Borgata Poker Open (2006): $52,380
- Bahamas PokerStars Championship (2017): 2nd place in the $5,000 NL Turbo 6-Handed event
As of 2025, her total live poker earnings exceed $1 million. Tilly remains a formidable figure at major tournaments and is especially active in the competitive Los Angeles poker scene.
Personal Life and Relationships
Jennifer was previously married to The Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon, though the two divorced in 1991. Since 2004, she’s been in a long-term relationship with professional poker player Phil Laak, also known as “The Unabomber” in the poker world. The two met at a World Poker Tour Invitational and have been inseparable ever since, frequently appearing together at tournaments.
Despite being 14 years her junior, Laak and Tilly share a dynamic partnership, with Phil helping Jennifer hone her poker skills. The couple remains unmarried but continues to be one of the most well-known duos in the poker community.
Continued Presence in Entertainment and Poker
While poker has become her main professional focus, Tilly never fully stepped away from acting. She continues to take selective roles in films and TV, often appearing in horror films or reprising her role as Tiffany in the Chucky franchise, which remains wildly popular among fans.
Her steady voice acting on Family Guy ensures consistent income, and her previous roles in major Hollywood projects continue to pay dividends. Combined with her poker winnings and endorsement deals within the poker industry, Tilly’s portfolio remains diverse and robust.
Final Thoughts: A Triple Threat Who Keeps Winning
Jennifer Tilly is not just an actress or a poker player—she’s a master at reinventing herself. From indie films and voiceover gigs to poker tables and Broadway stages, she’s worn many hats with ease. With a net worth of $25 million and a legacy in both entertainment and poker, Tilly continues to impress fans and skeptics alike.
At 66, she shows no signs of slowing down. Whether bluffing at the poker table or delivering iconic one-liners on screen, Jennifer Tilly is a rare talent who has found success in every act of her career.
