Net Worth, Awards and Influence: How Sarah Paulson Became One of Hollywood’s Most Celebrated Actresses

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Sarah Paulson, an American actress born on December 17, 1974, in Tampa, Florida, U.S., has a net worth of $12 million as of 2024. She is widely recognized for her versatile roles in both television and film.

Arriving in style, 49-year-old Sarah Paulson captivates at the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2024, in Paris, France, donning a stunning white and blue pinstripe gown complemented by a pink skirtArriving in style, 49-year-old Sarah Paulson captivates at the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2024, in Paris, France, donning a stunning white and blue pinstripe gown complemented by a pink skirt (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Paulson has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry through her performances in series such as “American Horror Story” since 2011, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” in 2016, and “Ratched” in 2020. Her filmography includes notable films like “What Women Want” (2000), “12 Years a Slave” (2013), “Carol” (2015), “Bird Box” (2018), and “Ocean’s 8″ (2018).

Besides her on-screen success, Paulson has also showcased her talent on Broadway in productions like “The Glass Menagerie” (2005) and “Collected Stories” (2010).

Sarah Paulson flaunts her legs in a sexy dress at the premiere of Non-StopSarah Paulson flaunts her legs in a sexy dress at the premiere of Non-Stop held at Regency Village Theatre on February 24, 2014,  in Westwood, California (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)

Paulson has received critical acclaim throughout her career, earning over 20 awards, including a Primetime Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Marcia Clark in “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

Her performance in “Ratched” led to the show becoming Netflix’s best original launch of 2020, with 48 million views in its first month. Her influence and contributions to the acting world were recognized in 2017 when she was named one of the world’s most influential people by “Time” magazine.

Cultural and Ethnic Background

Ethnically, Sarah Paulson is of mixed heritage, including English, one-eighth Danish, German, Scottish, French, and Welsh backgrounds. This diverse ancestry contributes to her unique identity and has possibly influenced her varied and rich portrayals on screen.

Long-Standing Friendships Within the Industry

According to a 2014 interview with Pedro Pascal published in Interview Magazine, Pascal shared, “I met you, Sarah Paulson, in September of 1993, my first month in New York City. I was really lucky because my first friend at NYU lived in Brooklyn, Kristen, and went to high school with you, so your guys’ posse kind of adopted me.”

Sarah Paulson met Pedro Pascal in September 1993 in New York CitySarah Paulson met Pedro Pascal in September 1993 in New York City (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Sarah herself conducted the interview. Meeting for the first time when they were teenagers, Paulson was the first person he met as a new student at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

On their first night together, they went to see the 1993 American drama Fearless with several other friends. The same day, they randomly ran into Woody Harrelson in a park.

A Modern Love Story: Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor Redefine Relationship Goals

Despite a 32-year age gap, Sarah has been dating Holland Virginia Taylor (born January 14, 1943), an American actress and playwright, since 2015.

‘If anyone wants to spend any time thinking I’m strange for loving the most spectacular person on the planet, then that’s their problem,’ Sarah told Modern Luxury in an interview. ‘I’m doing just fine.’

Sarah Paulson and her girlfriend Holland Taylor having been dating since early 2015Sarah Paulson and her girlfriend Holland Taylor attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Sheri Determan/WENN)

In an April 2015 interview with Pride Source, an online publication for recent and breaking news for the LGBT community, she refused to label her sexuality.

“All I can say is, I’ve done both, and I don’t let either experience define me,” Paulson told author Chris Azzopardi.

“I don’t let having been with a man make me think I am heterosexual or make me want to call myself that, because I know I have been attracted to women — and have lived with women. So, for me, I’m not looking to define myself, and I’m sorry if that is something that is seen as a rejection of or an unwillingness to embrace [my sexuality] in a public way, but it’s simply not. It’s simply what’s true for me, and that’s all I can speak to.”

Glamour and Elegance: Sarah Paulson Shines at the ‘Glass’ Premiere with Custom Prada Gown

Sarah Paulson started 2019 by looking stunning for the premiere of ‘Glass’ at the Curzon Mayfair in London, England.

Manoj Nelliyattu "M. Night" Shyamalan, Sarah Paulson, and James McAvoy attend the UK Premiere of "Glass"Manoj Nelliyattu “M. Night” Shyamalan, Sarah Paulson, and James McAvoy attend the UK Premiere of “Glass” at The Curzon Mayfair on January 9, 2019, in London, England (Credit: Lia Toby / WENN)

Her co-stars James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and director M. Night Shyamalan were also present.

Sarah Paulson donned a custom strapless Prada embellished gown for the premiere of Glass held at the Curzon Mayfair in London, England, on January 9, 2019Sarah Paulson donned a custom strapless Prada embellished gown for the premiere of Glass held at the Curzon Mayfair in London, England, on January 9, 2019 (Credit: Lia Toby / WENN)

The then-44-year-old actress donned a custom strapless Prada embellished gown styled with a green Edie Parker ‘Mini Lara’ clutch, Brian Atwood ‘Karin’ platform pumps, and Irene Neuwirth emerald and chrysoprase earrings.

Sarah Paulson's Irene Neuwirth emerald and chrysoprase earringsSarah Paulson’s Irene Neuwirth emerald and chrysoprase earrings (Credit: Lia Toby / WENN)