Patrick Labyorteaux holds an estimated net worth of $4 million, built through a career spanning more than five decades in television, film, voice acting, and television production. While many child actors struggle to sustain adult careers, he transitioned successfully from a recognizable face on classic 1970s family dramas into a dependable fixture of prime-time network television.
Understanding how his net worth accumulated requires looking beyond a single paycheck. His financial standing reflects steady residual streams from long-running syndication hits, strategic film character work, voice acting contracts, and behind-the-scenes creative ventures like television production.
Early Breakthroughs and Child Actor Earnings
Born in Los Angeles in 1965, Labyorteaux entered the entertainment industry at an early age. Child actors in the 1970s operated under different salary scales than today's young stars, but recurring television roles provided financial stability. His first major breakthrough came playing Andrew "Andy" Garvey on NBC's Little House on the Prairie between 1977 and 1981.
Appearing across dozens of episodes during the height of the show's popularity established him professionally. Television work during this era meant standard network guest star and recurring contract rates, which laid the foundation for his early financial independence. During the same period, he and his adoptive brother, fellow actor Matthew Labyorteaux, built steady resumes through commercials and guest spots on shows like Starsky & Hutch and The Love Boat.
The Syndication Engine: JAG and NCIS
The most substantial driver of Labyorteaux's long-term wealth is his decade-long tenure on the CBS legal drama JAG. From 1995 to 2005, he portrayed Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts Jr., appearing in more than 200 episodes.
Long-running network television series generate wealth through several distinct channels:
- Per-Episode Salaries: As a main cast member over multiple seasons, standard television contracts scale upward with each option year, securing high baseline earnings.
- Syndication Residuals: Shows that run in daily syndication on cable networks and streaming platforms continue to pay quarterly or annual residuals to main cast members long after production wraps.
- Cross-Over Appearances: Reprising the Bud Roberts role on network stablemate NCIS extended his character's footprint and kept his earning potential active across related franchises.
Film Work, Cult Classics, and Voice Acting
Outside of television serials, Labyorteaux diversified his income through feature films and voice performance. In 1987, he appeared as football player Kevin Winchester in the comedy Summer School starring Mark Harmon—a project that predated their shared time in the NCIS universe. A year later, he played Ram Sweeney in the dark cult classic Heathers (1988), a film that maintains ongoing commercial life through home video, streaming rights, and merchandise.
His voice acting portfolio further insulated his income against dry spells in live-action casting. He lent his voice to animated series including Spider-Man: The Animated Series (voicing Flash Thompson) and Godzilla: The Series. Voice contracts typically offer session fees coupled with residual structures for network broadcasts, providing a consistent professional sideline.
Expanding Into Production and Writing
Moving behind the camera represented another financial pivot. Labyorteaux expanded his industry footprint by creating and executive producing television content. Alongside his wife, television producer Tara Albanese, he co-created the Nick at Nite comedy series See Dad Run, which starred Scott Baio and ran for three seasons.
Transitioning into creator and producer roles shifts an artist from a hired hand earning a wage to an equity stakeholder. Executive producers share in backend profits, syndication sales, and international distribution rights, which significantly amplifies long-term net worth compared to acting alone.
Financial Management and Real Estate
Like many established Hollywood veterans, Labyorteaux maintains a low-profile financial footprint. Industry professionals with steady, decades-long careers typically preserve wealth through conservative portfolio management and Southern California real estate holdings. Property investments in the Los Angeles area acquired during peak earning years on JAG have appreciated substantially, forming a secure anchor for his net worth alongside liquid capital from residuals and production ventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Patrick Labyorteaux's primary source of wealth?
His wealth stems primarily from his long-term television acting roles—most notably JAG and Little House on the Prairie—which yield steady syndication residuals, alongside income from film work and television production.
Is Patrick Labyorteaux related to Matthew Labyorteaux?
Yes, they are adoptive brothers. Both were adopted by talent agent Ronald Labyorteaux and actress Frances Marshall, and both worked extensively as child actors, occasionally appearing within the same television eras.
How long did Patrick Labyorteaux play Bud Roberts on JAG?
He portrayed Bud Roberts Jr. for the entirety of the show's run from 1995 to 2005, appearing in over 200 episodes and later bringing the character over to NCIS.
Did Patrick Labyorteaux work behind the scenes in television?
Yes. He co-created and executive-produced the live-action family comedy series See Dad Run, expanding his professional output into writing and production.
