Rider Strong, who starred as Shawn Hunter on the hit 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World, has had a varied career in Hollywood. He has worked as an actor, director, writer, and producer. As of 2024, Rider Strong is estimated to have a net worth of around $3 million. While much of this wealth comes from his early acting years, he has spread his career out to ensure steady earnings outside of his iconic role.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Rider Strong was born on December 11, 1979, in San Francisco, California. He started acting early, appearing in TV shows and commercials. But it was his role as the troubled but endearing Shawn Hunter in Boy Meets World that put him in the spotlight. Debuting in 1993, the show was a huge hit for seven seasons. A central plot point was Shawn Hunter’s friendship with Cory Matthews (Ben Savage), and Strong was praised for his performance.
In the 1990s, Boy Meets World became a cultural phenomenon, and Strong made a good chunk of his net worth from the show. Being among the core cast of the show, he made steady income from his role and later from residuals as the show remained syndicated and streamed on multiple platforms.
Major Sources of Income
Acting Career: Boy Meets World remains Strong’s signature sitcom, but the actor has a diverse acting resume. Following the end of the show in 2000, Strong starred in several films and TV shows, including Cabin Fever (2002) and Kim Possible (2002-2007), where he played the role of Brick Flagg. While these roles didn’t reach the same level of fame as Boy Meets World, they kept him active in Hollywood.
In 2014, Strong reprised his role as Shawn Hunter in Girl Meets World, the sequel to Boy Meets World. Though he appeared occasionally, his return revived interest in his character and brought him back in contact with new fans. His appearance in Girl Meets World also contributed to his wealth.
Writing and Directing: Beyond acting, Rider Strong has written and directed. With his brother, Shiloh Strong, he co-wrote and directed short films, including Irish Twins (2008), which earned acclaim at film festivals. The two brothers also directed episodes of Girl Meets World, helping Strong build a career behind the scenes and earning him acclaim as an accomplished creative.
Writing and directing may not have garnered as much attention as his acting work, but it has helped in his career development.
Podcasting and Other Ventures: More recently, Strong has started podcasting. He co-hosts the podcast Literary Disco with his friends, where they talk about books and literature. While the project was not a huge moneymaker, it shows that Strong’s intellectual interests and creative passions go beyond typical Hollywood work.
By combining projects like podcasting, writing, and directing, Strong has made a comfortable living doing what he loves.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Rider Strong has maintained a low profile compared to some of his colleagues in the industry. He got married to actress Alexandra Barreto in 2013, and they have a child together.
In addition to his professional life, Strong is an activist. He supports social justice and environmental causes.
