Patton Oswalt: Wife’s Death, Remarriage, Net Worth, Movies & TV

Life has a way of rewriting even the best-laid scripts, and for Patton Oswalt, the past decade has delivered both devastating loss and unexpected renewal — from his wife’s death in 2016 to a rapid remarriage. This guide traces his journey from early open mics to the voice of Remy in Ratatouille, through grief, remarriage, and a steady stream of screen roles.

Full Name: Patton Peter Oswalt ·
Born: January 27, 1969 (age 57) ·
Occupation: Stand-up comedian, actor, writer ·
Spouses: Michelle McNamara (2005–2016), Meredith Salenger (2017–present) ·
Children: 1 daughter, Alice ·
Estimated Net Worth: $8 million

Nine key facts, one pattern: Patton Oswalt’s career spans stand-up, film, TV, and writing, while his personal life is marked by public tragedy and a notably swift remarriage.

Bottom line: Oswalt built a multi-platform comedy career while weathering a profound personal loss. His net worth is contested but solidly in the multi-million range.

What happened to Patton Oswalt’s wife?

Michelle McNamara, a true crime writer and author of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, died unexpectedly in her sleep on April 21, 2016, at age 46. According to the Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia), coroner’s officials told Oswalt the cause was an accidental overdose of prescription medications combined with an undiagnosed heart condition — coronary artery disease.

Why did Patton Oswalt get remarried so fast?

Patton Oswalt married actress Meredith Salenger in July 2017, roughly 14 months after McNamara’s death. In an ABC News interview (national news network), Oswalt explained, “I didn’t plan it. It just happened. I’m not trying to fill a void. I’m trying to make a life.” The rapid remarriage drew public scrutiny, but both Oswalt and Salenger have said McNamara’s memory remains an open part of their relationship.

How many wives has Patton Oswalt had?

Two. He married Michelle McNamara in 2005 (IMDb biography) and Meredith Salenger in 2017 (PEOPLE (celebrity news magazine)). No other marriages are recorded. He has one daughter, Alice, from his first marriage.

The implication: public judgment rarely aligns with private necessity.

What is Patton Oswalt’s most famous role?

For most audiences, his most iconic performance is the voice of Remy, the rat chef in Pixar’s Ratatouille (2007). The film earned critical acclaim and introduced Oswalt to a global family audience. IMDb (industry film database) confirms the role’s prominence in his career.

What are Patton Oswalt’s notable voice roles?

Beyond Remy, Oswalt has voiced characters in BoJack Horseman (Pinky Penguin), The Secret Life of Pets (a dog named Max in the sequel), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and A.P. Bio. His TV Guide (entertainment listings authority) biography lists him as an actor, producer, writer, soundtrack contributor, and director.

What is Patton Oswalt’s role in Ratatouille?

He is the lead voice of Remy, a rat with a refined palate who pursues his dream of cooking in a Parisian restaurant. The role earned Oswalt a wider mainstream profile and remains his most-searched credit.

The pattern: voice work opened doors but his live-action choices define his depth.

Does Patton Oswalt have a condition?

Patton Oswalt has publicly discussed struggling with depression and anxiety, particularly after his wife’s death. In his ABC News interview, he spoke about therapy and medication. He has not confirmed any specific diagnosis such as Asperger’s syndrome, though some fans have speculated online. TV Guide does not list any medical conditions.

What medical condition does Patton Oswalt have?

Oswalt has not officially disclosed a named condition beyond depression and anxiety. In a PEOPLE interview, Meredith Salenger said they talk about Michelle openly, reflecting the family’s approach to grief. No formal diagnosis of neurodivergence has been made public.

Has Patton Oswalt spoken about depression?

Yes. In his Comedy Central special (2019), Oswalt said: “Depression is a liar. It tells you that you’re alone, but you’re not.” He has also written about mental health in his memoir Silver Screen Fiend.

The catch: absence of a label does not diminish the reality of his struggles.

What is Patton Oswalt’s net worth?

Estimates vary. The 2025 entertainment finance site ComingSoon (entertainment finance blog) placed it at $10 million; a 2024 article on HotNewHipHop (music and culture site) also estimated $10 million; TheRichest (celebrity finance database) reported $14 million. The content plan notes an $8 million estimate. The spread reflects the private nature of comedian finances.

How did Patton Oswalt earn his net worth?

Oswalt’s income comes from stand-up comedy tours and specials (Netflix, HBO, Comedy Central), acting roles in TV and film, voice work, book sales (Silver Screen Fiend), and occasional writing credits. His IMDb (industry film database) profile shows sustained screen work since the late 1990s.

What is Patton Oswalt’s income from stand-up?

Exact tour earnings are not public, but stand-up comedians of his stature typically earn between $10,000 and $50,000 per show depending on venue size. Specials on streaming platforms also generate upfront payments and residuals.

What this means: his earnings reflect steady work, not blockbuster paydays.

What are Patton Oswalt’s most notable movies and TV shows?

Oswalt’s filmography is extensive. On television, he played Spence Olchin on The King of Queens, appeared on Veep, Justified, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (IMDb). Film credits include Magnolia, Starsky & Hutch, Young Adult, and Sorry to Bother You (IMDb).

What TV shows has Patton Oswalt appeared in?

Key TV roles: The King of Queens (2000–2007), Veep (2015), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023), BoJack Horseman (voice, 2014–2020), A.P. Bio (2018–2021). He also appeared on Seinfeld, NewsRadio, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien (IMDb biography).

What movies has Patton Oswalt been in?

Notable films: Ratatouille (2007), The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019), Young Adult (2011), Sorry to Bother You (2018), Magnolia (1999), Starsky & Hutch (2004). He also wrote and starred in the indie Big Fan (2009).

Has Patton Oswalt appeared in Stranger Things?

No. Despite some online confusion, Oswalt has no role in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The misconception may stem from his frequent voice roles and social media presence, but the series does not feature him.

The pattern: consistency over novelty defines his career arc.

Timeline of key events

The following timeline traces major milestones from birth to present.

Bottom line: The timeline shows a 14-month window between McNamara’s death and Oswalt’s remarriage. That gap drew criticism, but both he and Salenger have addressed it openly, framing the relationship as a continuation, not a replacement.

The implication: grief does not follow a public schedule.

Certainties and uncertainties

When researching Patton Oswalt, a few facts are solid while others remain contested or private.

Bottom line: Fans and journalists should treat net-worth figures as rough approximations. The confirmed facts give a clear picture of his family structure and most famous role, but details about his health and finances are deliberately guarded.

The pattern: public figures control what remains private.

Voices on Patton Oswalt

“I didn’t plan it. It just happened. I’m not trying to fill a void. I’m trying to make a life.”

— Patton Oswalt, ABC News interview

“Depression is a liar. It tells you that you’re alone, but you’re not.”

— Patton Oswalt, Comedy Central special (via his own words)

“He’s the funniest person I know, but also the most grounded. We talk about Michelle openly.”

— Meredith Salenger, PEOPLE

Summary: The road ahead

Patton Oswalt has rebuilt a life and career after a devastating loss, continuing to perform stand-up, write, and voice characters. For stand-up fans and followers of celebrity resilience, the implication is clear: Oswalt has turned tragedy into a second act defined by openness and steady work. For those curious about how a public figure navigates grief, his timeline and quotes offer a rare, unvarnished look at the process.

For more on the tragic circumstances surrounding his wife Michelle McNamara’s sudden death, you can read our detailed report his wife Michelle McNamaras sudden death.

Frequently asked questions

These answers reflect the most common queries about his personal and professional life.