What is Ed Robertson's net worth?
Ed Robertson is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and musician who has a net worth of $10 million. Ed Robertson is a Canadian musician, singer-songwriter, and television host best known as the co-founder and longtime frontman of the band Barenaked Ladies. With his signature wit, freestyle rapping, and melodic songwriting, Robertson helped turn the group from a quirky Canadian duo into an internationally beloved alternative rock act. Known for hits like "One Week," "If I Had $1,000,000," and "Brian Wilson," Barenaked Ladies became a defining band of the 1990s and early 2000s. While the group's tone often leaned humorous, Robertson's songwriting also reflected emotional depth and vulnerability.
Ed also wrote the theme song for the TV series "The Big Bang Theory." In what may be a surprising twist, Ed has claimed in interviews that he has earned more money from writing that theme song than from his entire Barenaked Ladies career, including their multi-platinum albums and chart-topping singles.
Beyond music, Robertson has hosted television shows, piloted his own travel series, and remained an outspoken advocate for Canadian arts and culture.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Edward Clyde Robertson was born on October 25, 1970, in Scarborough, Ontario. He developed a passion for music at a young age, learning guitar and writing songs while growing up in a musically supportive household. He attended Woburn Collegiate Institute, where he met Steven Page. The two bonded over a shared love of bands like Rush and Peter Gabriel and began performing together in the late 1980s, originally under the tongue-in-cheek name Barenaked Ladies.
Formation and Rise of Barenaked Ladies
In 1988, Robertson and Page officially formed Barenaked Ladies. They gained a cult following in Toronto thanks to their energetic live shows, clever lyrics, and spontaneous onstage banter. Their 1991 indie release "The Yellow Tape" became the first independently released cassette to go platinum in Canada.
Their major-label debut, "Gordon," arrived in 1992 and featured enduring tracks like "Enid" and "Be My Yoko Ono." The band achieved international success with their 1998 album "Stunt," led by the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper "One Week." Robertson's blend of comedic flair and heartfelt songwriting became central to the band's identity, helping them sustain popularity through the early 2000s with albums like "Maroon" and "Everything to Everyone."
Post-Page Era and Continued Success
After Steven Page's departure in 2009, Robertson stepped into the role of sole frontman. The band released "All in Good Time" in 2010, a more introspective album that reflected the shift in the group's dynamic. Robertson wrote the bulk of the material and led the band into a new chapter that maintained their signature charm while embracing creative evolution.
Subsequent albums such as "Grinning Streak," "Silverball," and "Detour de Force" kept the band active and relevant, with Robertson guiding their continued output and performance schedule. The group has remained a staple of summer festivals and international tours, offering a mix of nostalgia and new material for fans across generations.
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Big Bang Theory Theme Song
One of the most financially impactful and culturally visible works of Robertson's career is the theme song to "The Big Bang Theory," the CBS sitcom that aired from 2007 to 2019. Robertson wrote and performed the high-energy theme, which became a key part of the show's identity and introduced Barenaked Ladies to a global audience all over again.
Though Robertson hasn't disclosed exact earnings, in a 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, he described the royalties as "not seven digits, and it's not 10 digits, but it's in between those somewhere. I don't want to be gauche and specific about it either, but it's been life-changing."
Between syndication on TBS, global streaming on Max, and years of daily reruns, "The Big Bang Theory" has aired for as many as seven hours per day, generating consistent performance royalties.
For perspective, in the same Rolling Stone interview, Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh claimed he earns $1 million per year in royalties from his song "Uncontrollable Urge," thanks to its usage as the theme for Rob Dyrdek's MTV show "Ridiculousness." One could argue that Ed's song is likely even more lucrative since Big Bang was a network television show, as opposed to cable.
"It's like having a number one hit multiple times a year, every year for the past decade," Robertson said. "It's the gift that keeps on giving."
He has stated that the theme has earned him more than the rest of the Barenaked Ladies' catalog combined, including platinum albums and their No. 1 single "One Week." He eventually sold a portion of the theme's rights, though details remain undisclosed. The income has allowed the band to operate creatively without commercial pressure, with Robertson calling it the reason Barenaked Ladies has remained "perpetually self-sustaining."
Other Projects and Television Work
Robertson has also ventured into television and aviation. He hosted the Canadian travel series "Ed's Up," which followed his adventures piloting a small plane across Canada. He's also appeared in guest roles on Canadian series like "Corner Gas" and has participated in numerous benefit concerts and arts initiatives across the country.
Personal Life
Robertson has been married to his high school sweetheart, Natalie, since 1994. The couple has three children and lives in Ontario. A licensed pilot, Robertson survived a 2008 plane crash near Bancroft, Ontario, emerging without injury. The incident marked a turning point in his personal and professional outlook.
Known for his humor, humility, and candor, Ed Robertson continues to lead Barenaked Ladies with a spirit of gratitude and curiosity. His contributions to music and pop culture—especially through "The Big Bang Theory"—have made him one of Canada's most enduring creative voices.