TV funnyman Rove McManus has traded “saying hi to your mum” for multimillion-dollar deals, quietly building a property empire worth an estimated $35 million.
The 52-year-old entertainer has stepped back from the nightly spotlight but hasn’t stopped making power moves behind the scenes.
From massive real estate flips to a return to his roots in Western Australia, McManus and his wife, actress Tasma Walton, have amassed a portfolio as impressive as his TV career.
The pair, who live in Perth with their daughter Ruby, 12, have long been savvy players in the market.
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Rove McManus and his wife Tasma Walton have amassed an impressive real estate portfolio. Picture: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
In 2024, the comedian sold his four-bedroom Coogee home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs for $7.29 million.
McManus bought the home in March 2021 for $3.76 million. He renovated the property a year later for $340,839.
The showbiz couple sold their Bronte clifftop home in 2021 for a cool $14 million.
The pair completed a two-year, $4 million renovation of the bungalow they purchased for $6.4 million in 2016 before selling in an off-market deal.
In November 2020, McManus and Walton spent $2 million on a five-bedroom home in City Beach, Perth.
The 1000sq m property was previously owned by businessman Tony Sage, the owner of A-League side Perth Glory.
In 2024, the comedian sold his four-bedroom Coogee home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs for $7.29 million.
Pre-renovation pictures of the couple’s former Bronte home, which sold for $14 million.
The couple previously cashed out of an Avalon Beach retreat for close to $3 million in 2017.
They had lived at the property adjoining Bangalley Head for about five years before deciding to sell.
In 2011, McManus sold his Melbourne mansion he shared with first wife, the late Belinda Emmett, for $3.4 million in a private auction.
The former talk show host purchased the five-bedroom Richmond property in 2003 for $1.9 million.
McManus and Emmett married in 2005 after first meeting six years earlier. The Home and Away star died less than two years after the wedding when the cancer spread to her bones.
McManus has spoken candidly in the past about the effect Emmett’s death had on him as he struggled to navigate the deep personal loss and grief from the public.
In previous interviews McManus has described how he “routinely shut down” when asked about Emmett following her death and guests on his shows would be warned not to bring her up.
Belinda Emmett and Rove McManus at the Logies.
“At the time, it was difficult because you’re trying to juggle what you’re dealing with in life with what you’re dealing with at work. And again, having to do promotion is part of the job as people want to know what you’re doing,” he said on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show podcast in 2023.
”But then people want to know what’s happening at home. It’s none of your business what’s happening at home.
“I found it very tricky to navigate without getting mad at people for prying.
“I’m not here to talk about what’s happening at home. If you want to know, you need to be a friend of mine. But if you’re a stranger on the street, you’ll get, ‘fine, it’s good.”’
Following Emmett’s death in 2006, the Melbourne property served as a base for Rove and his second wife, Walton, before they moved to the US.
The couple shelled out $1.2 million for a Hollywood Hills pad in 2010. While the pair returned to Australia in 2015, reports indicated they still own the US residence.
In November 2020, McManus and Walton spent $2 million on a five-bedroom home in City Beach, Perth.
In 2011, McManus sold his Melbourne mansion for $3.4 million in a private auction.
The media personality has consistently been one of Australia’s highest-paid stars. Picture: NewsWire / Christian Gilles
While official figures are kept under wraps, unconfirmed reports indicate McManus’ net worth is between $25 million and $35 million.
The media personality has consistently been one of Australia’s highest-paid stars, often commanding seven-figure sums.
In 2015, McManus signed with Southern Cross Austereo for the 2Day FM breakfast show, taking home an eye-watering $3.7m a year.
The entertainer was earning 14 times more than his co-host Sam Frost, who was receiving $250,000.
At the height of Rove Live on Network Ten, reports estimated his salary was about $3m per year.
McManus’ most recent business dealings tend to see him behind the camera rather than in front of it. His company, Roving Enterprises, produced hugely successful nightly news show The Project before its eventual axing last year after a 16-year run.
McManus is currently touring Australia with his new show, Tonight’s Guest: Rove McManus.
The show features stand-up and a Q&A where the audience gets to interview him about his 25 years in show business.
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