What is Denise Crosby's Net Worth?
Denise Crosby is an American actress who has a net worth of $4 million. Denise Crosby made an indelible mark on science fiction television as Lieutenant Tasha Yar in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," though her decision to leave the series during its first season became one of television's most talked-about departures. Beyond her Star Trek role, Crosby has built a diverse career spanning television, film, and theater, while also embracing her connection to Hollywood history as the granddaughter of legendary crooner Bing Crosby. Her willingness to engage with science fiction fandom and her pioneering documentary "Trekkies" demonstrated her appreciation for the genre's cultural impact, even as she pursued a wide range of acting opportunities throughout her career.
Early Life
Denise Crosby was born November 24, 1957 in Hollywood, California. She is the paternal granddaughter of entertainer Bing Crosby and the illegitimate daughter of Marilyn Scott and actor Dennis Crosby. Since she was born out of wedlock, her mother pursued a sensational, three-year-long lawsuit against her father, at the conclusion of which he was ordered to pay child support and legal fees. This deeply embarrassed Dennis Crosby and his famous father, actor and singer Bing Crosby.
Bing Crosby died when Denise was only 19. The two reportedly never met. When the story of her illegitimacy surfaced during a drama class, Denise left the class out of humiliation and not long afterward posed nude for Playboy magazine (1979) in an effort she called "…some kind of rebellion on my part, some way of saying screw you to the family image."
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Career Beginnings
he began her professional acting career in the late 1970s, appearing in various television shows and B-movies. Her early roles included appearances on shows like "Days of Our Lives" and films such as "48 Hrs." and "Pet Sematary."
Star Trek
Crosby's casting as Security Chief Tasha Yar in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) represented a significant breakthrough. The character was groundbreaking for its time – a female security chief who was tough, capable, and not defined by her relationships with male characters. However, feeling that her character wasn't being fully developed, Crosby made the bold decision to leave the show during its first season. Her character's dramatic death in the episode "Skin of Evil" became a memorable moment in Trek history, and she later returned for guest appearances in alternate timeline stories.
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Post-Star Trek Career
After leaving "Star Trek," Crosby maintained a steady acting career while also embracing her science fiction legacy. She produced and hosted "Trekkies" (1997) and its sequel, documentaries that sympathetically explored Star Trek fan culture. Her other notable roles included appearances on shows like "The Walking Dead," "Ray Donovan," and "Suits," demonstrating her versatility as an actress. She also continued to work in independent films and theater productions, showing her commitment to diverse, challenging roles.
Legacy and Recent Work
Crosby's influence extends beyond her brief tenure on "Star Trek." Her decision to leave a hit show to pursue artistic fulfillment became a model for other actors, while her embrace of science fiction fandom helped legitimize fan culture in the mainstream media. In recent years, she has continued to work steadily in television and film while making regular appearances at science fiction conventions, where she engages with fans and reflects on her unique place in television history.
Personal Life
Throughout her career, Crosby has maintained a relatively private personal life. She was married to Geoffrey Edwards from 1983 to 1990, and later married Ken Sylk in 1995. She has one son, August William Sylk.
Pacific Palisades House
In 2018, Denise paid $3.155 million for a home in LA's Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Tragically, this home was completely destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire. Before the fire, her home was worth around $4 million.
