Jeffrey Wayne Richmond is the musical architect behind some of television’s most beloved comedies. Born on January 7, 1961, the composer has won three Emmy Awards for his work on 30 Rock. He’s married to comedy icon Tina Fey, creating one of Hollywood’s most successful creative partnerships.
Richmond stands at 5’2″. At 64 years old, he continues working on major Netflix projects and Broadway productions. His work spans television, film, and theater composition.
Quick Facts About Jeff Richmond
| Bio/Wiki | Details |
| Full Name | Jeffrey Wayne Richmond |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1961 |
| Age | 64 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5’2″ (1.57 m) |
| Birthplace | Portage County, Ohio, USA |
| Education | Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance (graduated 1985) |
| Profession | Composer, Producer, Director |
| Spouse | Tina Fey (married June 3, 2001) |
| Children | Alice Zenobia Richmond (born 2005)Penelope Athena Richmond (born 2011) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $3 million |
| Years Active | Mid-1990s – Present |
| Current Project | The Four Seasons (Netflix series) |
Jeff Richmond Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Jeff Richmond grew up in Portage County, Ohio. He graduated from James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville in 1979. That year, he won the John Philip Sousa Award for outstanding musicianship.
Before college, he helped create the Garrettsville Community Players. He directed and choreographed local theater productions. This early work showed his natural leadership in combining music with storytelling.
He attended Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance in the early 1980s. During his studies, he co-authored several musicals. He also created a musical score for Shakespeare’s Othello, graduating in 1985.
Meeting Tina Fey at The Second City
Richmond moved to Chicago in the mid-1990s to work with The Second City. He served as in-house pianist at Del Close’s ImprovOlympic Theater. This role placed him at the center of Chicago’s comedy scene.
Richmond watched performers audition from his piano bench. It was there he first saw Tina Fey and Amy Poehler perform. He recognized immediately that Fey had something special.
The two connected over their shared love of comedy and performance. They fell in love after spending an afternoon at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. After dating for seven years, Richmond proposed at Lake Michigan with champagne and got down on one knee, per People Magazine.
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Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock Success
Richmond became music director for Saturday Night Live before 2006. This position taught him the precise timing comedy requires. He learned how music supports jokes without competing with dialogue.
In 2006, he left SNL to work on 30 Rock, Fey’s new sitcom. He composed the jazz-infused theme song that became iconic. He also scored episodes, produced seasons, and directed five episodes.
Richmond won three consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series (2007, 2008, 2009). He occasionally appeared on camera as Alfonso Disparioso. His compositions gave the show its energetic, New York-centric sound.
Film Composition and Broadway Ambitions
Richmond composed the score for Baby Mama in 2008, starring Fey and Poehler. He also worked as composer and co-producer on Sisters (2015). These projects expanded his work beyond television.
His biggest theatrical achievement came with Mean Girls: The Musical. Richmond wrote the music for the Broadway adaptation, which opened on April 8, 2018. He earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score that year.
The musical required full-length theatrical songs instead of short television cues. It premiered on London’s West End in June 2024. When adapted for film in 2024, Richmond reworked the stage songs for cinema, including 11 original songs plus 2 new ones.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Recent Projects
Richmond executive produced and composed music for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix. He directed three episodes and produced 39 episodes from 2015 to 2019. The show reunited him with Fey and Robert Carlock.
He also worked on Girls5Eva as producer and composer. His daughter Penelope appeared in the show as a child influencer. The role came after pandemic restrictions prevented another actress from traveling.
Richmond currently serves as executive producer on The Four Seasons, a Netflix series starring Fey. The show explores long-term relationships and marriage. It’s inspired by Alan Alda’s 1981 film of the same name.
Jeff Richmond Height and Physical Appearance
Richmond’s height is listed as either 5’2″ (1.57 m) according to IMDb. Fey humorously describes her husband as “travel-size.” Alec Baldwin wrote in his memoir that Richmond has curly brown hair and large eyes.
Baldwin initially wondered about their pairing due to the height difference. After working together on 30 Rock, his perspective changed completely. He concluded Richmond is “as loose and outgoing as Tina is cautious and dry” (Today).
The physical difference never affected their relationship or collaboration. Their creative compatibility proved far more important. It’s a reminder that personality and talent matter more than appearances.
Marriage to Tina Fey and Family Life
As reported by NBC, Richmond and Fey married in a Greek Orthodox ceremony on June 3, 2001. They dated for seven years before their wedding. Fey told Women’s Health that Richmond’s maturity made their nine-year age difference beneficial.
The couple has two daughters: Alice Zenobia (born September 10, 2005) and Penelope Athena (born August 10, 2011). Alice coined the 30 Rock catchphrase “I want to go to there” as a toddler. Both daughters have appeared in their parents’ projects.
Richmond told Vanity Fair in 2008 that their marriage was “borderline boring — in a good way.” This stability has supported decades of creative work. They maintain separate professional spaces while supporting each other’s careers.
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Jeff Richmond Net Worth and Real Estate
Richmond’s net worth is estimated at approximately $3 million, reports Celebrity NetWorth. This figure reflects his work as a composer and producer. His earnings are separate from Fey’s higher income from acting and writing.
The couple’s real estate investments show their combined financial success. In 2004, they purchased an Upper West Side condo for $1.9 million and sold it in 2010 for $2.15 million. In 2016, they bought a four-bedroom apartment on West End Avenue for $9.51 million.
The 2016 purchase sits directly above their existing residence. This allows them to combine spaces or prevent noise issues. Their total known real estate transactions exceed $13 million.
Awards and Professional Recognition
Richmond has received recognition across multiple entertainment fields. He won three consecutive Emmy Awards for 30 Rock between 2007 and 2009. He also received an ASCAP Award for Most Performed Themes and Underscore in 2013.
The Producers Guild of America honored him with the PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy. He received the Child’s Play Touring Theatre 2012 Victor Award. Kent State University granted him an honorary doctorate in 2013.
His Tony nomination for Mean Girls represented the highest theatrical recognition. He received two Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for directing Second City revues. These honors span theater, television, and music composition.
Creative Partnership and Working Relationship
Richmond and Fey maintain separate creative spaces while collaborating. The Hollywood Reporter quoted Richmond explaining they occupy different creative spaces during projects. Fey writes scripts while Richmond composes music in another room.
This approach keeps their work enjoyable and their marriage strong. They respect each other’s expertise without interfering. Fey handles writing and acting while Richmond focuses on music and production.
Professional boundaries have allowed both to thrive individually. It prevents the conflicts that often destroy creative partnerships. Their 24-year marriage demonstrates that respectful collaboration works.
Legacy and Impact on Television Comedy
Richmond’s musical signatures define modern television comedy. The 30 Rock theme song remains instantly recognizable. His work on the show included 10 scores plus standalone musical numbers.
His improvisational theater background trained him to respond instantly to performers. Comedy scoring requires supporting jokes without overwhelming dialogue. Richmond mastered this balance between memorable music and comedic timing.
His compositions for Mean Girls continue to reach new audiences. His work transforms good comedy into memorable entertainment. While less visible than on-camera talent, his contributions shaped how audiences experience comedy.
Parenting and Family Dynamics
Richmond and Fey raised their daughters in New York City. Alice showed creative abilities early, creating short films as a teenager. During the 2020 pandemic, she organized themed family dinners and Zoom talent shows.
Penelope auditioned for Girls5Eva during COVID-19 restrictions. Fey told the Today show she couldn’t let her daughter get the first role she auditioned for. When pandemic travel restrictions changed casting, Penelope earned the role on merit.
Both parents work to keep their daughters grounded despite their fame. Fey told PEOPLE in 2023 that they’re never cool to their kids. The family watches SNL together, giving their daughters a strong comedy education.
Conclusion
Jeff Richmond has built a career as composer, producer, and director across multiple platforms. His three Emmy Awards, Tony nomination, and decades of success demonstrate his talent. His marriage to Fey represents both personal happiness and professional collaboration.
At 64, Richmond continues working on major projects like The Four Seasons. His influence on television comedy music extends beyond his immediate work. Future composers will study how he balanced musical artistry with comedic timing.
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FAQ’s About Jeff Richmond
How tall is Jeff Richmond?
Richmond is 5’2″ tall.
What is Jeff Richmond’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is approximately $3 million as of recent reports.
How did Jeff Richmond meet Tina Fey?
They met in the mid-1990s at The Second City in Chicago, where he was music director.
How many children do Jeff Richmond and Tina Fey have?
They have two daughters: Alice (born 2005) and Penelope (born 2011).
Did Jeff Richmond compose the 30 Rock theme song?
Yes, he composed the iconic theme song and received an Emmy nomination for it.
What is Jeff Richmond’s age?
Richmond was born on January 7, 1961, making him 64 years old in 2025.
Has Jeff Richmond won any Tony Awards?
He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score for Mean Girls in 2018 but did not win.
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