Introduction
Patton Oswalt’s wife is Meredith Dawn Salenger, an American actress and voice artist born on March 14, 1970, in Malibu, California. Patton Oswalt is a well-known American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, celebrated for his sharp observational humor and roles in film and television. Many fans searching “Patton Oswalt wife” want to know more about the woman who has shared his life since 2017. This article covers everything about Meredith Salenger — her background, career, how she and Patton met, their wedding, and their life together as a family today.
Who Is Meredith Salenger?
Meredith Dawn Salenger was born on March 14, 1970, in Malibu, California, making her an American by nationality. She is the only child of Dorothy Salenger, an interior designer, and Gary Salenger, a dentist. Her family has Jewish roots tracing back to Austria and Russia.
Salenger grew up in Malibu and attended Santa Monica High School. She began acting professionally at a young age, appearing in commercials and television before landing her breakout film role as a child. After building an early career in Hollywood, she pursued higher education at Harvard University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1992. She later studied at Pepperdine University School of Law, earning certificates in family law mediation.
This mix of acting talent and academic achievement has shaped Salenger into a multifaceted public figure — someone known not just as Patton Oswalt’s wife, but as an accomplished actress, voice artist, and family law mediator in her own right.
Meredith Salenger’s Career & Professional Life
Meredith Salenger has worked in entertainment since she was a child. She is best known for playing the title role in the 1985 adventure film The Journey of Natty Gann, and she later starred in the 1989 teen comedy Dream a Little Dream. Her television credits include appearances on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson’s Creek.
In more recent years, Salenger has built a strong career as a voice actress, lending her voice to animated projects including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Tales of the Empire, and The Secret Life of Pets 2.
Outside of acting, Salenger has used her psychology background and legal training to work as a mediator specializing in family law matters, a career path that runs alongside her entertainment work. Some entertainment outlets have estimated her net worth at around $1.5 million, though this figure is not officially confirmed and should be treated as an approximation rather than a verified number.
How Did Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger Meet?
Patton Oswalt’s first wife, true-crime writer Michelle McNamara, passed away unexpectedly in April 2016. Oswalt has spoken openly about grieving her loss while raising their young daughter, Alice, as a single parent.
Oswalt and Salenger were introduced through a mutual friend, actress Martha Plimpton. According to accounts of their story, the two began talking online in early 2017 before meeting in person for the first time in May 2017. Their connection developed quickly, built around a shared sense of humor and a love of film.
The relationship moved fast: the couple made their public debut together at the premiere of Baby Driver in the summer of 2017, and by July 2017, they announced their engagement. For Oswalt, finding love again after such a painful loss was a significant and emotional turning point, one he has discussed candidly in interviews and in his stand-up work.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger got married on November 4, 2017, at Jim Henson Studios in Los Angeles. Fittingly, the ceremony was officiated by their mutual friend Martha Plimpton, the same person who had introduced them earlier that year.
One of the most memorable moments of the day, according to Oswalt, came when his young daughter Alice walked down the aisle as the flower girl and gave him a spontaneous hug at the altar. Oswalt has described that moment as deeply emotional, saying it made him feel that things were finally going to be okay again after losing McNamara. The wedding blended joy with the family’s journey through grief, marking a new chapter for Oswalt and his daughter.
Children & Family Life
Patton Oswalt has one daughter, Alice, from his first marriage to Michelle McNamara. Since marrying Oswalt in 2017, Meredith Salenger has taken on the role of stepmother to Alice and has been described as warmly supportive of her stepdaughter.
Salenger has also spoken publicly about honoring Michelle McNamara’s memory rather than replacing it, and she has been supportive of keeping McNamara’s legacy present in Alice’s life. As a blended family, Oswalt, Salenger, and Alice largely keep their day-to-day life private, with Oswalt occasionally sharing family moments through his comedy and social media while still protecting his daughter’s privacy as she grows up.
Meredith Salenger on Social Media
Meredith Salenger maintains an active presence on social media, including Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where she shares updates about her acting and voice work, causes she supports, and glimpses of her life with Oswalt. She has been known to speak up in support of social causes she cares about and is often publicly supportive of her husband’s career and comedy.
Her online presence tends to focus on advocacy, entertainment news, and family-friendly updates rather than heavily curated celebrity content, giving fans an authentic look at her personality.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Meredith Dawn Salenger |
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1970 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, voice artist, family law mediator |
| Married to | Patton Oswalt |
| Marriage Year | 2017 |
| Children | Stepmother to Alice Oswalt |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $1.5 million (unconfirmed) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Patton Oswalt’s wife’s name?
A: Patton Oswalt’s wife is Meredith Salenger, an American actress and voice artist. The couple married in November 2017.
Q: How old is Meredith Salenger?
A: Meredith Salenger was born on March 14, 1970, in Malibu, California. That makes her in her mid-fifties as of 2026.
Q: What does Meredith Salenger do for a living?
A: Salenger is an actress and voice artist known for The Journey of Natty Gann and animated shows like Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She also works as a family law mediator.
Q: When did Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger get married?
A: They got married on November 4, 2017, at Jim Henson Studios in Los Angeles, in a ceremony officiated by Martha Plimpton.
Q: How many kids do Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger have?
A: They do not have children together. Oswalt has one daughter, Alice, from his first marriage, and Salenger is her stepmother.
Conclusion
Meredith Salenger is far more than just “Patton Oswalt’s wife” — she’s an accomplished actress, voice artist, and family law mediator with a career spanning decades. Her marriage to Oswalt in 2017 marked a new and hopeful chapter for the comedian and his daughter after a period of profound loss. Today, Patton Oswalt’s wife continues to build her own career while supporting her husband and blended family, and their story remains one of resilience, humor, and second chances.