Chris Rock Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Find out Chris Rock’s Net Worth and Salary:

Chris Rock, a multi-talented American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, has an estimated net worth of $60 million. Despite potential for even higher net worth, Chris experienced a significant financial setback during his divorce from Malaak Compton, his wife of 20 years, where he reportedly lost as much as $40 million. Their divorce was finalized in 2016 after two decades of marriage. The next section outlines how Chris Rock has established himself as one of the highest-earning comedians of all time. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, he has earned millions from solo stand-up specials. Rock was ranked as the fifth-greatest stand-up comedian in a Comedy Central poll.

Chris Rock first rose to prominence with his work on “Saturday Night Live” in the early 1990s, although he had been honing his craft through stand-up and minor acting roles for several years prior. Today, he is an internationally renowned comedic actor, starring in popular films such as “The Longest Yard” (2005), the “Madagascar” franchise (2005-2012), and “Grown Ups” (2010).

Among Chris Rock’s highest-grossing films worldwide are:

• Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012) – $746 million
• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) – $603 million
• Grown Ups (2010) – $271 million
• Grown Ups 2 (2013) – $247 million
• Madagascar (2005) – $532 million

Rock voiced the character of Marty the Zebra in all four Madagascar films, which were immensely successful. He also co-wrote and starred in the “Grown Ups” movies, which were well-received by audiences despite mixed critical reviews. Additionally, Chris created and produced the semi-autobiographical sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris,” which aired 88 episodes between 2005 and 2009.

Top Earning Comedian

During his tours, Chris Rock consistently ranks among the highest-paid comedians globally. For instance, he earned approximately $60 million between June 2016 and June 2017, securing the top spot as the world’s highest-paid comedian. His earnings for the following year, spanning June 2017 to June 2018, amounted to $30 million.

Lucrative Netflix Deal

In an announcement on October 30, 2016, Netflix unveiled plans to release two new stand-up specials featuring Chris Rock. The deal saw him pocketing $40 million ($20 million per special). The first special, “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” premiered on February 14, 2018, marking his first concert special in a decade. On March 4, 2023, Chris released a third Netflix special, titled “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” performed live in Baltimore and streamed worldwide.

Early Life and Professional Journey

Christopher Julius Rock was born on February 7, 1965, in Andrews, South Carolina. Shortly after his birth, Rock and his parents relocated to Brooklyn, New York, eventually settling in Bedford-Stuyvesant after a subsequent move. Growing up, he attended predominantly white schools in Brooklyn, where he faced discrimination and harassment from white classmates. Enduring escalating bullying, Rock made the decision to leave high school, subsequently obtaining his GED while working in fast-food establishments.

Rock delved into stand-up comedy in 1984 at Catch a Rising Star club in New York City. Through his performances, he garnered attention, landing roles such as a stint on the TV series “Miami Vice.” It was during these initial years that Eddie Murphy witnessed Rock’s stand-up at a nightclub, leading to mentorship and Rock’s inaugural film role in “Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987).

Saturday Night Live and Comedy Triumph:

When
he tours, Chris is consistently one of the highest-paid comedians in the world. For example, between June 2016 and June 2017, Chris Rock earned approximately $60 million. That was enough to make him the highest-paid comedian in the world. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Chris earned $30 million.

Netflix Special Payday

On October 30, 2016, Netflix announced the release of two new stand-up specials from Rock. He was paid $40 million ($20 million per special) in the deal. The first one, “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” was released on February 14, 2018, his first concert special in ten years. On March 4, 2023, Chris released a third Netflix special. This special, which was titled “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” was performed live from Baltimore and streamed worldwide.

Early Life and Career

Christopher Julius Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina, on February 7, 1965. Rock and his parents moved shortly after to Brooklyn, New York, finally settling in Bedford-Stuyvesant after a second move. He was bused to schools in mostly white neighborhoods in Brooklyn growing up, where he had to endure bullying and harassment from white students. As the bullying got worse, he dropped out of high school and earned his GED while working at fast-food restaurants.

Rock first ventured into stand-up comedy in 1984 at the club Catch a Rising Star in New York City. As he performed, he slowly gained recognition, even getting a few roles, such as in the TV series “Miami Vice.” These early years are also when Eddie Murphy saw Rock performing at a nightclub and befriended him, mentoring him and even giving Rock his first film role in “Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987).

SaturdayIn 1990, Rock joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL), becoming part of the Bad Boys of SNL alongside Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and David Spade. His first comedy album, “Born Suspect,” debuted in 1991, which was also the year he received accolades for his portrayal of an addict in the film “New Jack City.”

Leaving SNL after two years, Rock appeared on the African-American sketch show “In Living Color.” Although he was only in six episodes before the show’s cancellation, he went on to write and star in the comedy “CB4,” which was made with a budget of $6 million and grossed $18 million.

Rock’s HBO special debut with “Big Ass Jokes” in 1994 was followed by the critically acclaimed “Bring the Pain” in 1996, earning him two Emmy Awards. He garnered further acclaim as a commentator on “Politically Incorrect” during the 1996 US Presidential Elections, which led to another Emmy nomination.

His subsequent HBO specials, “Bigger & Blacker” (1999) and “Never Scared” (2004), received high praises from publications like Time and Entertainment Weekly. Additionally, his talk show “The Chris Rock Show” on HBO earned him an Emmy for writing. The Grammy-winning comedy albums “Roll with the New,” “Bigger & Blacker,” and “Never Scared” also added to his accolades. His fifth HBO special, “Kill the Messenger,” was released in 2008, earning him another Emmy.

Apart from his successful comedy ventures, Rock branched out into a thriving film career. He starred in various movies, including “Down to Earth” (2001), “Bad Company” (2002), “The Longest Yard” (2005), and more. His voice work in the “Madagascar” franchise and his recent roles in “Amsterdam” (2022) and “Rustin” showcase his versatility as an actor. Additionally, Rock explored writing, directing, and acting in films like “Head of State” (2003) and “Top Five” (2014), along with the documentary “Good Hair” (2009) about American American women’s hairstyles.

As a television producer, Rock notably helmed the comedy series “Everybody Hates Chris,” based on his teenage experiences and running from 2005 to 2009. The show garnered a 2006 Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy).Winning numerous awards for ‘Everybody Hates Chris,’ including three NAACP Image Awards (2007, 2006, and 2006), a 2006 People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Television Comedy, and two 2006 Emmy Awards in costuming and cinematography, Rock also produced the series “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” (2012).

Rock, drawing on his years of comedy performance experience, not only hosted the 77^th Academy Awards in 2005 but also the 88^th Academy Awards in 2016. Known as “a dedicated cannabis consumer,” Rock invested in Lowell Herb Co., a cannabis brand in California, in August 2019.

Will Smith Slap

The infamous incident took place in March 2022 at the Academy Awards when Will Smith rushed on stage and slapped Chris in response to a joke made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett. Up to nearly a full year after the incident, Chris barely addressed it publicly until his live Netflix special on March 4, 2023, where he openly rebuked both Jada and Will Smith.

Personal Life

Rock tied the knot with Malaak Compton-Rock on November 23, 1996, residing in New Jersey with their two daughters (born in 2002 and 2004). In December 2014, Rock announced his filing for divorce, confessing to infidelity and a porn addiction. The divorce was finalized in 2016, with Chris reportedly paying his ex-wife around $40 million in real estate and liquid assets.

Reports in July 2022 revealed that Chris Rock had begun dating actress, screenwriter, and director Lake Bell.

Real Estate

In 1994, while working on SNL, Chris purchased a home in Brooklyn, New York, living there for two years before relocating to the suburbs with his new wife, Malaak. He subsequently rented out the Brooklyn property for $8,000 per month until 2017 when he listed the home for sale at $3.25 million. Following the divorce, Malaak continued living in the family’s 13,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, acquired in 2001 for $3 million.