Chris Rock, an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, has a net worth of $60 million per celebrity networth, although he lost tens of millions in a separation settlement with his wife of 20 years.
He is one of the highest-paid comedians of all time, voted as the fifth-greatest stand-up comedian by Comedy Central.
Chris gained a wide following through “Saturday Night Live” in the early 1990s and is now one of the most famous comedic actors globally, known for movies such as “The Longest Yard,” “the Madagascar” film series, and “Grown Ups.”
The highest-grossing films of Rock based on worldwide box office are:
- Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) – $603 million
- Madagascar (2005) – $532 million
- Grown Ups (2010) – $271 million
- Grown Ups 2 (2013) – $247 million
Chris Rock lent his voice to the character of Marty the zebra in all four installments of the commercially successful Madagascar movie franchise.
He co-wrote and starred in the Grown Ups films, which were well-received by audiences but received mixed reviews from critics.
Additionally, he created and produced the semi-autobiographical sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris,” which aired 88 episodes from 2005 to 2009.
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Most Lucrative Comedian
Chris Rock is known to be one of the highest-paid comedians in the world while he’s on tour. For instance, from June 2016 to June 2017, he reportedly earned around $60 million, making him the top-earning comedian globally. Around June 2017 and June 2018, Chris achieved $30 million.
Payday Special On Netflix
On October 30, 2016, Netflix announced they would release two new stand-up specials from Chris Rock, for which he was paid $40 million ($20 million per special).
The first special, “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” was released on February 14, 2018, marking his first concert special in a decade.
On March 4, 2023, Chris premiered his third Netflix special, “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” performed live in Baltimore and streamed globally.
The Success Of Saturday Night Live And Its Entertainment
In 1990, Chris Rock joined the Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast alongside Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, who became collectively known as the Bad Boys of SNL.
In addition to receiving praise for his portrayal as an addict in the movie “New Jack City” that same year, he released his debut comedy CD, “Born Suspect,” the same year.
Rock left SNL after two years and briefly appeared on the short-lived sketch show “In Living Color.”
He then wrote and starred in the low-budget comedy “CB4,” which brought in $18 million on a $6 million budget.
Rock’s HBO special “Bring the Pain” (1996) earned him two Emmy Awards and cemented his status as one of the best comedians in the country.
He also gained popularity as a commentator on Comedy Central’s “Politically Incorrect” during the 1996 Presidential Elections, earning him another Emmy nomination.
During this period, Rock created and hosted his talk show on HBO, “The Chris Rock Show,” which won an Emmy for writing.
He also released multiple award-winning comedy albums, including “Bigger & Blacker” and “Never Scared,” which won Grammy Awards.
His fifth HBO special, “Kill the Messenger,” was released in 2008 and won him another Emmy for outstanding writing.
Film Career
Thanks to his successful comedy career, Chris Rock landed leading roles in various films, including “Bad Company” (2002), “The Longest Yard” (2005), “Death at a Funeral” (2010), and “2 Days in New York” (2012).
He also lent his voice to the roles of Marty, the zebra, in three of the “Madagascar” animated film series.
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Rock has also made strides as a writer and director.
He wrote, directed, and starred in the films “Head of State” (2003), “I Think I Love My Wife” (2007), and the critically acclaimed “Top Five” (2014).
He also produced and directed a documentary in 2009 called “Good Hair,” which explores the history and perceptions of African American women’s hairstyles.
Other Initiatives & Programs
Chris Rock’s talents extend beyond writing and directing films, as he has also worked as a television producer.
He served as executive producer and narrator for the comedy series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which premiered on UPN in 2005 and later moved to The CW, wrapping its final season in 2009.
The show drew from Rock’s teenage experiences and received critical acclaim, earning nominations for a Golden Globe, People’s Choice Award, and two Emmy Awards. Additionally, Rock produced the series “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” in 2012.
Utilizing his extensive experience as a comedian, Rock has hosted two Academy Awards ceremonies, the 77th in 2005 and the 88th in 2016.
He also invested in the California-based cannabis brand Lowell Herb Co. in August 2019, as he is known for his dedication to cannabis consumption.
Real Estate
While working on SNL in 1994, Chris purchased a home in Brooklyn, New York, where he lived for two years before relocating to the suburbs with his wife, Malaak.
He then rented out the Brooklyn property for $8,000 per month until 2017, when he listed it on the market for $3.25 million.
Following their divorce, Malaak remained in the family’s 13,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, which they had bought in 2001 for $3 million.
Chris Rock Strikes Back A Year After Being Slapped
Chris Rock performed his first stand-up special since the Oscars on Saturday night, touching on last year’s ceremony, hypersensitivity, and contemporary issues such as virtue signaling, high-priced yoga pants, the Capitol riot, and the Kardashians.
The “Selective Outrage” show was live-streamed on Netflix from the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore. It also contained some material on the Will Smith incident during the Oscars.
The show featured pre- and post-show bookends of star-studded live programming.
