Chris Rock Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Chris Rock’s Net Worth and Salary?

Chris Rock, an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, has a net worth estimated at $60 million. Although his net worth is significant, it could potentially be higher; following his divorce from his wife of 20 years, Malaak Compton, he lost tens of millions of dollars—reportedly up to $40 million. Their divorce was finalized in 2016 after two decades of marriage. As detailed in the following section, Chris is regarded as one of the highest-paid comedians in history. With over four decades of standup performance under his belt, he can command tens of millions of dollars for a single standup special today. A Comedy Central poll even recognized him as the fifth-greatest stand-up comedian of all time.

Rock initially gained immense popularity through “Saturday Night Live” in the early 1990s, although he had been performing standup and taking on smaller roles leading up to that time. Today, he stands as one of the world’s most renowned comedic actors, recognized for his work in films such as “The Longest Yard” (2005), the “Madagascar” series (2005-2012), and “Grown Ups” (2010).

Among Rock’s biggest box office successes globally, the following movies stand out:

• 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

In the four Madagascar films, Rock provided the voice for Marty the Zebra, all of which achieved notable commercial success. He also starred in the Grown Ups films, which he co-wrote with Adam Sandler; despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, both were well-received by audiences. Additionally, Chris created and produced the semi-autobiographical sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris,” which aired 88 episodes from 2005 to 2009.

Highest Paid Comedian

Chris consistently ranks among the highest-paid comedians globally while on tour. For instance, from June 2016 to June 2017, he earned around $60 million, making him the top-earning comedian during that period. From June 2017 to June 2018, he brought in $30 million.

Netflix Special Payday

Netflix announced on October 30, 2016, that two new stand-up specials featuring Rock would be released. He received $40 million for this agreement ($20 million for each special). The first special, titled “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” premiered on February 14, 2018, marking his return to the stage with a concert special after ten years. On March 4, 2023, he launched a third Netflix special titled “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” performed live in Baltimore and streamed globally.

Early Life and Career

Christopher Julius Rock was born on February 7, 1965, in Andrews, South Carolina. Shortly after his birth, he and his family relocated to Brooklyn, New York, ultimately settling in Bedford-Stuyvesant following another move. While growing up, he was bused to schools in predominantly white neighborhoods in Brooklyn, where he faced bullying and harassment from white classmates. The increasing severity of the bullying led him to leave high school; he later obtained his GED while working at fast-food restaurants.

Rock embarked on his stand-up comedy journey in 1984 at the club Catch a Rising Star in New York City. As he performed, he gradually gained recognition, landing a few acting roles, including one in the TV series “Miami Vice.” During this period, Eddie Murphy noticed Rock’s performances at a nightclub and befriended him, providing mentorship and even casting him in his first film role in “Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987).

Saturday Night Live and Comedy

Success

In 1990, Rock became part of the Saturday Night Live (SNL) ensemble. Alongside new cast members Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, they earned the moniker the Bad Boys of SNL. His debut comedy album, “Born Suspect,” hit the shelves in 1991. That same year, he garnered acclaim for his role as an addict in “New Jack City.”

Rock departed SNL two years later, choosing to join its rival show airing in prime time, the predominantly African-American sketch series “In Living Color.” Unfortunately, he featured in only six episodes since the show was canceled just a month after his arrival. Soon after, Rock wrote and starred in the film “CB4,” which had a production cost of $6 million and grossed $18 million.

In 1994, Rock launched his inaugural HBO special, “Big Ass Jokes,” but it was his subsequent special in 1996, “Bring the Pain,” that not only earned him two Emmy Awards but also solidified his reputation as one of America’s top comedians. Further rising to prominence, he served as a commentator on “Politically Incorrect” on Comedy Central during the 1996 United States Presidential Elections, resulting in another Emmy nomination.

His HBO comedy specials “Bigger & Blacker” (1999) and “Never Scared” (2004) received accolades from Time and Entertainment Weekly, declaring him “the funniest man in America.” Additionally, HBO featured “The Chris Rock Show,” his own talk show where he interviewed various celebrities and politicians, earning an Emmy for his writing. During this period, he released award-winning comedy albums like “Roll with the New,” “Bigger & Blacker,” and “Never Scared,” all of which won Grammy Awards. In September 2008, Rock released his fifth HBO special, “Kill the Messenger,” which awarded him another Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety or music program.

Film Career

The acclaim from his stand-up career allowed Rock to take on leading roles in films like “Down to Earth” (2001), “Bad Company” (2002), “The Longest Yard” (2005), “Death at a Funeral” (2010), “Grown Ups” (2010), and “2 Days in New York” (2012). He also lent his voice to Marty the Zebra in three installments of the “Madagascar” animation series. Following his portrayal of Milton King in the 2022 film “Amsterdam,” Rock is poised to portray Roy Wilkins in the upcoming biographical drama “Rustin.”

Beyond acting, Rock has taken on screenwriting and directing responsibilities. He both wrote and directed, as well as starred in the films “Head of State” (2003), “I Think I Love My Wife” (2007), and the critically lauded “Top Five” (2014). Additionally, he produced a documentary titled “Good Hair” in 2009, which explored perceptions and the historical significance of African American women’s hairstyles.

Other Projects and Ventures

Rock’s expertise extends beyond writing and directing films; he has also made strides as a television producer. He served as the executive producer and narrator for the comedy series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which premiered on UPN in 2005. The series transitioned to The CW, where it concluded its final season in 2009. The show’s narratives were primarily drawn from Rock’s adolescent experiences and received numerous nominations.

Chris Rock received accolades such as a 2006 Golden Globe for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy), a 2006 People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Television Comedy, and two Emmy Awards in 2006 for costuming and cinematography. He also produced the series “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” in 2012.

Utilizing his extensive experience in stand-up comedy, Rock hosted both the 77^th Academy Awards in 2005 and the 88^th Academy Awards in 2016. Rock, who is known for being “a dedicated cannabis consumer,” made an investment in Lowell Herb Co., a California-based cannabis brand, in August 2019.

Will Smith Slap

As you might be aware, during the Academy Awards in March 2022, Will Smith unexpectedly stormed the stage and slapped Chris in response to a joke made by the comedian about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett. For nearly a year, Chris refrained from discussing the incident publicly until his live Netflix special aired on March 4, 2023, where he harshly criticized both Jada and Will Smith.

Personal Life

On November 23, 1996, Rock wed Malaak Compton-Rock, and they resided in New Jersey with their two daughters, born in 2002 and 2004. In December 2014, Rock made the announcement that he was filing for divorce, revealing issues with infidelity and a porn addiction. Their divorce was concluded in 2016, with Chris reportedly paying his ex-wife around $40 million in real estate and liquid assets.

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

Real Estate

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