Net Worth Ranker
What Is Suzanne de Passe’s Net Worth?
Suzanne de Passe, a prominent figure in the American entertainment industry, has accumulated a net worth of $40 million. This financial standing is a result of her multifaceted career as a producer, screenwriter, and executive, primarily within the realms of television and film.
Career Highlights and Financial Impact
De Passe’s career trajectory began at New York City’s Cheetah nightclub, leading to a pivotal role as a creative assistant to Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown Records. This association proved instrumental in expanding Motown’s reach into television. She produced several television specials in the 1980s, most notably “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.” During this period, she served as the president of Motown Productions, further solidifying her influence within the company. While specific financial details regarding her salary or earnings during her tenure at Motown are not publicly available, her leadership and contributions undoubtedly played a significant role in the company’s success and her own financial growth.
In 1988, Berry Gordy Jr. sold the Motown record label to MCA and Boston Ventures, and in 1989 he sold Motown Productions to de Passe. She subsequently renamed the company De Passe Entertainment in 1992. Under her leadership, the company produced the critically acclaimed CBS television miniseries “Lonesome Dove” in 1989. This miniseries, based on Larry McMurtry’s novel, starred Robert Duvall and garnered numerous awards, significantly boosting De Passe Entertainment’s profile. It is estimated that a successful miniseries like “Lonesome Dove” could generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue through initial broadcast rights, subsequent syndication deals, and home video sales, contributing substantially to De Passe Entertainment’s financial success.
Further enhancing her reputation, de Passe produced another successful miniseries, “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” in 1992. This five-hour ABC miniseries, which chronicled the history of the Jackson family, featured a cast including Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Angela Bassett, and Billy Dee Williams. The series’ popularity and critical acclaim further cemented de Passe’s position as a leading producer in the television industry, enhancing the financial stability of De Passe Entertainment.
De Passe Entertainment also ventured into film production, with credits including “Class Act” (1992), starring the hip hop duo Kid ‘n Play, and “Who’s the Man?” (1993). While these films may not have reached blockbuster status, they contributed to the company’s revenue stream and diversified its portfolio. The specific box office returns and financial gains from these films are not publicly available, but they represent a portion of the company’s overall income during that period.
The company continued to produce sequels to “Lonesome Dove,” including the television miniseries “Return to Lonesome Dove,” “Streets of Laredo,” and “Dead Man’s Walk.” In television sitcoms, De Passe Entertainment produced the hit show “Sister, Sister” (1994-1999), starring Tia and Tamera Mowry, which ran for six seasons. Though financial specifics of these shows are not public, a successful sitcom, rerun in syndication can be a reliable income source for many years.
De Passe Entertainment also produced the sitcom “Smart Guy” (1997-1999) and the NBC miniseries “The Temptations” (1998). In 1999, the company produced the Disney Channel Original Movie “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century,” followed by sequels “Zenon: The Zequel” (2001) and “Zenon: Z3” (2004). Additionally, De Passe Entertainment produced the variety show “Showtime at the Apollo” from 2002 to 2008 and again from 2016 to 2018. Each of these productions added to the company’s revenue, contributing to Suzanne de Passe’s net worth.
Screenwriting and Academy Award Nomination
In addition to her producing roles, de Passe co-wrote the screenplay for the 1972 film “Lady Sings the Blues,” starring Diana Ross. This accomplishment earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, making her the first African-American to be nominated in that category. While the nomination itself did not directly translate into a monetary reward, it significantly enhanced her reputation and credibility within the industry, potentially leading to more lucrative opportunities in the future. The financial compensation she received for co-writing the screenplay is not publicly known.
Real Estate Investments
De Passe’s real estate holdings include a home in Beverly Hills, California, which she purchased in June 1989 for $110,000. This property is currently estimated to be worth around $5 million. The appreciation in value of this property represents a significant increase in her assets and contributes to her overall net worth. The specific address and details of any other real estate investments she may have are not publicly available.
