Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tommy Lister’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on December 10, 2020, Tommy “Tiny” Lister, the American character actor and former wrestler, had a net worth estimated at $100,000. This figure reflects his earnings from a diverse career spanning professional wrestling and acting roles in film and television. Lister’s financial situation reportedly faced significant challenges, particularly in the years leading up to his death.
Tommy Lister’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on June 24, 1958, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Tommy Lister’s early life provided the foundation for his later success, though specific financial details from that time are unavailable. Growing up in Compton, California, he faced the challenge of blindness in his right eye. Lister’s athletic abilities became apparent early on. He attended Palomar Junior College before transferring to California State University, Los Angeles. At CSU Los Angeles, he excelled in track and field, ultimately becoming the NCAA Division II National Shot Put Champion in 1982. The university’s athletic department continues to honor his legacy by hosting an annual track meet in his name. While his collegiate athletic achievements didn’t translate directly into immediate financial gains, they paved the way for future opportunities in professional sports and entertainment.
Following college, Lister briefly pursued a career in professional football, securing a spot on a USFL team. However, he was cut after just two exhibition games. This setback led him to shift his focus towards wrestling and acting, setting the stage for his breakthrough role as Zeus in the 1989 Hulk Hogan film “No Holds Barred.” The movie, produced by Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF), served as a springboard for Lister’s full-time entry into the WWF world as Zeus.
Tommy Lister’s Wrestling Career and Earnings
From 1989 to 1990, Tommy Lister, as Zeus, engaged in wrestling matches with and against some of the WWF’s biggest stars, including Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Randy Savage, and Ted DiBiase. Details regarding his specific earnings from WWF matches are not publicly available. Between 1990 and 1996, he participated in various wrestling organizations, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Specific details on his contracts and earnings from WCW are not widely published, making it difficult to determine the exact financial impact of his wrestling career on his overall net worth.
Tommy Lister’s Acting Career: Film and Television Roles
Tommy Lister’s acting career significantly contributed to his income, but also appeared to suffer later due to fraud and mismanagement. In 1995, Lister achieved cult icon status for his portrayal of Deebo in the Ice Cube film “Friday,” a role he reprised in the 2000 sequel “Next Friday.” His performance as Deebo solidified his presence in popular culture. In 1997, he further solidified his iconic status with his appearance as the Galactic President in “The Fifth Element,” alongside Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Chris Tucker. Although the salary details for these roles haven’t been publicly released, these roles certainly contributed to his overall income during the peak of his career.
Additional film credits include appearances in “The Dark Knight,” “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” and “Little Nicky.” He also made a memorable appearance as Sancho in the 1997 music video for “Santeria” by Sublime. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact earnings from each role, these projects collectively contributed to his income stream as an actor. His role in “The Dark Knight” was smaller but still contributed to his overall recognition and potential earnings in subsequent, smaller projects. Unfortunately, details surrounding payment structures, back-end deals, or residuals from these appearances are not publicly accessible.
Tommy Lister’s Legal Troubles and Financial Challenges
On August 31, 2012, Tommy Lister pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mortgage fraud. Lister and others acquired four properties in Los Angeles between November 2005 and June 2007, using false bank statements. They obtained $5.7 million in mortgages and withdrew over $1 million in home equity loans. The group then defaulted on the mortgages, resulting in $3.8 million in losses for lenders. This legal trouble undoubtedly impacted his finances negatively, potentially contributing to his relatively low reported net worth at the time of his death. It is known that, as part of his sentencing, he was ordered to pay restitution, further straining his financial resources. The details of the restitution payment plan, including the amounts and schedule, are not publicly available.
Tommy Lister’s Personal Life and Final Years
Tommy Lister was a born-again Christian who married Felicia Forbes in January 2003. They had one child together. Tommy Lister died on December 10, 2020, at the age of 62. Reports indicated that he had been experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Details surrounding his assets at the time of his death, including any property he owned or financial accounts, are not publicly accessible. Specific information about his estate planning and any inheritance matters are also not available.
