Net Worth Ranker
What Is Courtney B. Vance’s Net Worth?
Courtney B. Vance, a celebrated American actor and producer, boasts a net worth of $25 million. This figure represents the combined financial standing of Vance and his wife, Angela Bassett, a distinguished actress in her own right, after over 25 years of marriage.
Early Career and Broadway Success
Born on March 12, 1960, in Detroit, Michigan, Courtney Bernard Vance’s journey to stardom began with a solid educational foundation. He attended Detroit Country Day School before pursuing higher education at Harvard University. During his time at Harvard, Vance actively engaged with the Boston Shakespeare Company, honing his acting skills. He further refined his craft at the Yale School of Drama, where he earned an MFA degree. A pivotal moment in his early career was his performance in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fences” at Yale in 1985. Vance’s talent led him to reprise his role on Broadway from 1987 to 1988, earning him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play. This early recognition laid the groundwork for his subsequent success in film and television. His early career in theater helped build the foundation of his current $25 million net worth.
Film Career Highlights
Courtney B. Vance’s transition to film began in 1987 with his debut in the Vietnam War film “Hamburger Hill”. In 1990, he gained further recognition for his role as a sonar technician in the submarine spy thriller “The Hunt for Red October”. He was cast as Jim in the 1993 adaptation of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huck Finn”. 1995 proved to be a significant year for Vance, as he landed substantial roles in three films: “Dangerous Minds,” “The Last Supper,” and “Panther,” where he portrayed Black Panther Bobby Seale. Other notable film credits from the 1990s include “The Preacher’s Wife,” “Ambushed,” “Cookie’s Fortune,” and “Love and Action in Chicago.” In the 2000s, Vance appeared in Clint Eastwood’s “Space Cowboys,” the psychological thriller “D-Tox,” the political drama “Nothing but the Truth,” the sports drama “Hurricane Season,” and the medical drama “Extraordinary Measures.” He also ventured into horror with roles in “The Divide” and “Final Destination 5” in 2011. In 2012, he starred in the musical dramedy “Joyful Noise” alongside Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, and Keke Palmer. Later film appearances include “Terminator Genisys,” “Office Christmas Party,” and “The Mummy” (2017). Vance’s more recent film work includes a supporting role in “Ben is Back” (2018) and narration for Wes Anderson’s animated film “Isle of Dogs.” He also appeared in “The Photograph,” “Uncorked,” and “Project Power,” all released in 2020. While specific box office earnings for each of these films are not directly attributable to Vance’s individual compensation, their overall success contributes to his marketability and earning potential. For instance, “Space Cowboys” grossed over $128 million worldwide, and while Vance’s salary for the role is not public, such a high-profile film would undoubtedly have boosted his career and future earnings.
Television Career and Emmy Awards
On television, Vance made his debut in the 1983 television film “First Affair,” playing a student. He subsequently appeared in an episode of “Thirtysomething” in 1989 and “Law & Order” in 1990. Vance continued to work in television films, including “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “In the Line of Duty: Street War,” “Percy & Thunder,” and “Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad.” In 1995, Vance starred in three notable television films: “The Piano Lesson,” based on August Wilson’s play; “The Tuskegee Airmen,” about the first African-American combat unit in the US Army Air Corps; and “The Affair,” where he played a World War II serviceman in England. He also appeared in two episodes of “Picket Fences” in 1995. The latter part of the decade saw Vance in television films such as “The Boys Next Door,” “12 Angry Men,” and two “Naked City” films. Vance secured his most significant role in 2001 as A.D.A. Ron Carver on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” appearing in 111 episodes through 2006. During this period, he also starred in the television film “Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story.” Following his tenure on “Law & Order,” Vance appeared in three episodes of “State of Mind” and had a recurring role as Russell Banfield on the final season of “ER.” From 2009 to 2010, he played FBI Assistant Director Stanford Wedeck on “FlashForward.” He later had recurring roles on “The Closer” and “Revenge.” From 2014 to 2015, Vance had another recurring role on “State of Affairs,” and guest-starred on “Masters of Sex” and “Scandal.” In 2016, Vance earned widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. He garnered further accolades in 2017 for his performance in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” In 2020, he won his second Emmy Award for his guest role on the HBO series “Lovecraft Country.” In 2021, Vance played civil rights activist C. L. Franklin in “Genius.” The financial impact of Vance’s television roles is substantial. His 111-episode run on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” would have provided a steady income stream for several years. While exact salary figures are not publicly available, lead roles in established network series typically command significant compensation, potentially ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 or more per episode. His Emmy Awards for “The People v. O. J. Simpson” and “Lovecraft Country” not only brought prestige but also increased his visibility and market value, leading to higher fees for subsequent roles. His estimated salary from “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” would have been around $11 million. The Emmy award he won for “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” would have earned him about $5 million dollars.
Stage Career and Tony Awards
Following his Broadway debut in “Fences,” Vance played Thami Mbikwarna in “My Children! My Africa!” from 1989 to 1990. He then played Paul in John Guare’s “Six Degrees of Separation,” earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play. Vance returned to Broadway in 2013, playing Hap Hairston in Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy,” for which he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. While Broadway salaries are generally lower than those in film and television for established stars, a Tony Award can significantly boost an actor’s profile and open doors to higher-paying opportunities in other mediums. The Tony Award he won for Best Featured Actor in a Play helped increase his overall net worth and earning potential.
Personal Life and Marriage to Angela Bassett
In 1997, Vance married actress Angela Bassett, whom he met while they were both attending Yale. They have twins, a daughter and a son, and reside in Los Angeles, California. Together, Vance and Bassett wrote a book called “Friends: A Love Story” with Hilary Beard. The financial implications of a long-term marriage to another successful actor are considerable. Joint ventures, shared investments, and combined earning power all contribute to a family’s overall net worth. While the $25 million figure represents their combined net worth, it underscores the financial stability and success they have achieved together.
