Net Worth Ranker
What Is Laurence Fishburne’s Net Worth?
Laurence Fishburne, a highly accomplished actor, screenwriter, and producer, boasts a net worth of approximately $30 million. This substantial wealth is the culmination of decades of work in film, television, and theater. His diverse portfolio includes iconic roles such as Morpheus in “The Matrix” trilogy, Jason Styles in “Boyz n the Hood,” and Ike Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” each contributing significantly to his financial standing.
Laurence Fishburne’s Career and Earnings
Fishburne’s journey to a $30 million net worth began early in life. Born in 1961 in Augusta, Georgia, he took on his first acting role at age 12 in 1973, playing Joshua Hall on the ABC soap opera “One Life to Live.” This initial foray into acting laid the foundation for a career that would span decades and encompass a wide range of projects.
His film debut came a couple of years later in “Cornbread, Earl and Me,” where he played a young boy witnessing a police shooting. This was followed by a supporting role in the epic Vietnam War film “Apocalypse Now” (1979), where he played Tyrone Miller. Although he began shooting the film when he was only 14, filming took so long that Fishburne was 17 upon its completion.
The 1980s saw Fishburne steadily building his resume with roles in “Willie & Phil,” “Death Wish II,” and Francis Ford Coppola’s “Rumble Fish” and “The Cotton Club.” He also had a small part in Steven Spielberg’s “The Color Purple” (1985), followed by starring roles in “Quicksilver” and “Band of the Hand.” Later in the decade, he appeared in “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors,” “Gardens of Stone,” and “Cherry 2000,” solidifying his presence in Hollywood.
The 1990s marked a significant turning point in Fishburne’s career. He kicked off the decade with Abel Ferrara’s crime thriller “King of New York” and starred in the prison film “Cadence” and the legal drama “Class Action.” However, it was his role as Jason “Furious” Styles in John Singleton’s “Boyz n the Hood” (1991) that catapulted him to mainstream recognition. The film grossed nearly $60 million and received two Academy Award nominations, further boosting Fishburne’s profile.
In 1993, Fishburne delivered another critically acclaimed performance as Ike Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” earning him an Academy Award nomination alongside Angela Bassett, who played Tina Turner. This role not only showcased his acting prowess but also significantly increased his market value in the industry.
The late 1990s brought Fishburne his most iconic role to date: Morpheus in “The Matrix” (1999). This science-fiction film became a global phenomenon, and Fishburne’s portrayal of the enigmatic hacker-mentor solidified his status as a leading actor. While his earnings for the first film were relatively modest, the subsequent sequels brought substantial financial rewards.
For “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions” (both released in 2003), Fishburne earned $15 million for each film, plus 3.75% of the backend profits. This backend participation brought his total earnings for these two films to approximately $40 million, significantly contributing to his overall net worth.
In the 2000s and beyond, Fishburne continued to work steadily in both film and television. He lent his voice to the animated film “Osmosis Jones” and appeared in films such as “Mystic River,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” “Assault on Precinct 13,” “Akeelah and the Bee,” “Bobby,” and “Five Fingers.” He also took on roles in “21,” “Armored,” and “Black Water Transit,” further diversifying his income streams.
On television, Fishburne joined the cast of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” in 2008, playing Dr. Raymond Langston for 60 episodes. At his peak on the show, he earned $350,000 per episode, totaling approximately $8 million per season. This lucrative television role significantly bolstered his annual income during his time on the show.
From 2013, Fishburne played Jack Crawford on NBC’s “Hannibal.” His work on this show earned him $175,000 over 36 episodes, which works out to around $6.3 million.
Starting in 2014, Fishburne also took on the role of Earl Johnson on the ABC sitcom “Black-ish.” As both a star and executive producer, he earns $200,000 per episode. This dual role not only provides a consistent income stream but also allows him to exert creative control over the show, potentially leading to further financial gains through production credits.
Laurence Fishburne’s Real Estate and Personal Life
In October 2001, Laurence Fishburne invested in a 6,000 square foot home in Los Angeles, paying $2.25 million. As of today, the estimated value of this property is between $5-6 million, reflecting a substantial increase in value over the years. This real estate investment represents a significant portion of his assets and contributes to his overall net worth.
In his personal life, Fishburne has experienced both marriage and divorce. He married Hajna O. Moss in 1985, and they divorced sometime in the 1990s. Together, they have two children: a son, Langston, born in 1987, and a daughter, Montana, born in 1991.
In 2002, Fishburne married actress Gina Torres. They have a daughter, Delilah, who was born in June 2007. Gina and Laurence divorced in 2018 after separating a year earlier. These personal events, while not directly impacting his net worth, reflect the various stages of his life and career.
Fishburne has also been recognized for his contributions to the arts and humanitarian efforts. He was awarded the Harvard Foundation’s Artist of the Year Award and given the key to the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, by Mayor Kenneth Reeves. In honor of his achievements, February 24th has been declared “Laurence Fishburne Day” in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
