Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kenya Barris’s Net Worth?
Kenya Barris, a prominent figure in television and film as a producer, director, writer, and actor, has amassed a considerable net worth estimated at $75 million. This financial standing reflects his successful career in the entertainment industry, highlighted by his creation of the widely acclaimed ABC sitcom “black-ish”. His income is derived from various sources, including television production, film writing, and acting roles.
Early Career and Television Success
Born on August 9, 1974, in Inglewood, California, Kenya Barris began his journey in television in 2000 as a writer for the UPN sitcom “Girlfriends.” This role marked his entry into the industry, providing him with valuable experience that would later contribute to his success. In 2003, while still working on “Girlfriends,” Barris partnered with Tyra Banks to co-create and produce “America’s Next Top Model,” a reality television competition series that aired for 24 cycles. The show became a cultural phenomenon, showcasing Barris’s versatility and entrepreneurial spirit.
From 2002 to 2004, Barris contributed his writing talent to the Showtime drama series “Soul Food,” further solidifying his presence in the television landscape. Subsequently, from 2004 to 2005, he worked as a writer on the CBS sitcom “Listen Up!,” starring Jason Alexander. In 2006, Barris joined “The Game,” a spinoff of “Girlfriends,” where he remained until 2014, showcasing his commitment to long-term projects and his ability to create compelling narratives.
During this period, Barris also wrote for the TBS sitcom “Are We There Yet?,” based on the film of the same name. From 2012 to 2013, he contributed to the Fox sitcom “I Hate My Teenage Daughter,” starring Jaime Pressly and Katie Finneran. These early television projects laid the groundwork for his later achievements, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different genres and formats.
“black-ish” Franchise and Netflix Deal
Kenya Barris achieved widespread recognition in 2014 with the creation of the ABC sitcom “black-ish.” The show, featuring a stellar cast including Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson, revolves around an upper-class Black family navigating various personal and sociopolitical issues. Barris not only created the show but also directed and wrote numerous episodes, showcasing his multifaceted talent. “black-ish” has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple NAACP Image Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Tracee Ellis Ross.
The success of “black-ish” led to the creation of spinoffs, starting with “grown-ish” in 2018, co-created with Larry Wilmore. This series follows Zoey, the eldest daughter of the Johnson family, as she embarks on her journey to adulthood. In 2019, Barris co-created a second spinoff, “mixed-ish,” with Peter Saji and Tracee Ellis Ross, serving as a prequel to “black-ish.” The show was loosely based on the early life of his wife, Dr. Rania Barris, portrayed as a youth by Arica Himmel. However, “mixed-ish” was canceled after two seasons in 2021.
In August 2018, Kenya Barris signed a $100 million exclusive production and development deal with Netflix. This lucrative deal allowed Barris to further expand his creative reach and produce a variety of content for the streaming service.
Further Television and Film Career
Beyond the “black-ish” franchise, Barris served as an executive producer on the Netflix series “Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show” in 2019. In 2020, he created his own sitcom for Netflix entitled “#blackAF,” where he also starred as a fictionalized version of himself, marking his acting debut. Despite a strong start, “#blackAF” was canceled after a single season. Barris has continued to work with Netflix, executive producing animated series such as “We the People” and “Entergalactic”.
Barris ventured into feature films as a co-writer of “Barbershop: The Next Cut” in 2016. He collaborated with Tracy Oliver to write the hit romcom “Girls Trip” in 2017. In 2019, Barris produced the fantasy comedy “Little” and co-wrote “Shaft” with Alex Barnow. He co-wrote “The Witches” (2020) with Robert Zemeckis and Guillermo del Toro. Alongside David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein, Barris co-wrote “Coming 2 America” (2021). He also co-wrote the 2022 Disney remake of “Cheaper by the Dozen” with Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry. In 2022, Barris made his feature film directorial debut with “You People,” a Netflix film co-written with Jonah Hill.
Real Estate Investments
Kenya Barris’s portfolio extends to real estate. In July 2019, he purchased a mansion in Encino, California, for $7.6 million. This property reflects his success and high-profile status. In May 2020, Barris acquired a home in Studio City, California, for $4.6 million. These real estate investments indicate a strategic approach to wealth management and a preference for properties in desirable locations within the Los Angeles area. While the exact details of the properties, such as square footage, specific features, and addresses, are not publicly available, the purchase prices provide insight into the scale and value of these assets.
Kenya Barris’s Personal Life
In 1999, Barris married Dr. Rania “Rainbow” Edwards, an anesthesiologist. The couple has six children together. The couple initially filed for divorce in 2019, but they reconciled in 2020. The couple has been relatively private about the specifics of their daily lives, work habits, and public appearances. Information regarding his personal life is not available for public knowledge.
Summary of Kenya Barris’s Net Worth and Career
Kenya Barris’s net worth of $75 million is a testament to his achievements in the entertainment industry. He has become a significant figure in television and film. From his early work on shows like “Girlfriends” to his creation of the “black-ish” franchise and his lucrative deal with Netflix, Barris has consistently demonstrated his creative talent and business acumen. His real estate investments further reflect his financial success and strategic approach to wealth management. As he continues to produce and create content, his influence and net worth will continue to expand. His career shows what is possible for one who has great talent in writing.
