Net Worth Ranker
What Is Issa Rae’s Net Worth?
Issa Rae, an accomplished American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and director, has accumulated a net worth of $20 million. This impressive figure reflects her multifaceted career and entrepreneurial ventures.
Issa Rae’s Career Highlights and Earnings
Rae’s journey to financial success began with her web series, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” (2011–2013), where she served as creator, writer, producer, and director. The series gained traction on YouTube, leading to a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $56,000 from more than 1,900 donors. This initial success paved the way for future opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Her most prominent role is as co-creator, writer, producer, and star of the HBO series “Insecure” (2016–2021). The show aired for five seasons, comprising 44 episodes, and garnered 14 Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations. The series was lauded at the 2018 Peabody Awards for its authentic portrayal of young black people in modern society and was recognized as one of the Top 10 Television Programs of 2017 by the American Film Institute.
In addition to her television work, Rae has appeared in films such as “The Hate U Give” (2018), “Little” (2019), “The Photograph” (2020), and “The Lovebirds” (2020). She has also contributed to television series like “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (2019–2021).
Rae’s creative endeavors extend beyond acting and writing. She created, wrote, produced, and directed the web series “The Choir” (2013–2015) and created the HBO Max shows “Sweet Life: Los Angeles” (2021) and “Rap Sh!t” (2022). Her extensive production credits, exceeding 25, include “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “The Photograph,” “The Lovebirds,” “Sweet Life: Los Angeles,” and “Rap Sh!t.”
She is also the author of the 2015 “New York Times” bestseller “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl,” and she voiced Mom in the 2019 Oscar-winning animated short film “Hair Love.”
Issa Rae launched the record label Raedio in 2019, further diversifying her income streams and solidifying her presence as a media mogul.
Issa Rae’s WarnerMedia/HBO Deal
In 2021, Issa Rae’s production company, Hoorae, secured a five-year “eight-figure” deal with WarnerMedia. While the exact financial terms were not disclosed, it’s speculated that the deal is similar in scope to Mindy Kaling’s 5-year, $50 million deal with Warner Brothers in 2019. This significant agreement provides Hoorae with substantial resources to develop and produce new content for WarnerMedia platforms, further bolstering Issa Rae’s net worth and influence in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Education
Jo-Issa Rae Diop, born on January 12, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, began her journey to success early in life. Growing up in Potomac, Maryland, and later returning to Los Angeles, she attended King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in African and African-American Studies from Stanford University in 2007. During her time at Stanford, she actively engaged in creative pursuits, writing and directing stage plays, creating music videos, and launching the satirical web series “Dorm Diaries.”
While a Stanford student, Issa Rae met Tracy Oliver, who later starred on and co-produced “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.” Post-graduation, Rae received a theater fellowship at New York City’s Public Theater, where she and Oliver attended courses at the New York Film Academy. The popularity of “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” in 2011 led her to abandon plans for law school or business school, focusing instead on her burgeoning entertainment career. This pivotal decision ultimately contributed to her significant net worth.
Career Breakthrough and Notable Projects
The debut of “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” on YouTube in 2011 marked a turning point in Issa Rae’s career. The series quickly went viral, attracting media attention and a dedicated fan base. In 2014, Issa Rae expanded her filmography by contributing to short films like “Black Twitter Screening” (writer) and “Hard Times” and “Protect and Serve” (producer). The following year, in 2015, she made her feature film debut in “A Bitter Lime” and produced “Killing Lazarus.”
In 2016, Issa Rae’s career reached new heights when she began starring in “Insecure”. This HBO series, which she co-created, aired 44 episodes over five seasons, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. “Insecure” secured 14 Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, solidifying Issa Rae’s status as a major force in television. In 2018, the Peabody Awards honored “Insecure” for its authentic portrayal of young, black individuals in modern society. The American Film Institute recognized the series as one of the Top 10 Television Programs in 2017.
Film Roles and Voice Acting
In 2018, Issa Rae appeared in the drama “The Hate U Give”, playing the character of April Ofrah. The film is based on the 2017 Angie Thomas novel of the same name. During the same year, Issa Rae lent her voice to two episodes of the Netflix animated series “BoJack Horseman.”
Issa Rae continued to expand her film resume in 2019 by starring in the comedy “Little”, alongside Regina Hall (her co-star in “The Hate U Give”) and Marsai Martin from “Black-ish”. She also began producing and appearing on HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” in 2019.
In 2020, Issa Rae co-starred in “The Photograph” with Lakeith Stanfield and in “The Lovebirds” with Kumail Nanjiani. She also hosted “Saturday Night Live”, guest-starred on “Sesame Street” and “#blackAF”, and starred in the HBO movie “Coastal Elites”.
In 2022, she appeared in the film “Vengeance”, which was written and directed by B. J. Novak. Moreover, she was cast in Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” film in April 2022.
In June 2021, it was announced that Issa Rae would be voicing Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman in the computer-animated Marvel film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
Business Ventures
Beyond her success in television and film, Issa Rae has demonstrated her entrepreneurial acumen through various business ventures. In 2019, she launched Raedio, a record label and audio content company. Raedio focuses on providing opportunities for independent artists and creating soundtracks for film and television projects. This venture allows Issa Rae to further diversify her income streams and contribute to the creative ecosystem.
Real Estate Investment
Issa Rae owns a home in South L.A., reflecting her commitment to her community. In February 2022, she offered her home for rent on Airbnb during Valentine’s Day weekend at a rate of $56 per night. This initiative was designed to provide guests with an immersive experience of the local culture and businesses that have influenced her storytelling. The listing emphasized her desire to showcase the rich history and contributions of Black Los Angeles.
Awards and Nominations
Issa Rae has received numerous accolades for her work, including seven Primetime Emmy nominations. These nominations include Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Insecure” (2018, 2020, and 2022), Outstanding Comedy Series for “Insecure” (2020), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (2021), and Outstanding Variety Sketch Series for “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (2020 and 2021).
“Insecure” has also earned Issa Rae awards from various organizations, including the BET Awards (Best Actress), Black Reel Awards for Television (Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series), Gracie Allen Awards (Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy or Musical), NAACP Image Awards (Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series), NAMIC Vision Awards (Best Performance – Comedy), Pena de Prata (Best Actress in a Comedy Series and Best Comedy Series), and Satellite Awards (Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical).
Issa Rae was honored with the Visionary Award at the 2022 PGA Awards and received the Vanguard Award at the 2017 “Essence” Black Women In Hollywood event. In 2018, “Giants,” a web series from her production company, was named Best Drama Series at The Streamy Awards, and she won a Webby Award for Video Person of the Year in 2019. In 2020, Issa earned People’s Choice Award nominations for Favorite Drama Movie Star for “The Photograph” and Favorite Female Movie Star and Favorite Comedy Movie Star for “The Lovebirds.” She has also received a Black Reel Award for Television nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress, Comedy Series for “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (2020) and NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film) for “BoJack Horseman” (2019), Outstanding Guest Performance for “Saturday Night Live” (2021), and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for “The Photograph” (2021).
Personal Life
Issa Rae married businessman Louis Diame in July 2021 in France. She first publicly wore her engagement ring on the cover of the April 2019 issue of “Essence” magazine.
Activism
Issa Rae has been vocal about police brutality against African-Americans. After the 2016 shooting of Alton Sterling, she raised $700,000 to help his children attend college. She is also an advocate for women’s rights and civil rights and has worked with organizations such as Black Lives Matter and the ACLU.
