Net Worth Ranker
What Is Leslie Jones’ Net Worth?
Leslie Jones, a prominent figure in American comedy, acting, and writing, has amassed a net worth of $7 million. This financial standing reflects her successful career spanning various entertainment platforms, including television, film, and stand-up comedy. Her journey to becoming a well-known personality began with significant roles on “Saturday Night Live” and has since expanded to include numerous film appearances and hosting duties.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Annette Jones on September 7, 1967, in Memphis, Tennessee, Leslie’s early life involved frequent relocations due to her father’s service in the U.S. Army. Eventually, her family settled in Los Angeles, where her father secured a position as an electronics engineer at radio station KJLH, owned by Stevie Wonder. Leslie attended high school in Lynwood, California, and her athletic build led her to a basketball scholarship at Chapman University in Orange, California. During her time at Chapman, she also worked as a DJ at the student radio station, KNAB.
In 1986, her basketball coach, Brian Berger, accepted a coaching position at Colorado State University, prompting Jones to transfer. She initially pursued studies in computer science and accounting before deciding on a major in communication. While at Colorado State, in 1987, a friend secretly entered her into a comedy contest, which she won, earning her the title of “Funniest Person on Campus.” The early experiences of participating in a comedy contest shaped the path of her career.
After this recognition, Leslie left Colorado State and returned to Los Angeles. During this time, she held jobs at UPS and Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles, while simultaneously performing at local comedy clubs. Encouraged by fellow comedians Dave Chappelle and Mother Love, she spent two years in New York City refining her comedy skills, which led to an appearance on BET’s “ComicView.” She then returned to Los Angeles, performing at the Comedy Store in West Hollywood, touring with Jamie Foxx, and eventually meeting Chris Rock, who played a pivotal role in her being hired at “Saturday Night Live.”
“Saturday Night Live” and Television Career
Leslie Jones’ breakthrough came with her involvement in “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) from 2014 to 2019. Initially hired as a writer, she quickly transitioned into a featured player, becoming the oldest person at age 47 to join the cast in the show’s history. Her tenure on “SNL” included over 100 episodes, and she received two Primetime Emmy nominations for her performance on the series. These nominations highlight her success and role in popular culture.
The salary structure at “Saturday Night Live” varies based on tenure. During Leslie’s time on the show, first-year cast members earned $3,000 per episode, totaling $63,000 for a season of 21 episodes. By the fifth season, a cast member could earn $15,000 per episode, amounting to $315,000 per season. The most experienced and vital cast members earned $25,000 per episode, or $525,000 per year. It is reasonable to assume Leslie’s salary was towards the mid to higher end as she became a main cast member.
Beyond “SNL,” Leslie’s television career includes hosting the revival of “Supermarket Sweep” on ABC, starting in 2020. In 2021, she secured a recurring role in the HBO Max series “Our Flag Means Death.” She has also become known for live-tweeting the Olympics, which led to NBC inviting her to cover the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Further broadening her reach, she appeared in Allstate Insurance ads with Adam DeVine and hosted the 2017 BET Awards and the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Film Appearances and Stand-Up Specials
Leslie Jones’ film career includes roles in “Top Five” (2014), “Trainwreck” (2015), “Ghostbusters” (2016), and “Coming 2 America” (2021). In “Ghostbusters,” she starred as Patty Tolan, alongside Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon. Despite the negativity surrounding the film, it grossed $229.1 million at the box office.
Her stand-up comedy specials include “Problem Child: Leslie Jones” (2010) and “Leslie Jones: Time Machine” (2020), released on Showtime and Netflix, respectively. She has also lent her voice to the animated films “Sing” (2016) and “The Angry Birds Movie 2” (2019). These various appearances have allowed her to show versatility as a performer.
Awards and Recognition
Leslie Jones has received three Primetime Emmy nominations for “Saturday Night Live”: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2017 and 2018, and Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song “The Upper East Side” in 2019. In 2016, she shared a Women Film Critics Circle Award for Best Female Action Hero for “Ghostbusters” with Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Kate McKinnon. In 2021, Jones won an MTV Movie + TV Award for Best Comedic Performance for “Coming 2 America.”
She earned a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female for “Ghostbusters” in 2017 and Black Reel Awards for Television nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series for “Saturday Night Live” in 2017 and 2019. Leslie has received three Online Film & Television Association Award nominations, Best Female Performance in a Variety Program for “Saturday Night Live” (2017 and 2018) and Best Host or Individual Performance in A Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program for “Supermarket Sweep” (2021). “Saturday Night Live” also earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2018), a People’s Choice Award nomination for Favorite Comedy TV Star (2019), and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) – Series (2015). In 2018, Jones was nominated for a Legionnaires of Laughter Legacy Award for Best Comedy Artist Female, and she received a Leo Award nomination for Best Performance by a Female in a Short Drama for “Does That Make Me a Bad Person?” in 1999. In 2017, Leslie shared a Kids’ Choice Award nomination for #SQUAD with her “Ghostbusters” co-stars. This extensive list of nominations and awards highlights her contributions to both comedy and the broader entertainment industry.
Real Estate Investments
In November 2020, Leslie Jones purchased a 3,860 square foot home in Beverly Hills, California, for $3.875 million. The property includes four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Prior to this purchase, she acquired a nearly 1,100 square foot Manhattan condo for approximately $1.75 million. The acquisition of real estate is part of her investments.
Personal Life
After the release of “Ghostbusters” in July 2016, Leslie faced racist and sexist attacks on Twitter. Following this, she met with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, which led to the platform banning several users, including “Breitbart” editor Milo Yiannopoulos. Leslie addressed the abuse on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” emphasizing that “hate speech and freedom of speech are two different things.”
In August of the same year, she became the victim of a hacking incident in which someone posted images of her driver’s license and passport, along with alleged nude photos and a video tribute to the late Cincinnati Zoo gorilla Harambe on her website. Subsequently, her team took down her website. This triggered an outpouring of support, using the hashtag #LoveForLeslieJ, from fans and celebrities, including Hillary Clinton, Gabourey Sidibe, Ava DuVernay, Ellen DeGeneres, Octavia Spencer, Katy Perry, Anna Kendrick, and Paul Feig, the director of “Ghostbusters.”
