Net Worth Ranker
What Is D.L. Hughley’s Net Worth?
Darryl Lynn Hughley, known professionally as D.L. Hughley, has cultivated a multifaceted career spanning stand-up comedy, acting, radio hosting, and authorship. His estimated net worth stands at $10 million as of 2025, a testament to his diverse income streams and sustained presence in the entertainment industry. D.L. Hughley’s net worth is primarily composed of earnings from his various entertainment ventures over several decades.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on March 6, 1963, in Portsmouth, Virginia, D.L. Hughley’s early life presented a stark contrast to his later success. His family relocated to South Central Los Angeles shortly after his birth, where he navigated the challenges of a turbulent upbringing. During his teenage years, Hughley became involved with the street gang The Bloods. He was expelled from San Pedro High School. However, he made a pivotal decision to distance himself from gang life, eventually obtaining his GED. He started working for the “Los Angeles Times.” His early experiences profoundly shaped his comedic perspective and provided him with a wealth of material that he would later draw upon in his stand-up routines. Hughley’s early career marked his entry into the entertainment arena, laying the groundwork for his subsequent rise to prominence.
Stand-Up Comedy and Television Career
D.L. Hughley’s career gained momentum in 1992 when he became the host of BET’s “ComicView.” Hosting the show until 1993. This role exposed him to a broader audience and allowed him to hone his comedic timing and stage presence. In 1998, Hughley launched “The Hughleys,” a television show where he starred, wrote, and produced. “The Hughleys” aired for four seasons, totaling 89 episodes, on ABC and UPN. Hughley briefly hosted a talk show for Comedy Central called “Weekends at the D.L.,” and he released a comedy album in 2005. D.L. appeared in the movie “Scary Movie 3” and voiced the Gadgetmobile in “Inspector Gadget,” as well as “Brer Fox in “The Adventures of Brer Rabbit.” He has appeared in episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Scrubs” (as Turk’s Brother), “Hawaii Five-O,” “Glory Daze,” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” Hughley acted as a special guest moderator of ABC’s “The View” in June 2010. He also guest-hosted “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Hughley was chosen to host and write a comedy news show on CNN that covered global happenings in politics, pop culture, entertainment, and sports. The show was titled “D.L. Hughley Breaks the News” and premiered in October 2008. However, in March 2009, after just five months, Hughley chose to end the show, citing a desire to move back to Los Angeles to be closer to his family. He continued working with CNN as an L.A.-based contributor for the network. In 2013, Hughley appeared on the 16th season of “Dancing with the Stars.” He was paired with Cheryl Burke. In March 2019, he began hosting the talk show “The D.L. Hughley Show” on TV One. His involvement in “The Original Kings of Comedy” alongside Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac further solidified his status as a leading figure in the comedy world. The success of “The Original Kings of Comedy” tour and subsequent film release significantly contributed to D.L. Hughley’s net worth through ticket sales, merchandise, and royalties.
Radio Hosting and Authorship
In 2009, he started a radio show, “The D.L. Hughley Morning Show,” on station WRKS in New York City. After going up directly against fellow King of Comedy Steve Harvey’s morning show, Hughley’s show was later canceled. In August 2010, Kiss FM dropped the syndicated program from its schedule, and D.L. moved on. It was announced on August 12, 2013, that REACH Media had finalized a deal with Hughley to host a new nationally syndicated afternoon drive show called “The D.L. Hughley Show.” Hughley has authored four books: “I Want You to Shut the F#ck Up: How the Audacity of Dopes is Ruining America” was published in July 2012. His second book, “Black Man, White House: An Oral History of the Obama Years” was published in June 2017. In June 2018, he released “How Not to Get Shot: And Other Advice from White People.” On June 30, 2020, Hughley released “Surrender, White People!: Our Unconditional Terms for Peace.” Revenue from book sales, which may be around tens of thousands of dollars per title depending on sales volume, contributed to D.L. Hughley’s net worth. While specific sales figures for his books are not publicly available, the combined income from radio hosting and book royalties adds to his overall financial portfolio.
Personal Life and Additional Ventures
Hughley has been married to LaDonna Hughley since February 1986. They have three children, Ryan, Tyler, and Kyle. Kyle was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome as a child, something Hughley has discussed extensively. In November 2017, Hughley gave an interview on Angela Yee’s podcast, “Lipservice,” in which he detailed having an affair early in his marriage. Unknowingly, he conceived a child with his extramarital lover. Tragically, the infant was shaken to death by his mother’s boyfriend at just nine months old. LaDonna learned of the tragedy and, deeply saddened and affected by the situation, began giving his ex-lover financial help. LaDonna did this completely unbeknownst to D.L., and she did not disclose it to him for many years. On June 19, 2020, Hughley collapsed while performing at a club in Nashville. He later tested positive for COVID-19. He had been asymptomatic, and subsequently, his son and some of his radio show crew also tested positive for COVID. D.L. Hughley’s ventures in the entertainment industry have been pivotal in accumulating his $10 million net worth.
