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What Is Billy Bush’s Net Worth?
Billy Bush, an American radio and television personality, has accumulated a net worth of $16 million. His career, marked by highs and lows, includes prominent roles at “Access Hollywood” and NBC’s “Today Show,” as well as hosting “Extra.” Bush’s financial standing reflects a career spanning radio, television, and digital media.
Billy Bush’s Salary and Financial Matters
Bush’s annual salary at “Extra” is $3 million. Following his departure from NBC amidst controversy in 2016, initial reports suggested a potential $10 million exit package. However, these rumors were publicly refuted by Bush’s legal representation. His lawyer clarified that a settlement of that magnitude had not been reached and that negotiations with NBC were ongoing. The ultimate resolution of those negotiations remains undisclosed, but it undeniably impacted his financial trajectory at that time.
In October 2016, Bush’s salary at “The Today Show” was $3 million. The controversy surrounding the “Access Hollywood” tape led to his suspension on October 9, 2016, and subsequent termination on October 17, 2016, cutting short his tenure and income from the show.
Early Life and Education
Born William Hall Bush on October 13, 1971, in Manhattan, New York, Billy Bush is the son of Josephine and Jonathan Bush. His older brother is Jonathan S. Bush, and his uncle was former President George H.W. Bush. Billy attended St. Bernard’s School in Manhattan for middle school and St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island, for high school. He graduated from Colby College in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies and government. During his time at Colby College, Bush was a four-year letterman and a two-time co-captain of the Colby Mules’ men’s lacrosse team, demonstrating his commitment and leadership skills.
Career Highlights
Billy Bush’s career began in radio, hosting the afternoon show on WLKZ-FM in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he hosted the midday show on WARW-FM. In 1997, he hosted “Billy Bush and the Bush League,” a morning show in Washington, D.C. His move to television came in 2001 with “Extra,” leading to a role at “Access Hollywood” in 2003. In January 2003, he hosted a short-lived NBC prime-time version of “Let’s Make a Deal.” He also worked as a correspondent for WNBC-TV’s “Today in New York” morning show.
Bush’s career took off when he joined “Access Hollywood” as a correspondent in 2003, becoming a co-anchor in 2004. He gained recognition for his interviewing style and willingness to engage with celebrities in a playful manner. He covered major events, including the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry. Billy also took on the role as host for “Access Hollywood’s” coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Following numerous specials, Bush co-hosted the Broadway reality series “Grease: You’re the One That I Want” in 2007. The next year, Billy stood in for Meredith Viera for a week as the host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” from April 21st to 25th.
In 2008, Bush launched “The Billy Bush (radio) Show,” a nightly talk radio and entertainment interview show syndicated by Westwood One. The show aired from KBIG in Los Angeles and featured celebrity guests and listener calls. Bush and “Access Hollywood” executive producer Rob Silverstein served as the show’s executive producers. Billy continued to expand his presence on TV and became a co-host on daytime’s “Access Hollywood Live” in 2010 alongside co-host Kit Hoover. During this time, Bush and Hoover traveled together to the UK to cover for NBC Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton. During the 2016 Summer Olympics, Bush was the first reporter to interview American Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte after the athlete claimed he was robbed at gunpoint in the middle of the night with three other competitors in Rio de Janeiro.
Bush’s tenure at “Access Hollywood” ended in 2016 when he became a co-host of the third hour of NBC’s “The Today Show.” However, this role was short-lived due to the emergence of the controversial “Access Hollywood” tape. After a period away from television, he returned in 2019 as the host of “Extra,” replacing Mario Lopez. His return marked a significant step in rebuilding his career. Telepictures announced they had hired Bush to be the host of “Extra,” at the start of the 26th season on September 9, 2019.
Beyond hosting, Bush had minor roles in film and television, including an appearance in the 2010 film “Furry Vengeance” and a small role in the 2014 Disney film “Big Hero 6.” He has also made guest appearances on several TV shows, including “30 Rock.”
Donald Trump Controversy and Career Impact
In October 2016, the surfacing of a 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape had a significant impact on Billy Bush’s career. The tape contained lewd comments made by Bush and Donald Trump, then a presidential candidate, about women. The comments, captured during the taping of an “Access Hollywood” episode at NBC Studios in September 2005, led to widespread condemnation and scrutiny of Bush’s role in the conversation.
Specifically, some of the comments were about Nancy O’Dell, who was Billy’s “Access Hollywood” co-host at the time. Other comments were directed at a soap star. Bush is heard laughing about Trump’s failed efforts to seduce a married woman. When the news of the footage first broke, Billy was at JFK Airport waiting to take off for Los Angeles. By the time he arrived at LAX, a horde of paparazzi had gathered at the airport and at his home in Los Angeles, where they remained for more than a week.
As a result of the controversy, Bush was suspended from “The Today Show” on October 9, 2016, and subsequently fired on October 17, 2016. His salary at the time was $3 million. Despite attempts to save his job, the fallout from the tape proved insurmountable, leading to his departure from NBC. The incident highlights the potential financial and professional consequences of public controversies, particularly in the media industry.
In November 2017, “The New York Times” reported that Trump had privately told people, including a sitting senator, that the voice on the “Access Hollywood” tape was not his. Bush quickly published an op-ed in the paper on December 3rd, confirming that the voice in the tape did indeed belong to the president.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Billy Bush married Sydney Davis in April 1998. The couple has three daughters. They announced they were separating in September 2016. On July 15, 2018, they announced their divorce due to irreconcilable differences had been finalized.
In 2017, Billy sold a townhouse in New York City for $8 million. He had purchased the property in 2015 for $8.8 million, resulting in a loss on the sale. In April 2019, Billy listed his longtime primary residence in Encino, California, for $5.395 million. He bought the 5,400-square-foot house in 2004 for $3.05 million. Billy removed the listing in July 2020.
