Net Worth Ranker
What Is Chris Rock’s Net Worth?
Chris Rock, a prominent figure in American comedy, acting, writing, producing, and directing, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $60 million. However, this figure could have been significantly higher if not for a substantial financial settlement in his divorce from Malaak Compton, his wife of 20 years, finalized in 2016. Reports suggest that the settlement cost Rock as much as $40 million.
Chris Rock’s Earnings and Career Highlights
Rock’s career spans over four decades, during which he has become one of the highest-paid comedians in the world. Touring consistently places him among the top earners in comedy. For instance, between June 2016 and June 2017, his earnings reached approximately $60 million, making him the highest-paid comedian globally during that period. While his earnings decreased to $30 million between June 2017 and June 2018, his income remains substantial due to his stand-up specials, acting roles, and production ventures.
A significant boost to his income came from a Netflix deal announced on October 30, 2016, which included two stand-up specials for a total of $40 million ($20 million per special). The first special, “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” premiered on February 14, 2018, marking his return to concert specials after a decade. On March 4, 2023, Rock released “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” a live stand-up special streamed worldwide from Baltimore.
His film career has also contributed significantly to his earnings. Rock voiced Marty the Zebra in the “Madagascar” film series, with each movie achieving commercial success:
- “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” (2012) – $746 million worldwide gross
- “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (2008) – $603 million worldwide gross
- “Madagascar” (2005) – $532 million worldwide gross
Additionally, he co-wrote and starred in the “Grown Ups” movies with Adam Sandler, which garnered significant box office success:
- “Grown Ups” (2010) – $271 million worldwide gross
- “Grown Ups 2” (2013) – $247 million worldwide gross
Rock also created and produced “Everybody Hates Chris,” a semi-autobiographical sitcom that ran for 88 episodes between 2005 and 2009. This project, loosely based on his teenage experiences, was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy) in 2006, a People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Television Comedy in 2006, and two Emmy Awards for costuming and cinematography in the same year.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Christopher Julius Rock was born on February 7, 1965, in Andrews, South Carolina. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Brooklyn, New York, eventually settling in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. During his formative years, Rock was bused to predominantly white schools in Brooklyn, where he faced bullying and harassment. As the situation worsened, he dropped out of high school but later obtained his GED while working in fast-food restaurants.
Rock’s foray into stand-up comedy began in 1984 at Catch a Rising Star in New York City. Over time, he gained recognition and secured minor roles, including an appearance in the TV series “Miami Vice.” It was during this period that Eddie Murphy noticed Rock’s performance at a nightclub and offered mentorship, leading to Rock’s first film role in “Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987).
Saturday Night Live and Rise to Fame
In 1990, Rock joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), where he, along with Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, became known as the “Bad Boys of SNL.” His first comedy album, “Born Suspect,” was released in 1991. That same year, he received acclaim for his portrayal of an addict in the film “New Jack City.”
Rock departed from SNL two years later and appeared on “In Living Color,” a predominantly African-American sketch show, but his tenure lasted only six episodes due to the show’s cancellation. Subsequently, Rock wrote and starred in the comedy “CB4,” which had a production budget of $6 million and grossed $18 million.
His first HBO special, “Big Ass Jokes,” premiered in 1994, but it was the 1996 follow-up, “Bring the Pain,” that earned him two Emmy Awards and established him as one of America’s top comedians. He also gained popularity as a commentator for “Politically Incorrect” on Comedy Central during the 1996 United States Presidential Elections, earning another Emmy nomination.
His HBO comedy specials “Bigger & Blacker” (1999) and “Never Scared” (2004) were met with critical acclaim, with Time and Entertainment Weekly dubbing him “the funniest man in America.” HBO also aired “The Chris Rock Show,” where he interviewed celebrities and politicians and won an Emmy for writing. His comedy albums “Roll with the New,” “Bigger & Blacker,” and “Never Scared” all won Grammy Awards.
Rock’s fifth HBO special, “Kill the Messenger,” was released in September 2008 and earned him another Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety or music program.
Film Career and Directorial Ventures
The success of Rock’s comedy career opened doors for leading roles in films such as “Down to Earth” (2001), “Bad Company” (2002), “The Longest Yard” (2005), “Death at a Funeral” (2010), “Grown Ups” (2010), and “2 Days in New York” (2012). He also voiced Marty the Zebra in the “Madagascar” animated film franchise. After playing Milton King in 2022’s “Amsterdam,” Rock is set to portray Roy Wilkins in the upcoming biographical drama “Rustin.”
In addition to acting, Rock has also worked as a writer and director. He wrote, directed, and starred in the films “Head of State” (2003), “I Think I Love My Wife” (2007), and “Top Five” (2014), which received critical acclaim. He also released a documentary about the perceptions and history of African American women’s hairstyles in 2009 titled “Good Hair.”
Other Ventures and Investments
Rock has also served as a television producer, most notably as the executive producer and narrator of the comedy series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which aired on UPN and The CW from 2005 to 2009. The show was loosely based on Rock’s experiences as a teenager.
Drawing on his extensive comedy experience, Rock hosted the 77th Academy Awards in 2005 and the 88th Academy Awards in 2016.
In August 2019, Rock invested in Lowell Herb Co., a cannabis brand in California, acknowledging his status as a “dedicated cannabis consumer.”
Personal Life and Real Estate
Rock married Malaak Compton-Rock on November 23, 1996, and the couple resided in New Jersey with their two daughters, born in 2002 and 2004. In December 2014, Rock announced that he was filing for divorce, citing infidelity and a porn addiction. The divorce was finalized in 2016, with Rock reportedly paying his ex-wife approximately $40 million in real estate and liquid assets.
In July 2022, reports surfaced that Rock had begun dating actress, screenwriter, and director Lake Bell.
In 1994, while working on SNL, Rock purchased a home in Brooklyn, New York. After two years, he moved to the suburbs with Malaak and rented the Brooklyn property for $8,000 per month until 2017, when he listed it for $3.25 million. Following the divorce, Malaak continued to live in the family’s 13,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, which they acquired in 2001 for $3 million.
Details regarding specific personal investments, assets like private jets, or luxury cars are not publicly available.
