Net Worth Ranker
What Is Clifton Powell’s Net Worth?
Clifton Powell, a prominent American actor and comedian, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $400,000. This financial standing is primarily a result of his extensive work in the entertainment industry, spanning several decades and encompassing roles in film, television, and voice-over projects.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on March 16, 1956, in Washington, D.C., Clifton Powell spent his formative years in the Mayfair Mansions neighborhood located in the northeastern part of the city. His early exposure to the arts came through his attendance at the Duke Ellington School of Arts, a specialized high school known for nurturing young talent in various artistic disciplines. Specific details regarding his family’s financial background or early sources of income are not publicly available. However, his choice to attend a school focused on the arts suggests an early interest and aptitude for performance. He began his acting career in the 1980s, with an appearance in the television film “Ephraim McDowell’s Kentucky Ride” in 1981. This initial role marked his entry into the professional acting world, setting the stage for his subsequent career.
Film Career Highlights
Clifton Powell’s film career gained momentum throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with roles in a variety of films that contributed to his net worth. He played in “House Party,” “Heat Wave,” “Deep Cover,” “Conflict of Interest,” “Nowhere to Hide,” “Dead Presidents,” “Riot,” and “Buffalo Soldiers.” His role as Pinky in the 2000 comedy film “Next Friday” and its 2002 sequel, “Friday After Next”, is probably his best known role, earning him significant recognition and likely contributing to his income through salary and potential residuals. In 2004, he portrayed Jeff Brown in the movie “Ray,” where his performance earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture and likely boosted his profile and future earning potential. Powell’s earlier work includes roles in the Indie thriller “Chain Letter” and the 1993 movie “Menace II Society,” adding to his acting portfolio. He also lent his voice to the 2004 video game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” where he brought his talents to a different medium, adding to his income. He played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1999 film, “Selma, Lord, Selma.” These films increased his visibility and net worth over time. Details about the specific financial terms of his contracts for these films, such as upfront salaries, back-end profit participation, or residual payments, are not publicly available.
Television Career
Powell’s television career is another important factor contributing to his $400,000 net worth. Beginning in the 1990s, he appeared in episodes of shows like “Cop Rock,” “Gabriel’s Fire,” “Matlock,” “Martin,” and “Equal Justice.” From 1992 to 1994, he had a recurring role on the show “Roc,” providing him with stable work and income. He also appeared in episodes of popular shows like “Murder She Wrote,” “NYPD Blue,” and “South Central.” His role in the series “Ryan Caulfield: Year One” in 1999 provided him with a steady income stream. In the 2000s, he continued his television work with appearances in “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Moesha,” “The Practice,” “House,” “Eve,” and “Cold Case.” A recurring role in “Army Wives” from 2009 to 2010 further contributed to his earnings. His work in “Murder in the First,” “Black Jesus,” and “Mann & Wife” added to his net worth. From 2016 to 2022, he played Rex Fisher in the series “Saints & Sinners,” a role that likely provided him with consistent income for several years. While the exact salary details for each of these television roles are not publicly known, it is reasonable to assume that his consistent work in television contributed significantly to his overall net worth.
Earnings and Financial Details
Determining Clifton Powell’s exact annual income or financial details with precision is challenging due to the private nature of actors’ contracts and financial arrangements. The standard SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) rates serve as a baseline for actors’ pay, but established actors like Powell can often negotiate higher rates, especially for prominent roles or projects with larger budgets. For instance, a supporting role in a major studio film could command a salary ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the actor’s experience, screen time, and the film’s overall budget. Similarly, television roles can vary widely in pay, from a few thousand dollars for a guest appearance to tens of thousands per episode for a recurring or main cast role. Considering Powell’s extensive filmography and television appearances, it’s likely that his income has fluctuated over the years depending on the number and prominence of the roles he secured. The $400,000 net worth figure suggests a consistent, but not extravagant, level of earnings over his career. Details on specific earnings from “Next Friday,” “Friday After Next,” or “Ray” are not publicly available, but these were likely significant income events in their respective years. The lack of publicly available information about real estate holdings, investments, or other assets makes it difficult to provide a more detailed breakdown of his net worth composition.
Notable Roles and Accolades
Clifton Powell has delivered many memorable performances that have influenced his net worth and reputation in the entertainment industry. His role as Pinky in “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next” is perhaps his most widely recognized, showcasing his comedic timing and ability to connect with audiences. Beyond comedy, his portrayal of Jeff Brown in “Ray” earned him critical acclaim, including an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. He also played Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma, Lord, Selma.” His role in “Dead Presidents” demonstrates his versatility and contributed to his professional reputation. While direct financial figures associated with these specific roles are not publicly available, it’s clear that his consistent work in both comedic and dramatic roles has played a crucial role in building his career and contributing to his overall net worth. Details about potential bonuses or profit-sharing arrangements related to the success of these films are not publicly known.
Personal Life and Legal Matters
Clifton Powell is married to Kimberly Powell, and they have two children: Mary and Clifton Powell Jr. His son, Clifton Powell Jr., is a writer and director in Hollywood. In 2022, news outlets reported that Clifton Jr. was dating Sasha Obama, daughter of former president Barack Obama. In 2011, Kiayante Myers accused Powell of raping her in a hotel room, which led to a complaint in federal court. The police were unable to proceed with the case due to lack of evidence. In 2017, a federal judge found him innocent, and the case was dismissed. These details are from news outlets.
