Net Worth Ranker
What Is Danny Carey’s Net Worth?
Danny Carey, the celebrated drummer of the Grammy Award-winning metal band Tool, has amassed a considerable fortune throughout his career. As of 2025, Danny Carey’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million. This substantial wealth is primarily attributed to his role in Tool, but also stems from various side projects and collaborations.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Daniel Edwin Carey on May 10, 1961, in Lawrence, Kansas, Danny Carey’s musical journey began early. He started experimenting with rhythm at a young age, initially playing on pots and pans before receiving his first drum set at the age of 12. During his high school years, Carey balanced his passion for music with sports, playing in the school jazz band and excelling in basketball. He even considered a career in basketball but chose to pursue music after receiving a music scholarship from the University of Missouri. After university, Carey relocated to Los Angeles in 1986 to dedicate himself fully to a music career. He secured studio drumming gigs, working with artists like Carole King and playing with Pygmy Love Circus. By 1990, his path intersected with Maynard James Keenan and Adam Jones, leading to the formation of Tool. Carey’s powerful and intricate drumming soon became a defining element of Tool’s signature sound.
Tool: Albums, Awards, and Commercial Success
Danny Carey’s fame and fortune are intrinsically linked to Tool’s success. Tool’s debut album, “Undertow,” was released in 1993 and quickly achieved platinum status within a year. The band’s follow-up album, “Ænima,” released in 1996, solidified their position in the music industry, winning a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1998. “Ænima” was certified 3x Platinum and reached #1 in New Zealand and #2 in the United States, selling over 3,385,000 copies. “Lateralus,” released in 2001, achieved 2x Platinum certification and topped charts in the US, Australia, and Canada, with sales exceeding 3,470,000 copies. In 2006, Tool released “10,000 Days,” which also reached #1 in the US, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, selling over 2,442,500 copies. After a 13-year gap, Tool released “Fear Inoculum” in August 2019, which quickly rose to the top of the charts and was the highest-selling rock album of 2019. The album sold 388,000 copies in the US and achieved gold status, with over 537,000 copies sold. As of 2023, Tool has sold over 14 million albums worldwide. Prior to the release of “Fear Inoculum,” the band had already sold more than 13 million albums in the U.S. alone.
Side Projects and Collaborations
Beyond his work with Tool, Danny Carey has engaged in various side projects and collaborations, showcasing his musical versatility and expanding his income streams. He formed the supergroup Legend of the Seagullmen with Brent Hinds of Mastodon and director Jimmy Hayward. He also plays in Volto!, a jazz fusion group that performs regularly in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, Carey has contributed to albums by artists such as Carole King, the Melvins, Green Jellÿ, Skinny Puppy, Lusk, Adrian Belew, Zaum, Collide, Meat Puppets and Pigface. In 2020, Carey collaborated with Daniel Romano on a 22-minute progressive rock track. In March 2025, he collaborated with Primus and covered King Crimson with Umphrey’s McGee at Tool Live in the Sand.
Real Estate Investments
Danny Carey has made significant investments in real estate, particularly in the Malibu area. In December 2016, Carey purchased Emilio Estevez’s Malibu vineyard for $6.35 million. The property, located in the luxurious Point Dume neighborhood, features a 3,731 square-foot main house with four bedrooms, a detached guesthouse, and a vineyard. Estevez had bought the house in the early 2000s for $2.2 million and initially listed it for $9.995 million. Carey also owns another home in Los Angeles, which he bought in 1998 for $695,000. In 2008, he acquired the property next door for $2.2 million with plans to create a compound, but these plans were later abandoned, and the second home was sold at a loss.
Personal Life and Interests
Danny Carey’s interests extend beyond music and real estate. He is known for his fascination with occult subjects and metaphysics, themes that often find their way into his drumming and Tool’s music. He is also a collector of wine and classic cars, reflecting his diverse hobbies. Carey’s lifestyle reflects his love for music and art, with a personal collection of rare drums and percussion instruments. He is also known for his fascination with sacred geometry and the occult, which influences his personal and professional pursuits. Carey is a self-taught programmer who developed MIDI interfaces for his drumming rig, incorporating electronics into his acoustic drum setup. He is a collector of rare and vintage drums, including a Paiste gong drum and a unique drum kit with designs based on sacred geometry.
