Net Worth Ranker
What Was David Brenner’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on March 15, 2014, David Brenner, the accomplished American comedian, author, actor, director, and producer, had a net worth of $4 million. This valuation encompassed earnings from his extensive career in comedy, television, film, and publishing.
David Brenner’s Career and Earnings
David Brenner’s career was multifaceted, contributing to his $4 million net worth. He achieved significant recognition through his stand-up comedy, with four HBO specials to his name, including “David Brenner: Back with a Vengeance!” in 2000, which he also produced. Further solidifying his presence in the comedy scene, he released two comedy albums: “Excuse Me, Are You Reading That Paper?” in 1983, and “Leave ‘Em Laughing” in 2009.
Prior to his foray into comedy, Brenner excelled in television documentaries, having written, produced, or directed over 100 documentaries. His work in this field earned him an Emmy Award, marking a significant achievement early in his career.
Brenner made his television debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1971, quickly becoming a fixture on the show. He made over 150 appearances, holding the record for the most frequent guest. His presence on late-night television significantly boosted his visibility and contributed to his growing net worth.
In addition to his stand-up and television work, Brenner also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as “Worth Winning” (1989) and “Chickboxin’ Underground” (1999). He also made guest appearances on television series like “Arli$$” (2001) and “Modern Family” (2010). These roles, while not as central to his career as his comedy, added to his overall income and fame.
Comedy Central recognized Brenner’s contributions to comedy by ranking him #53 on its 2004 list of the “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.” This recognition further cemented his legacy and likely had a positive impact on his earning potential.
Brenner also authored several books, starting with “Soft Pretzels With Mustard” in 1983. He followed this with “Revenge is the Best Exercise” in 1984, “Nobody Ever Sees You Eat Tuna Fish” in 1986, “If God Wanted Us to Travel…” in 1990, and “I Think There’s a Terrorist in My Soup: How to Survive Personal and World Problems with Laughter—Seriously” in 2003. These books added another stream of income to his portfolio.
As a radio host, Brenner further expanded his reach and income sources. His induction into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003 acknowledged his contributions to the broadcasting industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born David Norris Brenner on February 4, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, David’s early life provided the foundation for his diverse career. His parents were Jewish, and his father, Louis, initially pursued a career as a vaudeville comedian, dancer, and singer under the stage name Lou Murphy. Louis’s decision to leave the entertainment industry to appease his father, a rabbi who disapproved of working on the Sabbath, highlights the family’s values and early influences on David. Later in life, David often treated his parents to cruises, and they both passed away on the Queen Elizabeth 2, two years apart, marking a poignant chapter in his family history.
During his high school years, David’s comedic talent was evident, as he was voted “Class Comedian” and consistently elected class president. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army for two years, working as a cryptographer for the 595th Signal Corps in Germany. This experience broadened his horizons and provided him with valuable skills that would later contribute to his success.
Following his military service, Brenner pursued higher education at Temple University, where he majored in mass communication and graduated with honors. This academic background equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the media industry, setting the stage for his early career in television documentaries.
Brenner’s career began with writing, producing, or directing 115 TV documentaries. He held leadership positions in documentary units at Metromedia and Westinghouse Broadcasting, earning over two dozen awards, including an Emmy. His first paid comedy performance took place at The Improv in mid-1969, leading to frequent appearances at Greenwich Village clubs.
His success on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” where he was the most frequent guest and guest-hosted 75 times, significantly boosted his career. He also appeared on numerous other shows, including “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Dean Martin Comedy World,” “American Bandstand,” “The Midnight Special,” “The Merv Griffin Show,” “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and “Comics Unleashed.” In 1983, he released his debut comedy album, “Excuse Me, Are You Reading That Paper?” and his first book, “Soft Pretzels With Mustard.”
Additional Ventures and Personal Life
In 1976, Brenner was cast as the lead in the NBC sitcom “Snip,” inspired by the 1975 film “Shampoo.” However, the network shelved the series due to concerns about a gay character, which Brenner criticized, stating the network was afraid to have a gay person on television. The show’s cancellation was a setback, but Brenner continued to pursue other opportunities.
In 1986, Brenner hosted “Nightlife,” a syndicated late-night talk show that lasted one season. From 1994 to 1996, he hosted a daytime talk-radio show on the Mutual Broadcasting System. He had previously hosted the 1985 syndicated weekly radio program “David Brenner Live.” These ventures into hosting and radio expanded his career beyond stand-up comedy.
The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia honored Brenner as their Person of the Year in 1984 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2003. These accolades recognized his significant contributions to broadcasting.
Brenner also made appearances in a 2001 episode of HBO’s “Arli$$” and a 2010 episode of ABC’s “Modern Family.” He appeared in the documentaries “When Stand-Up Comics Ruled the World” (2004), “The Aristocrats” (2005), and “When Jews Were Funny” (2013). These roles and appearances added to his overall exposure and income.
David’s personal life included several marriages and children. He was married to Geraldine Leno from June 1964 to December 1967. He had a son, Cole, with Charisse Brody in the 1980s, and they were involved in a long custody battle, which Brenner won in 1992. To maintain custody, Brenner reduced his comedy shows to avoid being considered an absentee father.
Brenner married Elizabeth Slater on February 19, 2000, during the filming of his “Back with a Vengeance!” HBO special. They had two sons, Slade (born 1995) and Wyatt (born 1998), before divorcing in 2003. He later won custody of his sons after two custody battles. In 2005, Brenner became engaged to Tai Babilonia, but they did not marry. He married Ruth Davey on March 7, 2011, and they remained together until his death in March 2014.
David Brenner’s final wishes, as detailed in his will, reflected his comedic spirit. He requested a small stone on his grave with the words “Here lies David Brenner. He lived, he died, but MAN DID HE LIVE!” and “If this is supposed to be a joke — I don’t get it.” He left $500,000 to fashion designer Kenneth Cole and the remainder of his estate to his children. He also requested to be buried in New York City and gave permission for comedians to use any funny lines they thought of during the funeral in their acts.
In summary, David Brenner’s $4 million net worth was the result of a successful and diverse career encompassing stand-up comedy, television, film, writing, and radio. His talent, hard work, and comedic genius made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
