Net Worth Ranker
What Is David Caruso’s Net Worth?
David Caruso, an American actor and producer recognized for his roles in crime dramas, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $35 million. This financial standing reflects his successful career in television and film, spanning several decades.
David Caruso’s Career and Earnings
Caruso’s career took off with roles in the 1980s, appearing in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “First Blood.” He also ventured into television with a role in “Hill Street Blues.” However, he gained wider recognition for his role as Detective John Kelly on “NYPD Blue.” During the first season of “NYPD Blue,” Caruso earned $42,500 per episode. He sought a significant salary increase for the following season, aiming for $100,000 per episode, along with other perks like a 38-foot trailer, Fridays off, an office suite, two Manhattan suites, and 12 first-class plane tickets. When his demands were unmet, he left the show, a decision that impacted his career until “CSI: Miami.” He appeared in 26 episodes of “NYPD Blue,” which continued for 235 episodes without him.
His most defining role came in 2002 with “CSI: Miami,” where he played Lieutenant Horatio Caine. At his peak on “CSI: Miami,” Caruso earned $375,000 per episode, equating to approximately $9 million per season. He also appeared in spin-offs, reprising his role in four of the other “CSI” series. “CSI: Miami” was canceled in 2012, leading to his retirement from acting.
David Caruso’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on January 7, 1956, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, David Stephen Caruso was raised in a Roman Catholic household. After his father left the family when he was two, his mother, a librarian, raised him as a single parent. He attended a Catholic school and graduated from high school in Briarwood in 1974. During his youth, Caruso worked as a cinema usher, watching over 80 movies a week, which ignited his passion for acting.
Caruso’s early film appearances included a brief role in “Getting Wasted” (1980) and a supporting role in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Throughout the 1980s, he continued to secure supporting roles in films such as “First Blood,” “Blue City,” “China Girl,” and “Twins.” His early television work included a role in “Hill Street Blues” and a portrayal of James Brendan Connolly in “The First Olympics: Athens 1896.”
David Caruso’s ’90s Roles and “NYPD Blue”
In the 1990s, David Caruso began to establish himself in police-themed roles, appearing in films like “Kings of New York” and “Mad Dog and Glory.” He also played a mute character in “Hudson Hawk.” In 1993, he landed his first major starring role in “NYPD Blue.”
David Caruso’s Real Estate and Personal Life
David Caruso owns a 1,650-square-foot property in Sherman Oaks, purchased in 2005 for $1.85 million. In 1984, Caruso married actress Rachel Ticotin, and they had a child before divorcing in 1987. He then had a relationship with Liza Marquez, with whom he had two children. Marquez later sued Caruso, seeking over $1.2 million and a home deed, alleging he promised her support even after their separation. She claimed an agreement for $1 million (plus $200,000 in attorney fees) and a home in the San Fernando Valley. Caruso’s lawyers denied these claims. The information suggests that David Caruso’s net worth is significantly influenced by his real estate investments and potentially impacted by legal settlements related to his personal relationships.
David Caruso’s Career Post-“NYPD Blue”
After leaving “NYPD Blue,” Caruso’s career faced challenges. His attempts to establish himself as a leading man in films, such as “Kiss of Death” and “Jade,” were not successful. He returned to television in 1997 with a role as a lawyer in “Michael Hayes.” By 2000, his film career saw some improvement with a supporting role in “Proof of Life.” He then took a lead role in the 2001 horror film “Session 9,” receiving praise for his performance.
In 2002, David Caruso accepted what is probably the most defining role of his career: Lieutenant Horatio Caine in “CSI: Miami.” The series ran for ten years before being canceled in 2012, after which David Caruso stepped away from acting to focus on the art business. David Caruso’s net worth can be attributed to the salary he earned from “CSI: Miami” and other projects.
