David Chase Net Worth

What Is David Chase’s Net Worth?

David Chase, a prominent figure in American television as a screenwriter, showrunner, producer, and director, has amassed a considerable fortune over his career. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around $80 million. This wealth is primarily attributed to his creation of the critically acclaimed HBO crime drama series “The Sopranos,” as well as his earlier work on shows like “The Rockford Files” and “Northern Exposure.” Chase’s involvement in the television and film industry, including his feature film directorial debut with “Not Fade Away” in 2012 and his contributions to “The Many Saints of Newark,” has solidified his financial standing.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Born on August 22, 1945, in Mount Vernon, New York, David Chase’s journey began in a working-class Italian-American family. Raised in Clifton and North Caldwell, New Jersey, Chase’s early life experiences profoundly influenced his later creative endeavors, most notably “The Sopranos.” After graduating high school, Chase attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he spent two years before transferring to New York University. He pursued a film career and later earned his MA degree from Stanford University’s film school in 1971.

Chase’s Hollywood career started as a story editor on ABC’s “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.” He then produced and wrote for series such as “The Rockford Files,” “Switch,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Northern Exposure.” In 1978, he won his first Emmy Award as a producer for “The Rockford Files.” Another notable early credit includes the 1980 television film “Off the Minnesota Strip,” which earned him another Emmy Award. In 1986, he directed an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” titled “Enough Rope for Two.” In 1988, Chase created the series “Almost Grown,” which, despite positive reviews, ran for only 10 episodes.

“The Sopranos”: A Career-Defining Creation

In 1999, David Chase achieved widespread recognition for creating “The Sopranos” on HBO. Drawing from his personal experiences growing up in New Jersey, the series revolves around Tony Soprano, an Italian-American mobster, and his challenges balancing his criminal life with his family responsibilities. The show starred James Gandolfini as Tony, alongside Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Dominic Chianese, Michael Imperioli, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and Robert Iler.

Although Chase is credited with writing only 30 of the show’s episodes, he played a crucial role in developing all the scripts. He directed and wrote both the pilot and the series finale. “The Sopranos” ran for six seasons, concluding in 2007. It garnered 21 Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and Peabody Awards for its first two seasons. The show is considered one of the greatest television series ever made, marking a significant milestone in the “golden age” of television. Its influence can be seen in subsequent series centered on complex characters, such as “The Shield,” “Rescue Me,” and “Breaking Bad.” The show’s financial impact has been substantial, contributing significantly to David Chase’s net worth. While specific figures for his earnings from “The Sopranos” are not publicly available, his roles as creator, writer, director, and executive producer would have entitled him to a substantial share of the show’s revenue, including initial licensing fees, syndication deals, and DVD sales.

Transition to Film: “Not Fade Away” and “The Many Saints of Newark”

In 2012, Chase transitioned to film directing with “Not Fade Away,” a coming-of-age drama about a teen rock band in 1960s New Jersey. The film featured John Magaro, Bella Heathcote, Molly Price, Christopher McDonald, Lisa Lampanelli, Brad Garrett, and Jack Huston. James Gandolfini, also from “The Sopranos,” played a supporting role as the main character’s father. While “Not Fade Away” received mixed reviews, it demonstrated Chase’s versatility as a filmmaker.

Chase’s next major film project was “The Many Saints of Newark” in 2021, a prequel to “The Sopranos.” He served as a writer and producer on the film, which explores racial tensions between Italian-American and African-American communities in Newark, New Jersey, during the 1960s and 1970s. The film starred Michael Gandolfini as a younger Tony Soprano, Alessandro Nivola as Dickie Moltisanti, Leslie Odom Jr. as Harold McBrayer, Vera Farmiga as Livia Soprano, Jon Bernthal as Johnny Soprano, Corey Stoll as Junior Soprano, Billy Magnussen as Paulie Walnuts, and Ray Liotta as the Moltisanti twins. Although “The Many Saints of Newark” received mixed reviews, its connection to “The Sopranos” generated significant interest. The financial details of Chase’s involvement, including his upfront fees and potential backend profits, remain confidential, but his dual role as writer and producer would have entitled him to a significant share of the film’s revenue streams.

Real Estate Investments

David Chase’s real estate portfolio reflects his financial success. In 2012, he purchased a penthouse apartment in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood for $9.65 million. He sold this apartment to professional tennis player Milos Raonic in April 2019 for $7.6 million, resulting in a loss of $2.05 million on the sale. While this particular investment did not yield a profit, it is essential to consider it within the broader context of his overall financial strategy. In December 2019, David and Denise Chase acquired a home in Santa Monica, California, for just under $7 million. The Santa Monica property likely serves as their primary residence and represents a significant asset within their real estate holdings. Specific details about the property, such as the exact square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any unique features, are not publicly available. However, homes in Santa Monica typically command high prices due to the area’s desirable location, upscale amenities, and strong real estate market.

Personal Life and Additional Ventures

Following his graduation from New York University in 1968, Chase moved to California and married his high school sweetheart, Denise Kelly. They have a daughter named Michele, who appeared in six episodes of “The Sopranos” as Hunter Scangarelo. Beyond his television and film work, David Chase’s creative output includes contributions to various other projects. However, detailed information about his involvement in these ventures and their impact on his net worth remains limited.

Earning Details from The Sopranos

While specific earning details from “The Sopranos” are not fully public, understanding the financial structure of a hit television series can provide insight into how David Chase accumulated his wealth. As the creator, writer, director, and executive producer, Chase would have received income from several sources:

Creator Fee: A one-time payment for creating the series concept and developing the initial scripts. The exact amount is confidential but would likely have been substantial given the series’ potential.
Writing Fees: Payments for each episode he wrote. As mentioned, Chase is credited with writing 30 episodes, and these fees would have been significant, especially considering his status as the show’s creator.
Directing Fees: Compensation for directing the pilot and series finale. Directing fees for high-profile television episodes can be considerable.
Executive Producer Salary: A recurring salary for his role as executive producer, overseeing all aspects of the show’s production. This salary would have been paid per season and could have increased as the show’s popularity grew.
Backend Profits: A percentage of the show’s profits after production costs were recouped. This is where the most significant earnings potential lies, as successful series generate substantial revenue through syndication, DVD sales, streaming deals, and international licensing.
Syndication Revenue: Royalties from the licensing of “The Sopranos” to other television networks and streaming services. Given the show’s enduring popularity, these royalties would continue to generate income for Chase.
DVD Sales: Revenue from the sale of “The Sopranos” DVD box sets. Although physical media sales have declined in recent years, “The Sopranos” DVD sales were likely substantial during the show’s initial run and subsequent years.
Streaming Deals: Payments from streaming services like HBO Max for the rights to stream “The Sopranos.” These deals have become increasingly lucrative for creators of successful television series.

The combined income from these sources would have contributed significantly to David Chase’s net worth, solidifying his financial success as a television creator and producer. While the exact figures remain confidential, it is clear that “The Sopranos” was a major source of his wealth.

Comparison with James Gandolfini’s Net Worth

It’s interesting to note the net worth of James Gandolfini, the star of “The Sopranos,” in relation to David Chase’s. Before his death in 2013, James Gandolfini had a net worth of approximately $70 million. While substantial, it is slightly less than David Chase’s $80 million. This difference can be attributed to Chase’s multiple roles in the show’s creation and production, as well as his continued work in the industry after “The Sopranos” concluded. Gandolfini’s primary source of income was his acting role in “The Sopranos,” for which he reportedly earned around $1 million per episode in the later seasons. While this was a significant amount, it did not include the backend profits and other revenue streams that Chase received as the show’s creator and executive producer. Additionally, Gandolfini’s career was cut short by his untimely death, limiting his potential to accumulate further wealth through other projects.

Legacy and Future Projects

David Chase’s legacy extends beyond his financial success. He is recognized as a visionary storyteller who revolutionized television with “The Sopranos.” His innovative approach to character development, narrative structure, and thematic exploration has influenced countless writers, directors, and producers. As of 2025, Chase remains active in the industry, with potential future projects that could further enhance his net worth. While specific details about these projects are not yet public, his track record suggests that any new creations will be met with significant interest and anticipation. Chase’s continued involvement in television and film ensures that his influence will continue to shape the entertainment landscape for years to come.