What Is Esai Morales’s Net Worth?
Esai Morales, a multifaceted American actor celebrated for his contributions to television and film, has accumulated a net worth of $5 million. This financial standing reflects his successful career spanning several decades, marked by diverse roles in critically acclaimed projects. His journey from the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan to becoming a recognizable face in Hollywood illustrates a dedicated pursuit of his craft, leading to significant earnings and a solid net worth.
Esai Morales: Key Roles and Earnings
Morales’s acting career took off with his role in Paul Morrissey’s “Forty Deuce” in 1982, followed by a breakthrough performance in the 1983 crime drama “Bad Boys,” where he starred alongside Sean Penn. Although specific earnings from these early roles are not publicly available, they laid the foundation for his subsequent success. In 1987, he played Bob Morales in “La Bamba,” a role that further solidified his presence in Hollywood. While the exact salary figures for “La Bamba” and other films from the 1980s remain undisclosed, these projects significantly contributed to his growing net worth.
The 1990s saw Morales take on diverse roles in films like “Naked Tango” and “Freejack.” His participation in “My Family” in 1995 added to his filmography and likely boosted his earnings. However, specific financial details related to these roles are not publicly accessible.
In the 2000s, Morales’s career expanded into television with significant roles in series such as “Resurrection Blvd.” and “NYPD Blue,” where he played Lieutenant Tony Rodriguez. His role in the PBS series “American Family” was also a landmark achievement. Details regarding his compensation for these television roles, including per-episode salaries or contract terms, are not publicly available, but his consistent work in these series undoubtedly contributed to his income and net worth.
Further boosting his financial portfolio, Morales had recurring roles in popular television series such as “Criminal Minds,” “Magic City,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Chicago P.D.,” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” While specific salary figures for these recurring roles are not disclosed, they would have provided a steady income stream, positively impacting his net worth.
A significant milestone in Morales’s career is his role as the main antagonist in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.” While the exact compensation for this role is not publicly available, such a high-profile part in a major film franchise would have substantially increased his earnings, adding to his overall net worth.
Television Career: A Steady Source of Income
Esai Morales’s foray into television began with guest appearances on shows like “ABC Afterschool Special,” “The Equalizer,” “Fame,” and “Miami Vice” in the 1980s. While the specific income from these early television roles is unknown, these appearances helped establish him in the industry. His first substantial television role came in 1986 with the miniseries “On Wings of Eagles,” where he appeared alongside Burt Lancaster. The financial details of this role are not publicly available, but it marked a significant step in his television career.
Morales’s career in television gained momentum in the 2000s, with recurring roles on “Resurrection Blvd.” and a main role on “NYPD Blue.” His involvement in the PBS series “American Family,” the first broadcast television drama series featuring a mostly Latino cast, was a notable achievement. Specific salary information for these television roles is not publicly disclosed, but his consistent work in these series would have contributed significantly to his income.
He also starred in the science-fiction series “Caprica” from 2009 to 2010 and the miniseries “Los Americans” in 2010. These roles added to his acting credits and likely increased his earnings. Later, Morales had recurring roles in popular television series such as “Criminal Minds,” “Magic City,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Chicago P.D.,” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” Although the exact financial compensation for these recurring roles is not publicly accessible, they would have provided a stable income stream, contributing to his overall net worth.
Additionally, Morales had main roles on “The Brink,” “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” “Ozark,” and the DC Comics superhero series “Titans.” While salary details for these main roles are not publicly known, they would have significantly boosted his earnings and contributed to his financial standing.
Film Career: Box Office Success and Critical Acclaim
In 1982, Morales debuted in film with Paul Morrissey’s “Forty Deuce,” and in 1983, he gained recognition in the crime drama “Bad Boys” alongside Sean Penn. Although the exact earnings from these early films are not publicly available, they marked the beginning of his film career. He played Bob Morales in the 1987 film “La Bamba,” which further established his presence in the industry. While the specific financial details for “La Bamba” remain undisclosed, the film’s success would have positively impacted his earnings.
The 1990s included roles in films such as “Naked Tango” and “Freejack.” In 1994, he appeared in “Rapa-Nui,” “Don’t Do It,” and “In the Army Now.” His participation in “My Family” in 1995 added to his filmography and likely increased his income. However, detailed financial data related to these roles is not publicly available.
Morales’s film career continued in the 2000s with appearances in “American Virgin,” “Spin Cycle,” and “Doomsday Man.” In 2002, he played a drug dealer in the crime drama “Pain in Full.” He also appeared in “Once Upon a Wedding,” “American Fusion,” “The Virgin of Juarez,” “Fast Food Nation,” “How to Go Out on a Date in Queens,” “Kill Kill Faster Faster,” and “La Linea.” In 2010, Morales starred in the thriller “King of the Avenue.” The following year, he starred in the drama “Gun Hill Road.” Specific financial details from these film roles are not publicly disclosed, but his consistent work in film contributed to his overall earnings and net worth.
More recently, Morales has appeared in films such as “Playin’ for Love,” “Spare Parts,” “Superfly,” “The Wall of Mexico,” and “Senior Moment.” In 2022, he was in “The Latin from Manhattan” and Paul Schrader’s crime thriller “Master Gardener.” Notably, he played the main antagonist in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.” While the exact compensation for this role is not publicly available, such a high-profile part in a major film franchise would have substantially increased his earnings.
Personal Life and Activism
Esai Morales’s personal life, including his marriage to Elvimar Silva and their daughter Mariana, has been kept relatively private. Information regarding specific assets or real estate holdings is not publicly available. His activism, inspired by his union organizer mother, includes co-founding the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and serving as a founding board member of the Earth Communications Office. These activities, while not directly contributing to his net worth, reflect his commitment to social causes. His participation in a benefit reading of “The Gift of Peace” at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse in 2007 further illustrates his involvement in charitable endeavors. Information regarding personal investments or other financial activities remains private.