Net Worth Ranker
What Is Isaiah Mustafa’s Net Worth?
Isaiah Mustafa, an accomplished actor and former professional football player, has cultivated a substantial net worth estimated at $6 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to his successful acting career, most notably his iconic role in the Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” advertising campaign. Beyond his commercial success, Mustafa has held prominent roles in television series such as “Shadowhunters” and “Cross,” further augmenting his income through various film appearances, including “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” “Horrible Bosses,” “It Chapter Two,” and “Murder at Yellowstone City.” His diverse portfolio of roles showcases his versatility and contributes significantly to his overall financial success.
Isaiah Mustafa’s Old Spice Salary and Earnings
Isaiah Mustafa’s breakthrough role in the Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign, launched in 2010, propelled him to widespread recognition. While specific contract details for commercial actors are not typically public knowledge, industry standards and contextual clues provide a basis for estimating his earnings. Commercials governed by SAG-AFTRA union rules include session fees and residuals. Session fees for filming a commercial are around $3,800 to $4,000 per commercial. Residuals, which accrue from re-use and airplay, can significantly increase earnings, particularly for national advertisements that air frequently on television and online platforms.
Given the high profile and viral success of the Old Spice campaign, Mustafa’s estimated annual earnings at its peak likely ranged from $500,000 to over $1 million. This range is based on factors such as the number of commercials aired, the frequency of airplay, and potential bonuses or profit-sharing agreements negotiated due to the campaign’s success. Long-term or exclusive contracts with Old Spice could have included additional fees beyond standard SAG rates. Even after the original campaign’s peak, Mustafa returned in later Old Spice commercials, such as in 2020, which could have resulted in higher negotiated rates or endorsement-style deals.
Early Life and Education
Isaiah Mustafa was born on February 11, 1974, in Portland, Oregon, as the youngest of seven children to Muslim parents Shahidah and John. At the age of five, his family relocated to Mission Viejo, California. During his teenage years, Mustafa attended Santa Clara High School in Oxnard. He furthered his education at Santa Monica College before transferring to Moorpark College. Ultimately, Mustafa completed his college degree at Arizona State University, graduating in 1995 with a degree in history. This educational foundation laid the groundwork for his diverse career path.
Football Career Details
Isaiah Mustafa’s athletic journey began in school, where he showcased his football skills at Moorpark College and Arizona State University. As an Arizona State Sun Devil, he played in the 1997 Rose Bowl. Initially planning to become a high school teacher after graduating from ASU, Mustafa was encouraged by a sports agent to pursue a career in the NFL. He was signed to the practice squad of the Tennessee Oilers and later played for the Barcelona Dragons in Europe in 1998. In 1999, Mustafa spent time with the practice squads of the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns. He concluded his football career in 2000 during the training camp of the Seattle Seahawks. This experience in professional sports honed his discipline and work ethic, which would later benefit his acting career.
Television Career Highlights
Isaiah Mustafa’s television career began in the late 2000s, with appearances in episodes of “Ugly Betty,” “Days of Our Lives,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “Eli Stone.” In 2010, he rose to prominence for his role as the Man Your Man Could Smell Like in a series of Old Spice commercials. The original commercial won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial. Following this success, Mustafa appeared in episodes of shows such as “Chuck,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “Femme Fatales,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Nikita,” “Anger Management,” and “Kroll Show.” He also played the father of Keke Palmer’s protagonist in the Nickelodeon television film “Rags.”
Mustafa secured his first main television role in 2016 as werewolf Luke Garroway in the supernatural drama series “Shadowhunters.” Based on Cassandra Clare’s novel series “The Mortal Instruments,” the series aired on Freeform through the spring of 2019. He subsequently had guest roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Black-ish” in 2021 and 2022, respectively. His next main role came in 2024, playing Washington, DC police detective John Sampson in the crime thriller series “Cross.” The Amazon Prime Video series is based on the “Alex Cross” novel series by James Patterson. This progression of roles demonstrates Mustafa’s growth and versatility in the television industry.
Film Career Overview
After brief roles in “The Island” and “Even Money,” Isaiah Mustafa secured his first significant film role in Tyler Perry’s 2011 dramedy “Madea’s Big Happy Family.” In the same year, he had a small part in the comedy “Horrible Bosses.” Mustafa had another small role in 2012, in the comedy “The Three Stooges.” In 2013, he appeared in the direct-to-video thriller “Crush,” and in 2014, he was in the comedy “Back in the Day.” In 2016, Mustafa had a supporting role in “After the Reality,” starring Matthew Morrison and Sarah Chalke. At the end of the decade, he played the adult version of Mike Hanlon in the supernatural horror film “It Chapter Two,” the sequel to “It.” Mustafa’s subsequent credits included the football comedy “Home Team” and the Western “Murder at Yellowstone City,” both released in 2022. He also appeared in the 2023 dystopian action comedy “Boy Kills World,” reuniting him with “It Chapter Two” star Bill Skarsgård. These film roles contribute to his overall net worth and career diversification.
Other Endeavors
A comic book enthusiast, Isaiah Mustafa won an episode of the television game show “Weakest Link” by correctly identifying the first name of the supervillain Doctor Doom. He also portrayed the superhero Luke Cage in a Marvel Comics web short that parodied his Old Spice commercials. Additionally, Mustafa owned the restaurant Jo Jo’s Barbecue in Los Angeles at the beginning of the 21st century. These various endeavors showcase his diverse interests and entrepreneurial spirit.
Personal Life and Relationships
Isaiah Mustafa previously dated professional wrestler and actress Catherine Perry, known as Lana in WWE. In 2016, he began dating Lisa Mitchell, whom he married in 2018; they have a son together. These personal milestones reflect his life outside of his professional career.
Real Estate Investments
In 2021, Isaiah Mustafa purchased an 8-acre property in Santa Ynez, California, for $2.5 million. As of today, the estimated value of this home is around $3.5 million. This real estate investment represents a significant asset contributing to his overall net worth.
