Net Worth Ranker
What Is John David Washington’s Net Worth?
John David Washington, an accomplished American actor and former professional football player, has accumulated a considerable net worth of $8 million. This financial standing reflects his successful transition from the football field to the world of entertainment, where he has garnered recognition for his acting prowess in both film and television.
Early Life and Football Career Beginnings
Born on July 28, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, John David Washington is the son of renowned actor Denzel Washington and actress and singer Pauletta Washington. While specific details regarding his early childhood financial circumstances are not publicly available, his upbringing was undoubtedly influenced by his parents’ success in the entertainment industry. He attended Campbell Hall School, where he excelled in basketball, football, and track. Following his graduation in 2002, he pursued higher education at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Washington’s athletic journey began at Morehouse College, where he showcased his talent as a running back. He made a significant impact by leading the conference in rushing with a school record of 1,198 yards. Furthermore, he established school records for both single-game and career rushing yards, amassing 242 and 3,699 yards, respectively. While these achievements did not translate into an NFL draft selection in 2006, Washington signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent. Although he was later released and re-signed to the team’s practice squad, his football career continued in NFL Europe with the Rhein Fire during the 2007 offseason. Ultimately, he was drafted by the UFL’s California Redwoods, which later became the Sacramento Mountain Lions, where he played for four years until the league’s closure in 2012. Specific details regarding his football earnings during this period are not publicly accessible.
Transition to Acting and “Ballers” Success
Washington’s foray into acting gained significant momentum in 2015 when he secured a prominent role in the HBO sports dramedy series “Ballers.” He portrayed Ricky Jerret, a fiercely competitive NFL player with a strong spiritual dimension. The series, which also starred Dwayne Johnson, Rob Corddry, Omar Miller, London Brown, and Jazmyn Simon, provided Washington with a platform to showcase his acting abilities. He remained a key cast member throughout all five seasons of “Ballers,” which concluded in 2019. Precise salary details for his role in “Ballers” have not been officially disclosed, but given the series’ popularity and Washington’s significant contribution, it can be inferred that he earned a substantial income during its run.
His first official film role was in 2017’s Love Beats Rhymes, directed by RZA, starring Azealia Banks, Common, Lucien Laviscount, Jill Scott, and Lorraine Toussaint, among others.
Breakthrough Film Roles and “BlacKkKlansman” Acclaim
Washington’s breakthrough year in film arrived in 2018, marked by his involvement in four distinct projects. “Monsters and Men” and “Monster” both premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, with Washington portraying police officer Dennis Williams in the former and Richard “Bobo” Evans in a supporting role in the latter. However, it was his portrayal of Ron Stallworth, the real-life African-American detective who infiltrated a local Ku Klux Klan chapter in Colorado Springs in the early 1970s, in Spike Lee’s biographical drama “BlacKkKlansman” that garnered him widespread recognition and critical acclaim. His performance earned him nominations for both SAG and Golden Globe Awards, solidifying his position as a rising star in Hollywood. While specific financial compensation details for these roles are not publicly available, the success of “BlacKkKlansman” undoubtedly enhanced his market value and future earning potential.
Another biographical crime film he was in was “The Old Man & the Gun,” starring Robert Redford as real-life career criminal Forrest Tucker.
Major Film Projects: “Tenet,” “Malcolm & Marie,” and Beyond
Following his impressive performance in “BlacKkKlansman,” Christopher Nolan cast Washington in his 2020 science-fiction spy film “Tenet,” alongside Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh. While specific salary figures for “Tenet” remain undisclosed, given Nolan’s reputation and the film’s high-profile nature, it is reasonable to assume that Washington commanded a significant salary for his role. Subsequently, Washington starred opposite Zendaya in the 2021 romantic drama “Malcolm & Marie,” a project notable for being the first Hollywood feature film entirely produced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific financial arrangements for “Malcolm & Marie,” including Washington’s salary and any profit-sharing agreements, have not been publicly released.
Also in 2021, Washington starred as a hunted American tourist in Greece in the action thriller “Beckett”. His other credits have included David O. Russell’s period ensemble comedy “Canterbury Glass,” costarring such actors as Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, Robert De Niro, and Rami Malek; and Gareth Edwards’ science-fiction film “True Love,” costarring Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, and Allison Janney, among others. The financial details of these movies remain confidential.
Broadway Debut and Future Film Adaptations
In 2022, Washington ventured into the world of theater, starring as Boy Willie in a Broadway revival of August Wilson’s play “The Piano Lesson.” The production also featured Samuel L. Jackson and Danielle Brooks, under the direction of LaTanya Richardson Jackson. Furthermore, the cast announced plans to adapt the play into a film, potentially expanding Washington’s creative portfolio and income streams. Specific details regarding Washington’s compensation for the Broadway production and any potential film adaptation remain private.
John David Washington Net Worth: Summary
In summary, John David Washington’s net worth of $8 million reflects his successful career as an actor, bolstered by his earlier experiences as a professional football player. His roles in critically acclaimed films such as “BlacKkKlansman,” “Tenet,” and “Malcolm & Marie,” along with his involvement in the television series “Ballers,” have contributed significantly to his financial standing. While specific details regarding his earnings from various projects are not always publicly accessible, his consistent presence in high-profile productions suggests a steady growth in his net worth over time. He made his first stage debut in the 2022 Broadway play “The Piano Lesson.”
