Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kerry Washington’s Net Worth?
Kerry Washington, a highly accomplished American actress, boasts a substantial net worth of $50 million. This impressive figure is a testament to her successful career spanning film, television, and stage, as well as her strategic endorsement deals and production ventures.
Kerry Washington’s Earnings and Salary Details
Washington’s rise to prominence significantly boosted her earnings. During the early seasons of “Scandal,” she commanded a respectable $80,000 per episode, translating to approximately $1.5 million annually. However, as the series gained momentum and her role as Olivia Pope solidified her star status, her salary escalated to $250,000 per episode, culminating in an impressive $4.5 million per season at the show’s peak. Her earnings were further amplified by lucrative endorsement contracts with renowned brands such as Neutrogena, Apple, and Movado. In 2016, her total earnings reached $13 million, followed by $11 million in 2017, and $12 million in 2018, demonstrating a consistent stream of income that totaled $36 million over those three years.
Her role in the Hulu miniseries “Little Fires Everywhere” marked another significant milestone in her career, earning her a remarkable $1.1 million per episode. With eight episodes in the first season, her total earnings for the series amounted to nearly $9 million. This underscores her ability to command top-tier compensation in the television industry.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 31, 1977, in The Bronx, New York City, Kerry Marisa Washington’s upbringing provided a strong foundation for her future success. Her mother, Valerie, worked as a professor and educational consultant, while her father, Earl, was a real estate broker. Her lineage also includes a connection to former US Secretary of State Colin Powell through her mother’s side. Washington attended the prestigious Spence School in Manhattan, graduating in 1994. During her teenage years, she honed her performance skills with the TADA! Youth Theater group. She pursued higher education at George Washington University, where she earned a double major in anthropology and sociology in 1998. In 2013, she returned to her alma mater as the commencement speaker, receiving an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Washington’s career began with an early role in the ABC telefilm “Magical Make-Over” in 1994. She followed this with appearances in films such as “Our Song” (2000), “Save the Last Dance” (2001), “Bad Company” (2002), and “The Human Stain” (2003). Her first significant starring role came in Spike Lee’s “She Hate Me” (2004), which garnered positive reviews and recognition for her talent. She then secured roles in notable films like “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005), “Little Man” (2006), “Fantastic Four” (2005), “The Last King of Scotland” (2006), and “I Think I Love My Wife” (2007). She also had a recurring role as Chelina Hall on the ABC series “Boston Legal” and made guest appearances on the A&E show “100 Centre Street.” Other television shows she appeared on include “Law and Order,” “Psych,” and “NYPD Blue.”
In 2010, Washington made her stage debut in David Mamet’s “Race” on Broadway. That same year, she appeared in Tyler Perry’s film “For Colored Girls.” For her performance in the critically acclaimed film “Django Unchained” (2012), Washington was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2012.
Her most recognizable role came with the ABC drama series “Scandal” (2012-2018), where she starred as crisis manager Olivia Pope. The show, created by Shonda Rhimes, achieved massive commercial and critical success. For her performance on “Scandal,” Washington won the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Award at the 44th NAACP Image Awards in 2013. That same year, she was also presented with the NAACP President’s Award and named “TV Guide” magazine’s “Favorite Actress” and “TV Star of the Year.” Additionally, Washington received Emmy nominations at both the 65th and 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, making her the first African-American woman to be nominated in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 18 years. She also received nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series.
Washington also starred in the HBO movie “Confirmation” (2016), directed by Rick Famuyiwa, which covered the testimony of Anita Hill during Clarence Thomas’s Supreme Court nomination. The film was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie. Kerry was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards and for the equivalent award at that year’s Critics’ Choice Awards. In 2020, Washington starred alongside Reese Witherspoon in the Hulu show “Little Fires Everywhere,” and she also served as executive producer. The show was based on Celeste Ng’s novel of the same name.
Real Estate Investments
Kerry Washington has made strategic investments in real estate, contributing to her overall net worth. In 2013, she and her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha, purchased a home in Los Angeles for $1.9 million from MADtv actress/comedian Nicole Sullivan. They later sold the property in 2016 for $2.7 million, realizing a profit on their investment. Around the same time as the sale, the couple acquired a private home in Beverly Hills for $6.75 million. A year later, they expanded their holdings by purchasing an adjacent home for just under $4 million, creating an even more secluded gated compound. In addition to their Los Angeles properties, Washington and Asomugha also own a New York City apartment and a Manhattan Beach, California, townhome, which they purchased separately before their marriage. These real estate investments demonstrate a diversified approach to wealth management and contribute to Washington’s financial portfolio.
