Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kym Whitley’s Net Worth?
Kym Whitley, a multifaceted American comedian and actress, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $3.5 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to her extensive career in television and film, marked by her memorable roles in various sitcoms and other entertainment projects. Her consistent work ethic and ability to diversify her talents across different platforms have solidified her position in the industry.
Kym Whitley’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on July 21, 1961, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Kym Whitley is the daughter of Kaysonia and William Whitley. Her upbringing was unique, as she spent a portion of her childhood in Khartoum, Sudan, alongside her two older brothers, Kyle and Scott. William Whitley, her father, was a prominent architect and a founding partner of Whitley and Whitley, a distinguished black architectural firm. This firm contributed to notable structures such as Tower City Center, the Cleveland Public Library, and Progressive Field, the home of the Cleveland Indians. Kym attended Shaker Heights High School, graduating in 1979, before pursuing higher education at Fisk University in Nashville, where she joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. It was during her college years that Whitley discovered her passion for show business, recognizing her outgoing and creative personality as assets. Despite initial skepticism from her family, they remained supportive of her aspirations. After college, Whitley relocated to California, where she initially worked as a teacher in Compton. Her career trajectory shifted when she secured a position as an assistant to Arsenio Hall. She also gained experience as a dancer on “Soul Train,” further immersing herself in the entertainment industry. Her breakthrough role came in 1989 when she starred in Shelly Garrett’s popular play, “Beauty Shop,” which started in Los Angeles and toured across the United States. This role paved the way for her to book gigs on television and in films in the early 1990s.
Kym Whitley’s Television and Film Career
Kym Whitley’s career in television and film began to flourish in the early 1990s. Her first role was in a 1992 episode of “Vinnie & Bobby.” She also became part of the recurring cast on “My Brother and Me” in 1994. In 1995, she appeared in episodes of “The Parent Hood” and “Martin,” and the following year, she landed a guest role in an episode of “Married…with Children.” A significant step in her career came in 1996 when she joined the main cast of the series “Sparks,” which aired until 1998. During this period, she also collaborated with the Wayans brothers in a 1998 episode of “The Wayans Bros.” and appeared in “Sports Theater with Shaquille O’Neal.” In 1999, Whitley secured one of her first film roles in “Beverly Hood” and also appeared in “Arli$$.” The 2000s proved to be a pivotal decade for Whitley. She started the decade with roles in episodes of “Grown Ups,” “Moesha,” and “Intimate Portrait.” She also appeared in films such as “Next Friday,” “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps,” and “A Private Affair.” From 2001 to 2002, she appeared as herself in the series “Oh, Drama!” and then joined the cast of the popular series “The Parkers” in 2002, a spin-off of “Moesha” on the UPN channel. She remained on the show until 2004. In the same year, she had a memorable character role in Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” She also began booking roles in more prominent films such as “Love Chronicles,” “Along Came Polly,” and “The Perfect Man.” In 2004, Whitley received a BET Comedy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Box Office Movie for her role in “Deliver Us From Eva.” In 2005, she appeared in episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “That’s So Raven,” and “Love, Inc,” among others. She also began voicing characters in the BET animated series “The Boondocks,” a role she continued until 2010. Whitley continued to work steadily in both film and television throughout the latter half of the decade, further contributing to her overall net worth. In early 2010, Whitley co-hosted the short-lived talk show “The Brian McKnight Show” with R&B musician Brian McKnight. From 2012 to 2013, she had a recurring role on the BET comedy series “Let’s Stay Together.” In 2013, she developed her own docu-series called “Raising Whitley,” which premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network. It achieved the fifth-most-watched premiere in the network’s history, leading to a second season in 2014. In 2014, Whitley joined the cast of the ABC Family (Freeform) sitcom “Young & Hungry,” playing the role of Yolanda until the show concluded in 2018. In 2017, she secured a role in the web series “The Bay,” earning a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series. She also won the Indie Series Award for Best Guest Actress in Drama for her performance. In 2018, she appeared in an Emmy-award-winning episode of Aziz Ansari’s show “Master of None.” In 2019, she participated in the 16th season of “Worst Cooks in America.” In 2020, she appeared in “blackAF” and “Mr. Iglesias,” and in 2021, she booked roles in “Call Your Mother,” “Made for Love,” and “That Girl Lay Lay.” She also became the host of “The Big Holiday Food Fight” in 2021. Each of these roles has contributed to her financial stability and status.
Kym Whitley’s Real Estate Investments
Kym Whitley has made strategic real estate investments that have contributed to her net worth. In 2001, she purchased a home in Los Angeles for $335,000. In 2017, she considered selling the property, listing it for just under $700,000. However, she ultimately decided not to sell, a decision that proved beneficial as the home’s estimated value has since increased to approximately $1.4 million. In 2018, Whitley acquired a home in Tarzana, California, for $1.25 million. These real estate ventures demonstrate her savvy investment strategies, further enhancing her overall financial standing. These smart investments have significantly bolstered her financial portfolio.
Kym Whitley’s Personal Life and Motherhood Journey
Kym Whitley is the adoptive mother of a son, Joshua, who was born in January 2011. Her path to motherhood is unique and unconventional. Joshua is the biological son of a woman Whitley had been mentoring for several years. After giving birth, the woman left Joshua at the hospital, designating Whitley as his legal guardian before disappearing. Whitley received a call from a social worker informing her of this situation, and within an hour, she became a mother. Her commitment to Joshua and her role as a mother is a significant part of her life. She has openly shared her experiences with adoption and motherhood. Her role as a mother adds an additional layer to her public persona.
Kym Whitley’s Awards and Nominations
Kym Whitley has received several awards and nominations throughout her career. In 2004, she was nominated for a BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Box Office Movie for her role in “Deliver Us From Eva.” In 2017, she received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her work in the web series “The Bay.” She also won the Indie Series Award for Best Guest Actress in Drama for her role in “The Bay.” In 2018, she appeared in an Emmy-award-winning episode of Aziz Ansari’s show “Master of None.” These accolades recognize her talent and contributions to the entertainment industry, adding to her professional achievements. Her awards and nominations are a testament to her dedication and talent.
