Net Worth Ranker
What Is Lewis Black’s Net Worth?
Lewis Black, a multifaceted American entertainer renowned for his comedy, acting, playwriting, and authorship, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $2.5 million as of 2024. This figure reflects his diverse career spanning stand-up comedy, television, film, and literary endeavors.
Sources of Lewis Black’s Net Worth
Black’s financial success stems from a variety of sources, most notably his extensive work in stand-up comedy. He gained significant recognition through his appearances on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” starting in 1996, which provided a platform for national exposure. His own show on the network, “Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil,” which premiered in 2008, further amplified his presence and income.
His stand-up comedy career is further bolstered by numerous comedy albums. As of 2024, Lewis Black has released more than a dozen comedy albums, including well-known titles like “The White Album” (2000), “Rules of Enragement” (2003), and “The Rant is Due” (2017). While exact sales figures for each album are not publicly available, comedy albums typically generate revenue through sales, streaming royalties, and licensing for use in other media.
In addition to his comedy albums, Black has several stand-up specials available to stream or purchase. Specific revenue figures for individual specials are difficult to obtain, however, it is known that comedians are typically paid an upfront fee plus a percentage of the profits. Royalties earned from these specials are based on several factors, including the initial licensing agreement, the number of views each special generates, and performance-based incentives.
His forays into film and television also significantly contribute to his net worth. Black voiced Anger in the 2015 Pixar film “Inside Out,” which grossed $858.8 million worldwide. Though his exact salary for this role is not public, voice acting in major animated films can command substantial fees. Aside from “Inside Out,” Black has also appeared in dozens of film and television projects, including “Accepted” (2006), “Man of the Year” (2006), and “Madoff” (2016). His acting roles, while varied, provide consistent income through salaries and potential residuals.
Black’s creative endeavors extend to writing. He has published three books: “Nothing’s Sacred” (2000), “Me of Little Faith” (2008), and “I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas” (2010). While the exact sales numbers and royalties from these books are not publicly available, successful authors can earn significant income through royalties, advances, and potential film or television adaptations.
Black has produced several of his stand-up comedy specials, as well as “Root of All Evil,” the 2008 documentary “History of the Joke,” and the 2016 TV series “The Mentors.” Production credits typically involve upfront fees, backend points based on the success of the project, or a combination of both. For “Root of All Evil,” Black served as an executive producer, entitling him to a portion of the show’s profits. Specific financial details of these projects are not publicly accessible.
In 2009, Black’s concert film “Stark Raving Black” was released. The film captured one of his stand-up performances and was distributed through various platforms. The financial success of such a film depends on distribution agreements, ticket sales (if shown in theaters), and digital downloads. The exact financial details are not public information.
In 2004, Lewis Black was ranked #51 on Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-Up Comics of All Time” list. While this recognition doesn’t directly translate into monetary value, it enhances his reputation and can lead to increased ticket sales, higher fees for appearances, and other income-generating opportunities. In the network’s “Stand-Up Showdown,” he was voted #5 in 2008 and #11 in 2010, further solidifying his status within the comedy community.
In 2006, Black earned his first Best Comedy Album Grammy nomination for “Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center Blues.” Although he did not win that year, he subsequently received nominations for “The Carnegie Hall Performance,” “Anticipation,” “Stark Raving Black,” and “In God We Rust,” winning twice. Grammy wins and nominations typically boost an artist’s profile, leading to increased demand for their work and higher earning potential.
He guest-starred on “The Big Bang Theory” in 2009. Guest appearances on popular television shows can lead to increased visibility and potentially higher fees for subsequent projects. The exact amount Black earned for his appearance on “The Big Bang Theory” is not public information.
In 2012, the ACLU of Georgia honored Black with the National Civil Liberties Award, and the ACLU named him an “ambassador for voting rights” in 2013. While these honors do not directly increase his net worth, they elevate his public profile and can lead to opportunities to engage in advocacy work, public speaking, and other ventures that may be financially rewarding.
Early Career and Financial Beginnings
Lewis Black was born on August 30, 1948, in Washington, D.C. He attended Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park, before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC, he studied playwriting and was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi International fraternity. He earned his degree in 1970. While at UNC, Black engaged in playwriting, providing a foundation for his future career in comedy and performance. Exact details on his early earnings are not available.
After graduating, Black moved back to Washington, D.C., and took a job at the Appalachian Regional Commission. He began performing stand-up comedy at a local tavern called the Brickskeller. He later attended Yale School of Drama, graduating with an MFA degree in 1977. While working at the Appalachian Regional Commission, his earnings would have been modest. During this period he supplemented his income with performances at the Brickskeller. Exact financials are unavailable.
Black was the associate artistic director and playwright-in-residence at West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar in New York City. He worked on numerous one-act plays with artistic director Rand Foerster and lyricist Rusty Magee in the 1980s. His role at the West Bank Cafe involved writing and producing plays, which likely provided a modest income. He collaborated with lyricist Rusty Magee on the musical “The Czar of Rock and Roll,” which premiered at the Alley Theatre in Houston in 1990. Financial success details during this period are not accessible.
In the early 1990s, Lewis appeared on “An Evening at the Improv” several times. These appearances increased his visibility and likely contributed to his rising income. In 1998, he got his own “Comedy Central Presents” special, followed by additional specials in 2000 and 2002. Having a Comedy Central special significantly boosted his profile and led to higher-paying gigs. Exact financial details are not publicly available.
Film and Television Roles
Black made his acting debut in the 1986 film “Hannah and Her Sisters.” He appeared in “Jacob’s Ladder” (1990) and began a five-episode stint on the television series “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd.” He also appeared in the films “The Hard Way” (1991), “The Night We Never Met” (1993), and “Joey Breaker” (1993). He guest-starred on “Law & Order” (1991), “Homicide: Life on the Street” (1997), “Mad About You” (1997), “The Brak Show” (2003), and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2004). Specific information regarding his pay for these early roles is unavailable. However, it is known that actors’ salaries can vary significantly, with guest appearances often earning a few thousand dollars per episode.
In 2006, Lewis appeared in the films “Accepted,” “Man of the Year,” “Falling for Grace,” and “Unaccompanied Minors.” He voiced Jimmy in 2007’s “Farce of the Penguins” and narrated 2010’s “Peep World.” These roles helped solidify his presence in film and television. Pay for these roles would have depended on the production budget and his prominence as an actor at the time.
Black voiced Anger in the 2015 film “Inside Out.” Given the film’s enormous success, his role as Anger would have provided a significant boost to his income. While exact figures are not publicly available, voice actors in major animated films can command substantial fees, often ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He appeared in the films “Stereotypically You” (2015), “Better Off Single” (2016), “Imitation Girl” (2017), and “The Last Laugh” (2019). He lent his voice to several animated projects, including the film “Rock Dog” (2016), the TV movie “The Happy Elf” (2005), and the television series “Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law” (2005–2007), “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” (2010), “The Penguins of Madagascar” (2011), “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012; 2014), and “SpongeBob SquarePants” (2018). The exact earnings from these projects are not publicly known, but voice acting roles can generate royalties and residuals in addition to upfront fees.
He appeared in the 2013 documentary “Comedy Warriors: Healing through Humor,” and portrayed Gregory Perkins in the 2016 miniseries “Madoff.” These roles contribute to his income through salaries and potential residuals. However, detailed financial information is not available.
Comedy Specials and Albums
In 2002, he starred in the Comedy Central special “Taxed Beyond Belief” and the HBO special “Black on Broadway” in 2004. These specials significantly raised his profile and income. Typically, comedians receive an upfront fee plus a percentage of the profits for such specials. However, the exact financial details are not publicly accessible.
In 2007, he co-hosted Comedy Central’s “Last Laugh ’07” with Dave Attell and D.L. Hughley. Hosting gigs can bring substantial income and increase visibility. The exact financial details of this hosting role are not publicly known.
Black’s concert film “Stark Raving Black” was released in 2009. He hosted “Surviving the Holidays with Lewis Black” on the History Channel. He followed “Stark Raving Black” with the comedy specials/albums “In God We Rust” (2012), “Old Yeller” (2013), “Black to the Future” (2017), and “Thanks For Risking Your Life” (2020). These continued projects ensure a steady income through sales, streaming, and licensing agreements. Specific financial details are not public.
He has released more than a dozen comedy albums, including “The White Album” (2000), “Rules of Enragement” (2003), and “The Rant is Due” (2017). While specific sales data is not available, it is known that these albums generate revenue through sales, streaming royalties, and licensing for use in other media.
Legal Issues and Public Image
In 2000, Black, along with fellow stand-up comic Jim Norton and 13 others, was arrested after “The Opie and Anthony Show” hired The Voyeur Bus to drive around Manhattan and promote the show. Several topless women were on the bus, and it drove onto a street that had been cleared for Bill Clinton’s presidential motorcade. A police source said that the arrests were made because “it was creating a crowd condition…they were flashing everybody.” Black and Norton were released after “about 18 hours,” according to Black. While the arrest did not likely have a direct impact on his net worth, the publicity surrounding it may have raised his profile and led to increased visibility.
Black has performed on three USO tours to entertain the troops and has supported numerous charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Rusty Magee Clinic for Families and Health, and Fifty Second Street Project. These charitable activities enhance his public image and can create positive associations with his brand.
Awards and Recognition
Black won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic in 2001 and earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for “Lewis Black: Red, White and Screwed” in 2007. He has received five Grammy nominations for Best Comedy Album, winning for “The Carnegie Hall Performance” in 2007 and “Stark Raving Black” in 2011. These awards and nominations significantly boost his profile and can lead to increased demand for his work and higher earning potential. An Online Film & Television Association Award nomination for Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 2004, and he received a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Movie: Hissy Fit for “Inside Out” in 2015. He has earned five Behind the Voice Actors Award nominations, taking home the BTVA People’s Choice Voice Acting Award for Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role and Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film for “Inside Out.” The cast also won the BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film.
