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What Is Paul Mooney Net Worth
At the time of his death in May 2021, Paul Mooney, a multifaceted American comedian, writer, social critic, and actor, possessed a net worth of approximately $500,000. This figure reflects his decades-long career in entertainment, spanning various roles from comedy writing to acting in television and film. His financial standing was a culmination of earnings from writing for prominent comedians, acting roles in films, stand-up performances, and other media appearances.
Early Career and Comedy Writing Contributions
Paul Mooney’s journey into the world of comedy began unconventionally with a stint as a ringmaster for the Gatti-Charles Circus. During this period, Mooney honed his comedic skills and began writing jokes, setting the stage for his future career. His writing career officially started in the 1970s. In 1972, he contributed to three episodes of Redd Foxx’s television sitcom, “Sanford and Son.” Two years later, in 1974, he wrote for the sitcom “Good Times”. These early credits demonstrate his entry into television writing and his ability to craft comedic material for popular shows. Mooney’s work on these shows not only provided him with initial income but also established his reputation as a talented comedy writer.
Mooney’s collaboration with Richard Pryor significantly shaped his career. One notable instance occurred in 1975 when Mooney wrote for Pryor’s “Saturday Night Live” episode. Subsequently, he contributed to “The Richard Pryor Show,” further solidifying their partnership. In the 1980s, Mooney continued to work with Pryor, writing for the children’s series “Pryor’s Place,” co-writing the comedy album “Live on the Sunset Strip,” and co-writing the screenplay for the film “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling.” Although the specific financial details of these writing contracts remain undisclosed, his association with Pryor provided him with consistent income and industry recognition. The financial success of “Live on the Sunset Strip,” which achieved platinum status (selling over one million copies), likely generated royalties for Mooney as a co-writer.
In the 1990s, Mooney took on the role of head writer for the first season of Keenen Ivory Wayans’s sketch comedy show “In Living Color.” The financial terms of this position, including his salary and any potential royalties or residuals, are not publicly available. However, serving as the head writer for a successful show like “In Living Color” would have undoubtedly contributed significantly to his income and net worth during that period. He wrote some episodes of “Chappelle’s Show” in 2003, and wrote his own short-lived series, “Judge Mooney,” in 2004.
Acting Career and Film Appearances
Paul Mooney’s acting career included appearances in several films, each contributing differently to his overall income. In 1977, he acted alongside Richard Pryor in “Which Way is Up?”. Four years later, he appeared in “Bustin’ Loose,” further cementing his presence in the film industry. In between those two films, he portrayed singer-songwriter Sam Cooke in the biographical drama “The Buddy Holly Story.” In 1987, Mooney played the president of the NAACP in the Eddie Murphy-starring satire “Hollywood Shuffle”.
In the 1990s, Mooney expanded his acting portfolio with roles in the war comedy “In the Army Now,” starring Pauly Shore and Andy Dick, and the comedy “High Freakquency,” starring John Witherspoon and Marcus Chong. In 2000, Mooney played the father of Damon Wayans’s character in Spike Lee’s satire “Bamboozled.” While the specific salaries Mooney earned for each film are not publicly documented, these roles provided him with additional income streams. Starring in “In the Army Now” grossed $28.7 million at the box office, so he would have likely received a salary commensurate with the film’s success.
Mooney’s acting career also included television appearances, notably on “Chappelle’s Show,” where he portrayed the character Negrodamus. He later had his own show, “Judge Mooney.” He also appeared as a Klansman in the 2016 black comedy horror film “Meet the Blacks.”
Stand-up Releases and Other Media Appearances
Paul Mooney ventured into stand-up comedy releases, including the albums “Race” and “Master Piece” in the 1990s. In the 2000s, he released stand-up comedy DVDs such as “Analyzing White America,” “Know Your History: Jesus is Black; So Was Cleopatra,” and “It’s the End of the World.” The sales figures and royalties earned from these releases are not publicly available. Stand-up comedy albums and DVDs generally generate income through sales, streaming royalties, and licensing fees. Although the precise financial impact of these releases on Mooney’s net worth remains unspecified, they contributed to his overall revenue stream during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Mooney hosted the BET special “25 Most @#%! Moments in Black History” for Black History Month in 2006. He also appeared in documentaries such as “F.T.A.” (1972), “Bitter Jester,” “The N-Word,” and “Good Hair.” These media appearances provided Mooney with income and exposure. Although the exact compensation for these appearances is not known, his participation in such projects added to his earnings. Hosting a BET special, in particular, would likely have generated a significant fee. The documentary “Good Hair” grossed $4.1 million at the box office. So Mooney would have most likely benefited financially from its success.
Memoir and Personal Life
In 2007, Mooney released his memoir, “Black is the New White,” which focused on his partnership with Richard Pryor, his childhood, and career moments. The book’s sales figures and royalties are not publicly available. Typically, authors earn royalties based on a percentage of book sales, which can contribute to their income. While the precise financial gains from “Black is the New White” are not specified, the memoir would have added to Mooney’s overall earnings.
Paul Mooney was married to his wife Yvonne in 1973, and they had three children: Spring, Shane, and Symeon. Mooney also had twin sons named Daryl and Dwayne from a prior marriage. In 2001, his son Symeon was killed. Mooney’s family life and personal experiences influenced his work and public persona. Mooney was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2014. Mooney died of a heart attack in May of 2021 at the age of 79.
