Chris Rock Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Chris Rock’s Net Worth and Salary?

American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director Chris Rock boasts a net worth of $60 million. Although his net worth could be significantly higher, a divorce settlement with his wife of two decades, Malaak Compton, cost him tens of millions—reportedly around $40 million. They ended their marriage in 2016 after 20 years together. In the subsequent section, we will highlight that Chris ranks among the highest earners in the comedy scene, having engaged in stand-up for more than forty years. Currently, he can make tens of millions from a single stand-up special. According to a poll by Comedy Central, he was named the fifth-greatest stand-up comedian of all time.

Rock initially captured a broad audience through “Saturday Night Live” during the early 1990s, although he had already been performing stand-up and taking on minor roles for several years. Today, he stands out as one of the most recognized comedic actors globally, appearing in films like “The Longest Yard” (2005), the “Madagascar” series (2005-2012), and “Grown Ups” (2010).

Some of Rock’s highest-grossing films at the worldwide box office include:

• Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012) – $746 million
• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) – $603 million
• Grown Ups (2010) – $271 million
• Grown Ups 2 (2013) – $247 million
• Madagascar (2005) – $532 million

As the voice of Marty the Zebra in all four Madagascar films, which achieved commercial success, Rock also starred in the Grown Ups franchise. He co-wrote these movies with Adam Sandler, and despite mixed critical reviews, they were well-received by audiences. Furthermore, Chris created and produced the semi-autobiographical sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris,” which aired for 88 episodes between 2005 and 2009.

Highest Paid Comedian

While on tour, Chris continually ranks among the world’s highest-paid comedians. For instance, he made roughly $60 million from June 2016 to June 2017, allowing him to be recognized as the top-paid comedian globally. From June 2017 to June 2018, Chris earned an additional $30 million.

Netflix Special Payday

On October 30, 2016, Netflix revealed the upcoming release of two stand-up specials featuring Rock. He was compensated $40 million for this deal ($20 million per special). The first special, titled “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” debuted on February 14, 2018, marking his first concert special in a decade. On March 4, 2023, Chris launched a third Netflix special, “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” which was performed live in Baltimore and streamed worldwide.

Early Life and Career

Christopher Julius Rock was born on February 7, 1965, in Andrews, South Carolina. Shortly after his birth, Rock and his family moved to Brooklyn, New York, ultimately settling in Bedford-Stuyvesant after another relocation. Growing up, he attended schools predominantly in white neighborhoods, which subjected him to significant bullying and harassment from his peers. The situation worsened to the point where he dropped out of high school and earned his GED while working in fast-food jobs.

Rock took his first steps into stand-up comedy in 1984 at Catch a Rising Star in New York City. While performing, he gradually gained recognition, securing a few roles, including one in the series “Miami Vice.” It was during these formative years that Eddie Murphy spotted Rock performing at a nightclub, befriended him, and offered mentorship. Murphy eventually cast Rock in his first film role in “Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987).

Saturday Night Live and Comedy

Success

In 1990, Rock became part of the Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast. Alongside fellow newcomers Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, they earned the nickname the Bad Boys of SNL. His debut comedy album, “Born Suspect,” premiered in 1991. That same year, he garnered acclaim for his role as an addict in the film “New Jack City.”

Two years later, Rock departed from SNL to feature in its prime-time competitor, the predominantly African-American sketch show “In Living Color.” However, he appeared in just six episodes, as the series was canceled a month after his arrival. Following this, Rock both wrote and starred in the comedy “CB4,” which was created on a budget of $6 million but grossed $18 million.

In 1994, Rock launched his first HBO special, “Big Ass Jokes,” but it was the subsequent special in 1996, “Bring the Pain,” that brought him two Emmy Awards and established him as one of America’s top comedians. He gained additional fame as a commentator on “Politically Incorrect” on Comedy Central during the 1996 United States Presidential Elections, leading to another Emmy nomination.

His HBO specials “Bigger & Blacker” (1999) and “Never Scared” (2004) received accolades from Time and Entertainment Weekly, declaring him “the funniest man in America.” HBO also featured his own talk show, “The Chris Rock Show,” where he interviewed celebrities and politicians, earning an Emmy for writing. Other notable projects from this era include his Grammy Award-winning comedy albums “Roll with the New,” “Bigger & Blacker,” and “Never Scared.” Rock’s fifth HBO special, “Kill the Messenger,” debuted in September 2008, winning him another Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety or music program.

Film Career

Due to the acclaim from his comedy career, Rock secured lead roles in films like “Down to Earth” (2001), “Bad Company” (2002), “The Longest Yard” (2005), “Death at a Funeral” (2010), “Grown Ups” (2010), and “2 Days in New York” (2012). He also lent his voice to Marty the Zebra in three entries of the “Madagascar” animated film series. After portraying Milton King in the 2022 film “Amsterdam,” Rock is slated to play Roy Wilkins in the upcoming biographical drama “Rustin.”

Beyond acting, Rock has also embraced writing and directing. He wrote, directed, and starred in “Head of State” (2003), “I Think I Love My Wife” (2007), and the critically acclaimed “Top Five” (2014). Additionally, he produced a documentary in 2009 called “Good Hair,” exploring the perceptions and history of African American women’s hairstyles.

Other Projects and Ventures

In addition to his work as a writer and director, Rock has also delved into television production. He served as the executive producer and narrator for the comedy series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which premiered on UPN in 2005 before moving to The CW, where it concluded its final season in 2009. The show was largely inspired by Rock’s personal experiences as a teenager and received multiple nominations.

In 2006, Rock garnered recognition for his work with nominations for the Golden Globe for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy), a People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Television Comedy, and two Emmy Awards for achievements in costuming and cinematography. Additionally, he produced the series “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” in 2012.

Utilizing his extensive experience in comedy performance, Rock hosted the Academy Awards not just once but twice: the 77^th edition in 2005 and the 88^th in 2016. Proudly identified as “a dedicated cannabis consumer,” he made an investment in the California-based cannabis brand, Lowell Herb Co., in August 2019.

Will Smith Slap

You may recall that in March 2022, during the Academy Awards, Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped Chris in response to a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett. For nearly an entire year, Chris refrained from addressing this incident publicly until his live Netflix special aired on March 4, 2023, during which he sharply criticized both Jada and Will Smith.

Personal Life

Chris Rock wed Malaak Compton-Rock on November 23, 1996. The couple resided in New Jersey with their two daughters, born in 2002 and 2004. In December 2014, he announced his decision to file for divorce, citing infidelity and a struggle with porn addiction. The divorce proceedings concluded in 2016, with Chris reportedly required to pay approximately $40 million in real estate and liquid assets to his ex-wife.

Reports in July 2022 indicated that Chris Rock had entered into a relationship with actress, screenwriter, and director Lake Bell.

Real Estate

While working on SNL in 1994, Chris purchased a home in Brooklyn, New York. After living there for two years, he relocated to the suburbs with his then-new wife, Malaak. He subsequently rented the Brooklyn property for $8,000 a month until he listed it on the market for $3.25 million in 2017. Post-divorce, Malaak stayed in the family’s expansive 13,000-square-foot mansion located in Alpine, New Jersey, which the couple had acquired in 2001 for $3 million.