Have you ever wondered how much money famous actors actually make?
We all hear stories of the biggest movie stars making millions of dollars for each movie. However, there are plenty of talented actors who barely manage to scrape a living.
Although he has yet to reach the lofty heights of celebrities like Denzel Washington, Morris Chestnut is a household name. In addition to making his fortune as an actor, the celebrity established a lucrative car dealership. So, let’s take a closer look at the Morris Chestnut net worth and discover how the celebrity made his millions.
Contents
Early Life
Morris Chestnut was born in 1969 in Cerritos, California. His father was a medical salesman, and his mother was a teacher. After graduating from Gahr High, he enrolled at Long Beach City College.
He then attended California State University, Northridge, where he studied drama and finance. He worked briefly as a bank teller after graduating from university. However, he quickly realized that a career in finance was not for him and decided to pursue one in acting.
Career
Morris Chestnut landed his first professional acting role in 1990. He appeared as Jason in season 2 of Freddy’s Nightmares – A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series. Although this was a relatively small role, it helped to launch his professional acting career.
Boyz n the Hood
Just a year later, he landed his first major movie role as Ricky Baker in Boyz n the Hood. He starred alongside Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding Jr., and the movie was an instant hit. It gave him the opportunity to learn his craft from the two seasoned actors and helped take his career to the next level.
The Best Man
He starred as a professional football player in The Best Man in 1999. He starred alongside Nia Long and Taye Diggs and gained numerous positive reviews. He also played an athlete in several other roles, including Like Mike in 2002 and The Game Plan in 2007.
Morris Chestnut is also known for his roles in big-budget action movies. He has played opposite Steven Seagal in three movies, including Under Siege 2: Dark Territory in 1995. He also played the role of the main villain in Half Past Dead in 2002.
Nurse Jackie
This popular television series showed that the actor also has a talent for comedy roles. He joined the show in 2013 and played the role of Dr. Ike Prentiss. His performance proved to be very popular and led to a series of other comedic roles.
Other acting roles of note include:
- 1992 to 1993 – Out All Night
- 1994 – Living Single
- 1997 – G.I. Jane
- 1997 to 1998 – C-16: FBI
- 2000 – ER
- 2001 – The Brothers
- 2004 – Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid
- 2004 – Ladder 49
- 2009 to 2011 – V
- 2011 – American Horror Story
- 2013 – Identity Thief
- 2013- Kick-Ass 2
- 2013 – The Best Man Holiday
- 2014 to 2015 – Legends
- 2015 – Heist
- 2019 to 2021 – The Resident
- 2021 – Our Kind of People
- 2022 – The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Endorsements and Business Ventures
The actor has endorsed a number of brands over the years. This includes AT&T, Lincoln, CoverGirl cosmetics, and Pepsi. These deals have netted him hundreds of thousands of dollars and are a testimony to his appeal and influence. He also served as a sponsored poker player for Full Tilt Poker.
Claremont Hyundai
Morris Chestnut is also known as a smart entrepreneur and has several business ventures. He is the co-owner of Claremont Hyundai, which is part of Martin Automotive Group. He owns the company with Michael Martin, who has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive dealership business. This profitable business has earned the actor millions of dollars over the years.
Product Lines
The actor is known for his sharp dress sense and is the face of the fashion line Morris Chestnut Seduction. He has a top-selling perfume called With Love from Morris and his own brand of vodka called Pure Wonderchestnut. He also owns several restaurants in Washington that are part of the Fat Chestnut Burger chain.
Cerritos Angels
Morris Chestnut is known for being a sports fan and has turned his passion into a lucrative venture. He is the owner of the Cerritos Angels college football team. As owner, he has arranged a number of sponsorship deals for the team, which have also helped grow his wealth.
Book
Morris Chestnut is also noted for his chiseled features and muscular physique. In 2017, he published the book The Cut: Lose Up to 10 Pounds in 10 Days and Sculpt Your Best Body. The book reveals how he got back into shape with the help of celebrity fitness trainer Obi Obadike.
He trained extensively to prepare for his role as the football player Lance Sullivan in The Best Man Holiday. Under the guidance of Obi Obadike, he dropped from 220 pounds to 187 pounds in twelve weeks. The book features weight loss recipes and exercise drills and was co-written with Obadike.
Awards and Achievements
Morris Chestnut was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022. A star was unveiled in his presence on March 23 of that year to mark the occasion. The veteran actor received the 2,617th star.
Other awards and achievements of note include:
- 1998 – Madden Bowl video game competition winner
- 2014 – Acapulco Black Film Festival Acapulco Black Film Festival Award (Best Acting Ensemble)
- 2015 – People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive
- 2000 – NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series)
- 2023 – NAACP Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series, or Dramatic Special
Personal Life
The actor married Pam Byse-Chestnut in 1995. The couple have two children together; Grant and Paige. Their son Grant was born in 1997 and is also an actor. Paige was born in 1998 and has embarked on a successful modeling career.
Morris Chestnut is a practicing Christian. He was raised in the Baptist church and plays an active role in the local Baptist community. He can often be seen attending sermons and Baptist events with his wife.
Real Estate
The actor has invested heavily in real estate over the years. His first major purchase was in 2002 when he purchased a mansion in the exclusive Mountain View Estates. He bought the five-bedroom mansion for $1,449,000 and sold it in 2007 for $2,100,000.
He purchased a second property in Granada Hills for a reported $707,000. This spacious home covers 3,779 square feet and sits on 1.52 acres of land. He sold the property a year later for $720,000, which clearly shows that he has an eye for real estate.
He paid $3.3 million in 2007 for a hilltop mansion in Hidden Hills, California, after selling his first home. This impressive property covers 5,552 square feet and boasts six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The expansive grounds come complete with a huge swimming pool, horse stables, and fruit trees.
Most recently, the actor purchased a mansion in Calabasas, California, for a reported $2.44 million. The property covers 6,610 square feet and features six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The property was purchased in 2020, and this is currently his main home.
Car Collection
It is no secret that the actor has a love for luxury cars and considers himself to be an expert. He has posed for numerous photo shoots with his sleek black Rolls Royce. The vehicle has been customized to his specifications and boasts Asanti wheels. He is also the proud owner of a 1968 Lincoln Continental.
Net Worth and Salary
The actor is believed to have a net worth of around $6 million. The majority of this wealth comes from his numerous acting roles. However, he also has a number of other revenue streams, including investments.
A large part of his annual income also comes from speaking at live events. His standard booking fee for speaking at conferences and other events is between $50,000 and $100,000. This type of work alone brings him hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
Highest-earning movie
The actor has appeared in several major movies over the years. The most profitable of these to date is Identity Thief, which was released in 2013. He played the role of Detective Reilly alongside Jon Favreau, Sandy Patterson, Melissa McCarthy, and Amanda Pee. While the budget for the movie was $35 million, it earned $174 at the box office.
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Ok, back to…
Final Thoughts
Currently, Morris Chestnut is estimated to have a net worth of around $6 million.
While he is known for his stunning physique, he has proven that he’s more than just a pretty face. After scoring his first television role, he won a role in a hit movie almost straight away. He has appeared in numerous popular movies and television shows and is now a household name.
The actor has also built his own brand and is known for being an excellent public speaker. He has made a number of smart investment decisions over the years and even co-created his own company. His smart business decisions and his commitment to his image have helped his impressive fortune to grow.
And long may it continue to do so!
FAQs
1. What was Morris Chestnut’s breakout role?
Morris Chestnut’s breakout role was in the 1991 movie “Boyz n the Hood,” where he played the role of Ricky Baker. The role earned him critical acclaim and was the beginning of his successful acting career.
2. What other TV shows has Morris Chestnut appeared in besides “Rosewood”?
Morris Chestnut has appeared in several other TV shows, including “American Horror Story,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Legends,” “V,” and “Out All Night.”
3. How did Morris Chestnut get into fitness?
Morris Chestnut has always been interested in fitness and staying in shape. He began working out regularly in his teens and has continued to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout his career.
4. How many movies has Morris Chestnut appeared in?
Morris Chestnut has appeared in over 40 movies, including “Boyz n the Hood,” “The Best Man,” “Ladder 49,” “The Perfect Guy,” and “The Resident.”
5. Has Morris Chestnut won any awards for his acting?
Morris Chestnut has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including a Daytime Emmy for his role in “Out All Night.” However, he has not won any major awards.
6. Does Morris Chestnut have any other business ventures besides acting?
Morris Chestnut has invested in real estate over the years and has written a book on health and fitness titled “The Cut: Lose Up to 10 Pounds in 10 Days and Sculpt Your Best Body.”
7. How many kids does Morris Chestnut have?
Morris Chestnut has two children, a son named Grant and a daughter named Paige, with his wife Pam Byse.
8. What are Morris Chestnut’s future acting projects?
Morris Chestnut has several projects in the works, including a recurring role in the TV series “The Resident” and the lead role in the upcoming movie “Blackout.”
In conclusion, Morris Chestnut is a successful actor who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. With an estimated net worth of $8 million, he has accumulated his wealth through his long career in acting, real estate investments, and writing books on health and fitness. Chestnut’s career has been marked with many successful movies and TV shows, and he has inspired many people with his work. His success and impact in the entertainment industry make him a true icon.