What is Wesley Snipes Net Worth and Salary?
Wesley Snipes is an American actor, film producer, and martial artist who has experienced a fluctuating financial journey over the years. While he reached the height of his career in the 1990s and earned tens of millions of dollars in film salaries at his peak, he encountered significant financial challenges due to tax evasion. As a result, his net worth currently stands at negative $9 million.
Wesley Snipes' legal battle with the IRS revealed that he earned a total income of $37.9 million between 1996 and 2004. During this period, he failed to pay any taxes and even claimed false refunds amounting to $12 million. These actions led to a lengthy court battle and ultimately resulted in Wesley serving a prison sentence for nearly 900 days. Additionally, he owed $17 million in back taxes, interests, and penalties, which was later reduced to $9.5 million.
How Much Does Russ Bray, the Voice of Darts, Get Paid? Discover His Salary and Net Worth Now!Early Life
Wesley Snipes, born Wesley Trent Snipes on July 31st, 1962, grew up in New York City after being born in Florida. He began training in martial arts at the age of 12 and has achieved a 5th-degree black belt in Shotkan karate and a 2nd-degree black belt in Hapkido. Snipes attended the famous Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art, and Performing in New York City but completed high school in Orlando, Florida. He went on to attend the State University of New York at Purchase and Southwest College in Los Angeles.
Early Career
Wesley Snipes' early career took off after he moved to Los Angeles for college. He secured roles in notable films such as Wildcats and gained attention through a guest appearance on Miami Vice and his role as Michael Jackson's nemesis in the music video for "Bad." Director Spike Lee noticed Snipes' talent and cast him in films like Jungle Fever and Mo' Better Blues. Snipes often portrayed drug dealers or crime lords, showcasing his range in movies like New Jack City, Sugar Hill, and Kings of New York.
Mainstream Success
After establishing himself as a versatile actor, Snipes shifted towards action films, where he could showcase his martial arts skills. He starred in action-packed movies like Passenger 57, Money Train, The Fan, U.S. Marshals, Rising Sun, Demolition Man, and White Men Can't Jump. Snipes also demonstrated his comedic abilities in films such as To Wong Foo. However, his most significant commercial success came from the Blade trilogy, consisting of Blade, Blade II, and Blade: Trinity.
Discover the Surprising Fortune of TV Legend Chuck Connors – You Won't Believe His Wealth!
(Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)
Notable Salaries
During his career, Wesley Snipes earned significant sums from his film roles. Between 1996 and 2004, he accumulated $37.9 million in total income. Here are some of his notable known film salaries:
Discover the Astonishing Wealth of Tom Wilkinson: How Much Is the Acclaimed Actor Really Worth?- Drop Zone (1994) - $7 million
- Money Train (1995) - $5.5 million
- The Fan (1996) - $7 million
- Blade: Trinity (2004) - $13 million
Tax Issues and Prison
In 2006, Wesley Snipes faced charges of tax evasion, conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, and making false claims for payment. He was accused of filing fraudulent tax returns seeking refunds in the tens of millions of dollars. Snipes also failed to file tax returns from 1999 to 2004, despite earning $37.9 million during that period. While he was acquitted of felony charges, he was found guilty of three misdemeanor charges for failing to file tax returns.
As a result, Wesley Snipes served three years in prison and was released in 2013. He was also required to pay $17 million in back taxes, interest, and penalties. Over the years, Snipes continued to dispute his debt, offering settlements and claiming a lack of resources to make payments. The final amount was eventually set at $9.5 million. The current status of his debt remains uncertain.
New Jersey Mansion
In 2002, Wesley Snipes purchased a 10,000 square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, for $5.6 million. However, he faced financial issues related to the property, including owing $70,000 in back property taxes. In 2014, Snipes sold the mansion for $3.5 million, resulting in a significant loss.
Unlock the Riches: Dive Into Charlie McDowell's Surprising Net Worth Journey!Life After Release From Prison
Following his release, Wesley Snipes resumed his acting career with roles in films like The Expendables 3, Chi-Raq, Dolemite is My Name, Cut Throat City, Coming 2 America, and Back on the Strip.
Involvement in Martial Arts
Aside from his acting career, Wesley Snipes has a deep involvement in martial arts. He holds a fifth-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, a second-degree black belt in Hapkido, and has training in Capoeira, Shaolin Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and kickboxing.
Projects Outside of Acting
Wesley Snipes has ventured into other business endeavors beyond acting. He founded his own security firm, focused on providing security services to VIPs. The company prioritizes hiring personnel with law enforcement and martial arts backgrounds. Snipes also established his film production company, which has produced documentaries such as A Great and Mighty Walk: Dr. John Henrik Clarke. Additionally, he authored the book "Talon of God," published in 2017.
Discover the Surprising Fortune of Maurice Benard: How Much Is the Soap Opera Legend Really Worth?Personal Life
Wesley Snipes has been married twice. His first wife is April Snipes, with whom he has a son. In 2003, he married Nikki Park, a painter, and they have four children together. Although Snipes was raised as a Christian, he converted to Islam in 1978 but later left the religion. He also experienced a close call during the 9/11 attacks, as his New York City apartment was destroyed while he was on the West Coast.
Leave a Reply