How Ving Rhames Increased His Net Worth
Ving Rhames net worth is estimated at $25 million, a fortune amassed over a career spanning nearly four decades. Known for his deep, commanding voice and magnetic on-screen presence, Rhames has made his mark in Hollywood as a versatile actor, starring in blockbuster films, critically acclaimed dramas, television series, and lending his voice to animation and video games.
Rhames is best known for his roles as Marsellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction and Luther Stickell in the Mission: Impossible franchise, roles that solidified him as a household name and earned him international recognition. Beyond acting, he has worked as a voice actor and commercial spokesperson, further diversifying his income streams.
| Ving Rhames Net Worth | $25 Million |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1959 |
| Place of Birth | Harlem, New York |
Who Is Ving Rhames?
Ving Rhames, born Irving Rameses Rhames, is an American actor and voice artist with more than 130 film and television credits. With a career that includes iconic films, recurring franchise roles, and award-winning performances, Rhames is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most reliable and charismatic actors. His towering presence and resonant voice have become signature traits in film and television.
Early Life
Ving Rhames was born on May 12, 1959, in Harlem, New York. His mother, Reather, was a homemaker, and his father, Ernest, worked as an auto mechanic. Growing up in New York City, Rhames gravitated toward the performing arts and attended the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan, graduating in 1978.
He then enrolled at SUNY Purchase (State University of New York at Purchase), where fellow student Stanley Tucci gave him the nickname “Ving.” Later, Rhames transferred to Juilliard, joining the prestigious Drama Division, and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1983.
Acting Career
Rhames made his professional stage debut in 1984 in the Broadway play The Boys of Winter and appeared in the TV movie Go Tell It on the Mountain. Over the next decade, he took on guest roles in television series including:
- Miami Vice (1985, 1987)
- Crime Story (1986)
- Tour of Duty (1987)
- Spenser: For Hire (1988)
- The Equalizer (1989)
He also appeared in films like Native Son (1986), Patty Hearst (1988), and Casualties of War (1989), gradually building a strong foundation in both film and television.
Breakthrough with Pulp Fiction and Mission: Impossible
Rhames achieved international fame in 1994 when he portrayed Marsellus Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, a film that grossed $213.9 million worldwide. His performance became instantly iconic and cemented his place in Hollywood.
The same year, Rhames joined the Mission: Impossible franchise as Luther Stickell, a role he continues to reprise. The franchise has grossed over $4 billion worldwide, contributing significantly to Rhames’ net worth and earning him recurring income through sequels spanning more than two decades.
Notable Film and Television Work
Rhames’ career includes over 130 projects, spanning multiple genres:
- Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
- Striptease (1996)
- Rosewood (1997)
- Out of Sight (1998)
- Entrapment (1999)
- Don King: Only in America (1997, Golden Globe-winning role)
- Baby Boy (2001)
- Dawn of the Dead (2004)
- Idlewild (2006)
- I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007)
- Surrogates (2009)
He has also appeared in television series such as ER (1994–1996), The District (2002–2003), and Monday Mornings (2013).
Voice Work and Commercial Endorsements
Rhames has a distinctive voice, which he has used in animation, video games, and advertising:
- Voice of Cobra Bubbles in Lilo & Stitch (2002) and Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003)
- Video games: Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma (2003), Driver 3 (2004), Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
- Narrator for UFC and Super Bowl LI team introductions (2017)
- Spokesperson for Arby’s since 2014 (“We have the meats!”)
Ving Rhames Awards
- Golden Globe Award – Best Actor in a Miniseries/Movie Made for TV for Don King: Only in America (1998)
- Primetime Emmy nomination – Don King: Only in America
- Screen Actors Guild Award nominations
- NAACP Image Awards – multiple nominations
- Blockbuster Entertainment Award nomination – Entrapment (1999)
- Honored at ShoWest 2000 as Supporting Actor of the Year
He has also been recognized by festivals and critics for ensemble and individual performances throughout his career.
Ving Rhames Salary
While precise salary details are often private, Rhames’ pay for major films like Mission: Impossible and Pulp Fiction has been substantial. Franchise roles and recurring character appearances in sequels likely contribute a significant portion of his $25 million net worth. In addition, his voiceover work for commercials and video games provides ongoing revenue.
Personal Life
Rhames married Valerie Scott in 1994; they divorced in 1999. He married Deborah Reed on Christmas Day, 2000, and they have two children: Reignbeau (born 2000) and Freedom (born 2002). He is also stepfather to Tiffany, Reed’s daughter from a previous relationship.
Rhames has been involved in several notable real-life events, including reuniting with his estranged brother, Junior, a homeless Army veteran, in 1993. He has openly discussed his efforts to support his family and community.
Real Estate
Ving Rhames has invested heavily in real estate, primarily in Los Angeles:
- 2000: Purchased a 10,613 sq ft estate for $4.75 million
- 2005: Purchased neighboring home for $6.5 million; sold in 2010 for $5.52 million
- Brentwood, Mar Vista, and La Canada Flintridge properties also bought and sold profitably
These real estate ventures have contributed to both his net worth and financial security.
Ving Rhames Net Worth
Ving Rhames net worth is estimated to be $25 million.