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Comedians

John Melendez Net Worth

Emmy Wallin

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John Melendez Net Worth

What is John Melendez’s net worth? 

Net Worth:$500 Thousand
Age:59
Born:October 4, 1965
Gender:Male
Height:1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Television Writer
Last Updated:May 31, 2025

Introduction 

John Melendez is an American radio personality and comedian with an estimated net worth of $500 Thousand. 

 

Before Wealth & Fame

Growing up in New York, John Melendez suffered from OCD and was often bullied while attending Plainedge High School. He later studied film at New York University and joined a music band called Rock Slide. Melendez’s roommate in college, Mitch Fatel, had been interning at The Howard Stern Show, but he mentioned to Melendez that he was considering quitting. John requested a recommendation, which is how he first became involved with the show.

 

The Howard Stern Show Salary

In the early days of working on The Howard Stern Show, John Melendez was reportedly paid $20,000/year. In recent years, amidst the Sirius XM Radio lawsuit, Melendez claimed he received an average annual salary of $35,000 while working with Stern. If that is the case, Melendez would have earned just $560,000 in his sixteen years working on the show. 

 

Sirius XM Radio Lawsuit

Melendez encountered a legal defeat in his 2020 lawsuit against Sirius XM. Melendez claimed the network improperly used his name, voice, and likeness from archived show recordings to promote Howard Stern’s channels without his approval.

After leaving Stern’s show in 2004, he filed the lawsuit in 2020, seeking $5 million in damages for what he alleged was the unauthorized exploitation of his identity. This dispute stemmed from Sirius XM airing old recordings of Melendez’s appearances on the Howard Stern Show as part of their $500 million deal with Stern in 2006. Melendez claimed that Sirius XM profited from his work without his consent or compensation, but the court ruled that the recordings were protected under federal copyright law.

Although the lawsuit was dismissed in 2021, Melendez appealed the decision, arguing that the copyright protections did not extend to using his identity for promotional purposes. However, in 2022, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal, reinforcing that Sirius XM’s use of the recordings was lawful under their agreement with Stern. This marked the end of Melendez’s legal attempts to seek damages for the alleged exploitation.

 

Real Estate

In October 2005, John Melendez paid $2.57 million for a 6,484-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Calabasas, California. The property features walk-in closets, an outdoor pool, and a miniature putting green. In August 2008, Melendez listed the property for sale with an asking price of $3.4 million. The listing was quickly removed, but three years later, the house was sold for just $2.725 million. 

 

Highlights

Here are some of the best highlights of John Melendez’s career:

  • The Howard Stern Show (1988 – 2004)
  • Airheads (Movie, 1994)
  • Bayway Nights (Movie, 1996) 
  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2004-2014) 
  • The Stuttering John Podcast (2018) 

What do you think about John Melendez’s net worth? Leave a comment below. 

Emmy Wallin is a writer for Wealthy Gorilla. She is a young Swedish girl from Uppsala, who is currently traveling around the world. Emmy has a big passion for helping others and motivating people. Emmy has been studying celebrities careers, biographies, lifestyles, and net worths for over 3 years. She is the face behind the net worth profiles here on Wealthy Gorilla.

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Comedians

Eddie Murphy Net Worth

Emmy Wallin

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Eddie Murphy Net Worth

What is Eddie Murphy’s net worth?

Net Worth:$200 Million
Box Office Gross:$6.15 Billion
Age:64
Born:April 3, 1961
Height:1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Professional Comedian/Actor
Last Updated:May 30, 2025

Eddie Murphy is a professional actor and stand-up comedian, with an estimated net worth of $200 Million.

While Murphy’s career began in the 1980s as a stand-up comedian, it didn’t take long for him to start earning millions as an actor. Some of Murphy’s most significant movie salaries include earning $52 million for The Beverley Hills Cop tetralogy, and $28 million for the Shrek movies.

Between acting and comedy, Murphy is estimated to have earned between $300 million and $400 million during his career. He was once one of the top ten highest-grossing actors at the global box office. Eddie’s net worth is the result of over four decades of earning 7-figure and 8-figure sums for his work.

 

Acting & Comedy Career

Eddie Murphy's Career

Murphy began his career as a comedian in 1981 on NBC’s popular late-night comedy show ‘ Saturday Night Fever’. He started to perform periodically on the show after one night, when a few minutes of airtime were left without any content, and he was asked to fill it with his stand-up performance.

His successful performance was delightful, and he became one of the foremost comedians on the show. Murphy created memorable characters, such as Mister Robinson, an urban version of TV’s Mister Rogers, and Tyrone Green, an illiterate convict and poet. Murphy had his debut film performance in 1982 when he starred in ’48 Hours’.

Two years later, Murphy’s performance in the film ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ made him a worldwide superstar, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for the movie. His next successful movie was a romantic comedy, ‘Coming to America’, with Arsenio Hall, which also became a huge success.

In 1996, Murphy appeared in the comedy ‘The Nutty Professor’, which was a success at the box office. He also voiced the role of the donkey in the ‘Shrek’ movie franchise. Murphy’s next performance was in the 2006 movie ‘Dreamgirls’. However, after that, he appeared in movies including ‘Meet Dave’, ‘Imagine That’, and ‘Tower Heist’.

 

Earnings History

YearEarnings
1991$42,000,000
1992$30,000,000
1993$17,000,000
1994$13,000,000
1996$25,000,000
1997$24,000,000
1998$47,500,000
1999$48,000,000
Total$246,500,000

While we will cover Eddie Murphy’s film salaries in more detail later in this article, we also provide estimates for his total income from all endeavors for the years between 1991 and 1999. During this period, Murphy was consistently ranked among the highest-paid comedians in the world, typically earning between $25 million and $48 million per year. He earned an estimated $246.5 million in total throughout the decade.

 

Film Earnings

YearProjectSalary
198248 hrs.$450,000
1983Trading Places$1,000,000
1984Best Defense$1,000,000
1984Beverly Hills Cop$14,000,000
1987Beverly Hills Cop II$8,000,000
1988Coming to America$8,000,000
1990Another 48 hrs.$7,000,000
1994Beverly Hills Cop III$15,000,000
1996The Nutty Professor$16,000,000
1998Doctor Dolittle$17,500,000
2000Nutty Professor II: The Klumps$20,000,000
2001Dr. Dolittle 2$20,000,000
2001Shrek$3,350,000
2002The Adventures of Pluto Nash$20,000,000
2004Shrek 2$10,000,000
2007Shrek the Third$11,000,000
2010Shrek Forever After$4,000,000
2011Tower Heist$7,500,000
2024Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F$15,000,000
Total Calculated Earnings:$198,800,000

Earliest Film Salaries

The earliest recorded paycheck of Eddie Murphy’s career was $450,000 for starring in 48 hrs. (1982). However, the following year, he began commanding salaries of seven figures per film role. Murphy earned $1 million a piece for starring in Trading Places (1983) and Best Defense (1984). 

 

Beverly Hills Cop Salary

Murphy quickly went from earning $1 million per film to an impressive $14 million for starring in the first Beverly Hills Cop film in 1984. The franchise was an instant hit, initially spawning a second and third installment in 1987 and 1994. For Beverly Hills Cop II, Murphy was reportedly paid $8 million, followed by $15 million for Beverly Hills Cop III. For the 2024 reboot, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Eddie earned an estimated $15 million. This would bring his total for all four films to approximately $52 million.

 

Comedy Film Salaries

In between the Beverly Hills Cop films, Eddie Murphy starred in numerous comedy hits, earning as much as $20 million per film. In 1988, he was reportedly paid $8 million for starring in Coming to America. Next came The Nutty Professor and The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, earning him $16 million and $20 million, respectively.

The Doctor Dolittle series was also another smash hit, earning Murphy $17.5 million for the first installment and $20 million for Dr. Dolittle 2.

 

Shrek Salary

When Eddie Murphy began his iconic voiceover role as Donkey in 2001’s Shrek, he earned a reported salary of $3.35 million. He was paid approximately $10 million for Shrek 2, $12 million for Shrek the Third, and $4 million for Shrek Forever After. However, for the latter, he was reportedly given a share of the backend, which could have brought his total earnings closer to that of the second and third. Overall, Murphy is estimated to have earned at least $29.35 million from the Shrek franchise.

 

Highest-Paying Franchises

Now that we’ve covered Eddie Murphy’s film salaries, here’s a quick breakdown of his estimated earnings per franchise:

  1. Beverly Hills Cop – $52 million
  2. Doctor Dolittle – $37.5 million
  3. The Nutty Professor – $36 million
  4. Shrek – $29.35 million

 

Highest-Grossing Movies

When Murphy landed the role of Donkey in the Shrek franchise, little did he know it would lead to some of his biggest box-office successes. What’s interesting about Murphy’s list is that, other than the Shrek films, all the films on the list are from the 20th century. In fact, three of Murphy’s ten highest-grossing films were released in the 1980s.

Murphy starred in all four Shrek films, grossing a combined $2.99 billion at the worldwide box office, with Shrek 2 performing the best at $932 million. Shrek the Third came in second place with $813 million, and Shrek Forever After grossed $753 million. The original 2001 installment grossed $489 million globally. It’s worth noting that the original film had a production budget of just $60 million, compared to the other three films, which had budgets ranging from $150 million to $165 million each.

The three films from the ’80s that still remain on Murphy’s highest-grossing list include Beverly Hills Cop ($316 million), Beverly Hills Cop II ($300 million), and Coming to America ($289 million). From the 1990s, Mulan grossed $304 million, Doctor Dolittle scored $294 million, and The Nutty Professor earned $274 million.

Beverly Hills Cop produced the highest return on investment of any film on the list, grossing $316 million worldwide on a production budget of just $13 million.

Here’s a complete list of Eddie Murphy’s ten highest-grossing movies:

  1. Shrek 2 – $932 Million (2004)
  2. Shrek the Third – $813 Million (2007)
  3. Shrek Forever After – $753 Million (2010)
  4. Shrek – $489 Million (2001)
  5. Beverly Hills Cop – $316 Million (1984)
  6. Mulan – $304 Million (1998)
  7. Beverly Hills Cop II – $300 Million (1987)
  8. Doctor Dolittle – $294 Million (1998)
  9. Coming to America – $289 Million (1988)
  10. The Nutty Professor – $274 Million (1996)

 

Summary

Eddie Murphy has been a famous actor throughout his whole career. Murphy’s net worth will undoubtedly continue to increase, as he has consistently demonstrated his talent as an actor.

What do you think about Eddie Murphy’s net worth? Leave a comment below.

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Comedians

Trevor Noah Net Worth

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Trevor Noah Net Worth

What is Trevor Noah’s net worth?

Net Worth:$100 Million
Age:41
Born:February 20, 1984
Gender:Male
Height:1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Country of Origin:South Africa
Source of Wealth:Professional TV Host/Comedian
Last Updated:May 31, 2025

Introduction 

Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, writer, actor, and television host with an estimated net worth of $100 Million.

He is best known for hosting The Daily Show, an American satirical news program on Comedy Central.

 

Early Life

Trevor Noah was born on the 20th of February, 1984, in Soweto, South Africa.

Noah is the son of a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father. 

Nonetheless, Noah’s parents secretly maintained their relationship for a time. Some of his experiences growing up would become the subject of his comedic work, which often examined the racial dynamics of his native country.

 

Career 

Trevor Noah's Career

Trevor Noah got his start on an episode of the South African soap opera Isidingo before hosting his show on a youth radio station. 

After being dared by friends, Noah performed a stand-up routine at a local nightclub and quickly fell in love with it. Noah left radio to pursue a comedy career and began performing with other South African comedians. 

In 2007, Noah was the opening act for Gabriel Iglesias and Russell Peters when they toured in South Africa.

 

Making A Name For Himself

While pursuing comedy, Trevor Noah hosted The Real Goboza, a gospel-themed show, and the sports show, Siyadlala

In 2009, he hosted the South African Film and Television Awards and co-hosted the reality competition The Axe Sweet Life. The following year, he hosted the South African Music Awards and became the spokesperson for the cellular provider Cell C. Soon after, he performed at The Blacks Only Comedy Show, the Vodacom Campus Comedy Tour, and the Heavyweight Comedy Jam

In 2011, Noah moved to the United States and became the first South African comedian to appear on the Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show

Trevor Noah was the subject of the 2012 documentary You Laugh But It’s True, and he began his comedy show Trevor Noah: The Racist. Soon after, he acted as the Roastmaster in the Comedy Central Roast of Steve Hofmeyr, a South African singer. 

In 2013, Noah was a guest on the BBC show QI and a panelist on the game show 8 Out of 10 Cats

 

The Daily Show

Trevor Noah became a regular contributor on The Daily Show in 2014 and was an instant fan favorite. Noah was announced as Jon Stewart’s successor the following year and officially took over the show in September. 

However, after this announcement, people began digging up old tweets Noah had made that were construed as misogynistic and antisemitic. 

Noah defended himself by stating that he shouldn’t be reduced to jokes that didn’t land in the past, and Comedy Central stood by him. 

Likewise, the chairperson of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies also stated that the tweets were just part of his comedy style. 

After taking over for Stewart, Daily Show viewership dropped by 37% but remained strong overall. Viewership among millennials, especially, remained solid, even as some critics called Noah’s style “dull.”

 

Noah’s Other Work

Alongside the Daily Show, Trevor Noah has appeared in the series Nashville and in the films Black Panther, American Vandal, and Coming 2 America

Starting in 2021, Noah has hosted the Grammy Awards four consecutive times and was the host of the White House Corrospndents’ Dinner in 2022. 

After leaving the Daily Show in 2022, Noah launched a weekly podcast on Spotify called What Now? With Trevor Noah

In 2024, Noah produced JokeNite, a creative island that was added to the popular video game Fortnite

Most recently, Noah appeared with Jane Fonda in the musical film This Is Me…Now: A Love Story from Jennifer Lopez’s ninth album. Additionally, Noah is a published author, having written Born a Crime in 2016, which became a New York Times Bestseller.

 

Estimated Net Worth

In 2024, Trevor Noah’s net worth is $100 Million.

 

Highlights 

Here are some of the best highlights of Trevor Noah’s career: 

  • Host of The Daily Show
  • South African Broadcasting Corporation
  • Tonight with Trevor Noah (2010-2011)

What do you think about Trevor Noah’s net worth? Leave a comment below.

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Comedians

Frank Caliendo Net Worth

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Frank Caliendo Net Worth

What is Frank Caliendo’s net worth? 

Net Worth:$20 Million
Age:51
Born:January 19, 1974
Gender:Male
Height:1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Comedian
Last Updated:May 31, 2025

Introduction    

Frank Caliendo is an American professional comedian, actor, and impressionist with an estimated net worth of $20 Million. 

Caliendo is best known for his impersonations on the Fox Network series ‘MADtv.’  In 2007 and 2008, he performed his impersonations on his show, Frank TV, which aired on TBS.

 

Early Life 

Frank Caliendo Jr. was born on the 19th of January, 1974, in Chicago.

Caliendo is of Italian descent and grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he attended Waukesha South High School.

Before he graduated, he began performing stand-up comedy at local nightclubs and comedy clubs, eventually taking a job as a master of ceremonies at a local comedy club. He was active on the college circuit. Between 2000 and 2001, Caliendo made his television debut on the sketch comedy series Hype.’

 

Career 

Caliendo’s career began with performing at stand-up comedy shows at local pubs and clubs. Soon after, Frank became a master of ceremonies at a local comedy club and made his TV debut on the sketch comedy series “Hype.”

Following his TV debut, he became a repertory performer on MADtv alongside Bobby Lee, a fellow comedian and popular actor. During his time with MADtv, Frank replaced Will Sasso as George W. Bush’s impersonator on the series in 2002.

 

From Pub Stages To Primetime

Caliendo also appeared on KQ Morning Show’s annual “Live from Las Vegas” simulcast that same year, discussing how he met Donald Trump and Matt Favre.

At the same time, he appeared in Comedy Central Presents and first appeared on Fox NFL Sunday, becoming a regular cast member soon after.

He was nominated for the Outstanding Writing Emmy Award for Fox NFL Sunday shortly before announcing he would not return for the next season.

For a change of pace, Frank starred in his own sketch show, Frank TV, and appeared alongside Bradley Cooper in the film “The Comebacks.”

He also hosted the “Comedy Festival Presents: Funniest Movies of the Year” and became a recurring guest on the Barstool Sports podcast “Pardon My Take.”

 

A Voice For All Occasions

In addition to these shows, he performed on Premium Blend, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and more.

Frank also appeared in Comedy Central’s Shorties Watchin’ Shorties and voice-acted alongside Mark Hamill in the animation Gravity Falls.

At the same time, he appeared in Hot in Cleveland, Sullivan and Son, The Birthday Boys, and Liv and Maddie.

He released comedy albums, including Make the Voices Stop and Frank on the Radio series, and voiced George W. Bush on Mind of Mencia.

That same year, he worked with Seth MacFarlane, the creator of “Family Guy,” contributing his voice to various characters in the long-running animated series.

 

Rolling With Joe Rogan

Following his comedy albums, Frank has been featured on the Joe Rogan podcast, where he discusses his career, impressions, and experiences in the comedy industry.

He released Frank Caliendo: All Over the Place and became a regular on radio shows like The Bob & Tom Show and The Howard Stern Show.

A few years later, he moved to Arizona with his wife and their family and became recognized for his John Madden impressions on sports shows.

Frank continues to provide voice impersonations and impressions on numerous platforms and shows such as “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.”

He is set to headline the Saturday night gala at the 2024 Great American Comedy Festival alongside comedians Preacher Lawson and Lucia Whalen.

In the same year, the Oakland Schools Educational Foundation is sponsoring him for a performance at Detroit’s Sound Board, presented by icon Rick Mahorn.​

 

Estimated Net Worth

In 2024, Frank Caliendo’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $20 Million. 

 

Highlights

Here are some of the best highlights of Frank Caliendo’s career:

  • Hype (Sketch Show, 2000) 
  • Mind of Mencia (TV Show, 2005) 
  • Frank TV (Reality Show, 2007 – 2008) 

What do you think about Frank Caliendo’s net worth? Leave a comment below. 

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