Wesley Snipes is a famous American actor. He has been in this business for the acting industry since he knew he had a knack for the screens. He is known for his roles in New Jack City, White Men Can’t Jump, and the famous Blade, which bagged 150 million at the box office. He made a recent comeback with his role in Coming 2 America. Wesley has a film production agency and is also an author.

Wesley Snipes’ Net Worth

Snipes’ net worth is $10 million, with his salary varying from the different movies he’s acted in over the years, but an average of over $1 million annually. He had significant success in 1998 with his character in the blockbuster Blade, which bagged over $150 million worldwide. His wealth is an accumulation of all the assets, investments, and hit films he’s produced over the years. Wesley also has rights to the Blade Trilogy. However, it was taken aback by his tax evasion charges in 2006. 

Who is Wesley Snipes?

Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, in the state of Florida, on July 31, 1962. His mother is Marian Snipes, a teacher’s assistant, and his father, Wesley Rudolph Snipes, is an aircraft engineer. Wesley started training in martial arts at the age of twelve. He also learned Capoeira, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He trained with his friend and mentor, Brooke Ellis.

However, he grew up in the Bronx, New York. He went to Fiorello H. La Guardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts but moved back to Orlando before finishing. He graduated from Jones High School in Orlando and moved back to New York again. He attended the State University of New York at Purchase. 

He later moved to Los Angeles, where he attended Southwest College. L. A was the heart of the film industry, where Wesley was fascinated and fell into the industry. An agent saw him perform in a competition and promoted his talent. As a result, he was booked for roles until Wesley made his debut in 1986 in the movie, Wildcats.

Snipes was married twice. First to April Snipes, with whom he has a son, Jelani Asar Snipes. He married painter Nakyung ‘Nikki’ Park in 2003, with whom he has four children; Akhenaten Kihwa-T Snipes, Iset Jua-T Snipes, Alimayu Moya-T Snipes, Alaafia Jehu T-Snipes. 

He converted to Islam in 1978 but later dropped in 1988. Aside from Snipes’ unwarranted success, he had disputes with the law. As a result, he got arrested and convicted in 2006 of tax evasion.

Wesley Snipes Life Facts

• Wesley has a 5th-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and a 2nd-degree blackbelt in Hapkido.
• He has a half-brother A.D Snipes, who is also an entertainer.
• He was sentenced to jail for three years for tax evasion.
• Wesley loves Thompson’s chocolate factory in Meriden, CT. He spends his free time at the factory.

Wesley Snipes’ Career

An agent saw Wesley’s talent when he was 23 and started booking him for roles. He made his film debut with his role in the movie, Wildcats in 1986. He made a guest appearance in the series Miami Vice the same year that put him on the map together with his cast in Michael Jackson’s music video of his song, Bad, in 1987. Spike Lee saw him in the music video, which sparked his attention.

He continued to build his career and his wealth when Spike Lee decided to cast him in some of his movies. Some blockbuster movies were Mo Better Blues and the lead in Jungle Fever. He looked comfortable playing crime roles like in New Jack City. 

He later went into action films, where he got to show off his martial arts skills. Some action movies he has cast in are Demolition Man with Sylvester Stallone, Passenger 57, Rising Sun, and Money Train. In addition, Snipes has proved to be a versatile actor because he has also had roles in comedy films like To Wong Foo and White Men Can’t Jump.

Wesley Snipes’ career took a high road when he was cast in the Blade Trilogy. He got a role in the first Blade movie that hit the box office and made $150 million worldwide. His financial success came from this movie and earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He featured in the third film, Blade: Trinity, in 2004 which he sued New Line Cinema for not paying his full salary and claiming to be given a lesser role than his co-cast, Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel.

Snipes made a comeback in Coming to 2 America in 2021, where he played the role of General Izzi. 

Properties

Aside from Wesley’s financial status deteriorating from his setbacks with the state law in legal fees and other expenditures, he has assets. He owns luxurious cars and houses. He has purchased and sold exceptional properties over the years, but his residence is still worth a mouth drop. He owns two homes in Alpine, New Jersey, but mostly lives in a 300-square-foot, four-bedroom house. The house has luxurious interiors.

Snipes owns luxurious cars that he is seen in alongside his family. He has a BMW 3-Series Convertible that goes for approximately $60,000, an Audi A7 for about $89, 000 and a Range Rover for about $138 000.

Other Ventures

Wesley started a security firm with his brother in the late 90s named Royal Guard of Amen-Ra. It provides top-notch security to VIPs with bodyguards trained in martial arts and law enforcement.

He also started his own film production company called Amen-Ra. His first film production was A Great and Mighty Walk in 1996. His company is established in Africa and Florida.

Wesley didn’t stop at acting; he also stepped into the shoes of an author. He made his debut with his fiction book Talon of God, published in 2017. After Dark is another book that was published in 2010.

What’s Next For Snipes?

Jail term left many of Wesley’s fans missing him for three years, which seemed like 10. But this four-time NAACP award winner has recently made a bit of a return. In the new Netflix limited series True Story, the actor plays Carlton, the obnoxious and envious elder brother of the show’s protagonist, the Kid, played by Kevin Hart. Snipes brings the same passion and awe-inspiring energy to the small screen as he has in countless classic films, including his defining role in the Blade Trilogy, New Jack City (1991), and Demolition Man (1993). 

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