Wanda Sykes Net Worth: How Much Does the Comedian and Actress Make?

Posted by Sebrina Pilcher on Thursday, May 9, 2024

Wanda Sykes is one of the most successful and influential comedians and actresses in the entertainment industry. She has been making audiences laugh with her witty and edgy humor for over three decades. She has also written, produced, and starred in several TV shows and movies, as well as voiced characters in animated films. But how much does Wanda Sykes make from her diverse and impressive career? What is Wanda Sykes net worth in 2023?

Early Life and Career

Wanda Sykes was born on March 7, 1964, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Her mother, Marion Louise, was a banker, and her father, Harry Ellsworth Sykes, was a U.S. Army colonel working for the Pentagon. She has one older brother, who shares their father’s name.

Wanda Sykes attended Arundel High School in Maryland, and then graduated from Hampton University with a bachelor of science degree in marketing. She joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and worked as a contracting specialist at the National Security Agency for five years.

While working at the NSA, Wanda Sykes began performing stand-up comedy at local venues in Washington, DC. She entered a talent competition in 1987 and decided to pursue comedy as a full-time career. She moved to New York City in 1992 and appeared on the TV show An Evening at the Improv.

She met Chris Rock at Caroline’s Comedy Club and became his opening act. He hired her as a writer for The Chris Rock Show, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. She also appeared on the show as a performer.

TV Shows and Movies

Wanda Sykes has appeared in numerous TV shows and movies throughout her career. Some of her notable roles include:

  • Wanda at Large (2003): A Fox sitcom that starred Wanda Sykes as a stand-up comic who becomes a political commentator on a TV show.
  • The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006-2010): A CBS sitcom that starred Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a divorced mother who runs a gym with her brother, played by Clark Gregg. Wanda Sykes played Christine’s best friend and coworker, Barb.
  • The Wanda Sykes Show (2009-2010): A Fox late-night talk show that featured Wanda Sykes as the host, along with a panel of guests and comedians.
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (2001-present): An HBO comedy series that stars Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself. Wanda Sykes plays herself as Larry’s friend and frequent antagonist.
  • Black-ish (2015-present): An ABC sitcom that stars Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross as an upper-middle-class African-American couple who struggle to maintain their cultural identity while raising their four children. Wanda Sykes plays Daphne Lido, the ex-wife of Dre’s boss.
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2020): An Amazon Prime Video comedy series that stars Rachel Brosnahan as a housewife who becomes a stand-up comic in the 1950s. Wanda Sykes plays Moms Mabley, a legendary comedian who inspires Midge.
  • The Upshaws (2021-present): A Netflix sitcom that stars Mike Epps and Kim Fields as a working-class couple who try to balance their family and business in Indianapolis. Wanda Sykes plays Lucretia, Bennie’s sister and business partner.

Some of the movies that Wanda Sykes has appeared in include:

  • Monster-in-Law (2005): A romantic comedy that starred Jennifer Lopez as a woman who clashes with her future mother-in-law, played by Jane Fonda. Wanda Sykes played Ruby, Fonda’s assistant.
  • My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006): A superhero comedy that starred Uma Thurman as a woman who uses her powers to torment her ex-boyfriend, played by Luke Wilson. Wanda Sykes played Carla Dunkirk, Wilson’s coworker.
  • Evan Almighty (2007): A religious comedy that starred Steve Carell as a congressman who is chosen by God, played by Morgan Freeman, to build an ark. Wanda Sykes played Rita Daniels, Carell’s assistant.
  • License to Wed (2007): A romantic comedy that starred Mandy Moore and John Krasinski as a couple who undergo a pre-marital course by an eccentric minister, played by Robin Williams. Wanda Sykes played Janine, Williams’ choir director.

Voice Acting

Wanda Sykes has also lent her voice to several animated films and TV shows, such as:

  • Over the Hedge (2006): A DreamWorks Animation film that featured Bruce Willis as a raccoon who convinces a group of forest animals to raid a suburban neighborhood for food. Wanda Sykes voiced Stella, a skunk.
  • Barnyard (2006): A Nickelodeon Animation film that featured Kevin James as a cow who leads a secret life as a party animal. Wanda Sykes voiced Bessy, a sassy cow.
  • Brother Bear 2 (2006): A Disney direct-to-video sequel that featured Patrick Dempsey and Mandy Moore as two bears who fall in love. Wanda Sykes voiced Innoko, a wolverine.
  • Rio (2011): A Blue Sky Studios film that featured Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway as two macaws who embark on an adventure in Brazil. Wanda Sykes voiced Chloe, a goose.
  • Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) and Ice Age: Collision Course (2016): Two Blue Sky Studios films that featured Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary as three prehistoric friends who face various challenges. Wanda Sykes voiced Granny, a sloth.
  • UglyDolls (2019): An STX Entertainment film that featured Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, and Janelle Monáe as misfit toys who discover a world where they are accepted. Wanda Sykes voiced Wage, an apron-wearing doll.

Net Worth and Salary

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Wanda Sykes has an estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2023. She has earned her wealth from her various endeavors in the entertainment industry, such as writing, producing, acting, and performing.

Wanda Sykes’ salary for her TV shows and movies is not publicly disclosed, but it is likely that she commands a high pay rate for her talents and experience. She also earns money from her stand-up comedy tours and specials, such as Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (2019) and Wanda Sykes: I’ma Be Me (2009).

Wanda Sykes is one of the most respected and admired comedians and actresses in the business. She has proven her versatility and skill in various genres and mediums. She has also used her platform to advocate for causes such as LGBTQ rights, animal rights, and breast cancer awareness. She is a trailblazer and a role model for many aspiring comedians and performers.

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