If you’ve been plugged into the stand-up comedy scene at all in the last decade or so, you’re likely well acquainted with the name Roy Wood Jr. The hilarious comedian, best known for his work as a long-time correspondent and occasional guest host on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” can most recently be seen cracking up the panel on CNN’s “Have I Got News For You.” Wood may not have invented the comedy news genre, though he’s certainly put his own entertaining spin on it, having gone on to head such significant events as the White House Correspondents Dinner. His latest stand-up comedy special, “Lonely Flowers,” premiered on Hulu today, Jan. 17.
Since Roy Wood Jr has become such a hot commodity in the world of comedy lately, it only makes sense that fans are wondering just how much cash he’s taken in with his numerous hosting and writing gigs. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide to Wood’s life, career and overall net worth.
Wood’s Early Life And Career Beginnings
Long before Roy Wood Jr was rocking stages and turning pages, the acclaimed comedian was born to a humble Manhattan home. His father, for whom Roy was named, was a pioneering voice for civil rights, sharing his thoughts on everything from the Vietnam War to the impact that Black Americans have on politics via his prolific radio broadcasting career. Having been born in 1915 and lived in Birmingham, Alabama most of his life, Roy Wood Sr was crucially impacted by the era of Jim Crow and segregation, making him a crucial component to American history. Likewise, Wood’s mother was a college administrator, with a well educated background in academia. This family history can be seen and heard in Roy Wood Jr’s biting social commentary, as his comedy tends to focus on themes of culture, inequality and the plight of the underserved.
In his youth, Roy Wood Jr moved around quite a bit, spending time in Manhattan, Memphis and Atlanta before ultimately finding himself in Birmingham where his father was raised. He attended the HBCU Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee after finishing high school, and completed a Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in broadcast journalism. While attending Florida A&M, Wood took on a gig as a morning news reporter at a local radio station, where he made connections with the station’s in-house comedian Rickey Smiley. His quick wit and penchant for cracking jokes made him the office cut-up while working at the station, inspiring him to pursue a career in stand-up.
Major Success As A Comedian
After graduating from college, Roy Wood Jr continued to balance his comedic aspirations with his multi-media career, serving as the head writer for Birmingham’s “Buckwilde Morning Show.” The series, which was eventually syndicated through Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole Sirius XM station, saw Wood and a cavalcade of rising comedians engaging in topical discussion, crank phone calls and other daily comedic performances. After moving to Los Angeles in the mid aughts, Wood launched his own self-titled morning show and competed in NBC’s reality talent show “Last Comic Standing.” The East Coast native ultimately finished in third place on the series, though his comedic style clearly remained ingrained in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere.
Roy Wood Jr’s biggest break came in 2015, when he was first hired to serve as a correspondent for “The Daily Show.” The series raised his profile significantly, and allowed him to flex his comedic chops as well as his extensive background in journalism. Woods stayed on as a correspondent for the series until 2023, when he was promoted to guest host and eventually departed the series seeking a permanent hosting gig. Lucky for him, an opportunity came up not long after which allowed him to head up his own comedy news program at CNN, titled “Have I Got News For You.” While working at “The Daily Show,” Wood was able to manage a number of side projects, which included multiple hour-long stand-up specials, as well as a brief stint hosting the stand-up comedy series “This Is Not Happening.” He also worked with a variety of other late-night hosts such as Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien and David Letterman, also headlining multiple USO tours for American soldiers fighting overseas.
Exploring The New Yorker’s Expansive Acting Career
Though Roy Wood Jr is best known for portraying himself, he does have a solid repertoire of genuine acting gigs as well, having appeared in a number of films and television shows. Wood held a series regular role on the TBS sitcom “Sullivan & Son,” before appearing in shows such as “Better Call Saul,” “The Last O.G.,” “Space Force” and “Flatbush Misdemeanors.” He made his feature film debut in 2019’s “The Death of Dick Long,” before popping up in films like “Confess, Fletch” and “Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie.” Wood is currently attached to two feature films in post production, which are expected to be released some time in 2025. The films are titled “Love, Brooklyn” and “Outcome,” respectively.
Though we have very little information on what Roy Wood Jr makes in salary on these film projects, we can surmise that his day-rate has only continued to rise as he has become a more and more recognizable figure in pop culture. Today, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Roy Wood Jr’s total net worth as being over $3 million and counting. Though this figure may not stack up to the massive income of stand-up icons like Dave Chappelle or Jamie Foxx, it’s incredibly impressive that Wood has been able to conjure generational wealth from humble beginnings. His civil rights legend father passed away in 1995, before he could bear witness to his son’s incredible success, though we can rest assured that Roy Wood Sr would be floored to see how far his family line has come in just two generations.
