Jim Brown was one of the greatest all-around NFL stars. He played nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns before beginning his Hollywood journey and other endeavors. With his marvelous acting in some box office hit movies, Brown soon became one of the highest-paid black actors and also a millionaire.
In today’s article, we are going to uncover his net worth at the time of his death, real estate portfolio, and more. Also, learn about who inherited his wealth after his death.
What Was Jim Brown’s Net Worth?
Jim had an estimated net worth of $39 million at the time of his death. This reflects his diverse career portfolio from being an iconic NFL player to the highest-paid black actor in the ’60s.
Until his demise, Brown had also been involved in several business organizations, which further boosted his wealth.
How Much Was Brown’s Salary From Cleveland Browns?
He was paid over $65,000 a year by the team. Playing college football at Syracuse University, Jim made it to the NFL draft in 1957 with the Cleveland Browns. He played with the team from (1957–1965). During his extensive career with the Browns, Jim who had the role of fullback made a series of records, also leading the team to several remarkable victories including three MVPs and an NFL championship in 1964.
The team also became runners-up during his debut season in 1957 and his final season in 1965. However, while still in top form, the fullback retired in July 1966. He later moved to England for the shoot of the movie, The Dirty Dozen (1967).
He was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted in 1971. Furthermore, the late athlete was also inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1983, followed by the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
Jim Brown Was a Highest-Paid Black Actor
After leaving his booming NFL career at its peak, Brown found great success in Hollywood. He was even dubbed as the black John Wayne and also became America’s first Black action hero.
He made his acting debut even before the 1964 season, portraying a buffalo soldier in the action movie, Rio Conchos (1964). Brown was paid about $37,000 for his role in the movie.
The following year, Brown popped up in one episode of an American sitcom, Valentine’s Day. His big break came when Jim had a role in MGM’s The Dirty Dozen (1967). He received $40,000 for his performance in the movie.
With MGM, the late actor also appeared in a few other movies including, The Split (1968) and Riot (1969). He was paid $125,000 for his role in The Split. Similarly, Jim got a lucrative figure, $200,000 from his role in Spike Lee’s Jim Brown: All-American (2002), and also received five percent of the film’s box office gross.
At that time, those salary impressive figures were really high which also helped Brown to become a multi-millionaire. He continued to play in other movies including a popular 1987 film, The Running Man, starring legendary actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and María Conchita Alonso.
His other film credits are I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), Mars Attacks (1996), Any Given Sunday (1999), and Sucker Free City (2004). From all of these projects, the ex-fullback received a considerable salary, further boosting his net worth.
Brown’s House and Real Estate
He had a house in the Hollywood Hills, California, which the late actor bought in 1968. As of 2024, its valuation is $10 to $15 million. After his death, the house is kept by his wife, Monique Brown.
Furthermore, Jim still also had his childhood mansion in St. Simons Island, Ga.
List of His Cars
The late celebrity is also known for his extravagant lifestyle who had a couple of exotic cars. Here is the list:
| Cars | Price |
| 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 | $103,970 |
| 1966 Chevrolet Nova | $49,500 |
| 1937 Ford Coupe | $45,000 |
Who Inherited Jim Brown’s Wealth After His Death?
Brown passed away on 17th Feb 1936, at 87. He died in Los Angeles, California, with his wife by his side. At the time of his demise, Brown still had a considerable fortune and impressive real estate holdings. But the major question is who became heir to his net worth?
However, there are no details about who was the primary consideration for his fortune. But, considering the common approach, it could have been Jim’s young wife Monique or their children were at the top priority.
He was a civil rights activist
In addition to being an actor and soccer player, Jim was also known for his civil rights activities. He founded the Negro Industrial Economic Union (aka Black Economic Union) in 1966. It was “responsible for leading Kansas City’s urban core redevelopment efforts in the areas of housing and commercial developments.”
In 1988, Brown also founded the Amer-I-Can Foundation. Its FB profile describes it as a “national program and movement, created by NFL great Jim Brown, to empower individuals to take charge of their lives and achieve their full potential.”
