Rickey Smiley is an American standup comedian, television host, actor, public speaker and radio personality. He is popularly known for his prank phone calls, usually aired on his nationally syndicated radio program, Rickey Smiley’s morning show.
Rickey Smiley amassed massive wealth from his earning on his TV standup comedy show ComicView on Black Entertainment Television, which he hosted for its 2000 season.
He also performs as a standup comedy on other TV programs, such as Showtime at the Apollo, Def Comedy Jam, and Uptown Comedy Club.
What is Rickey Smiley Net Worth
Rickey Smiley has an estimated net worth of about $5 million in 2023. Being a performer, most of his earnings are attributed to this, and others, to his acting career.
He made most of his money from standup comedy, TV and Radio hosting, public speaking and Acting. To learn bout Rickey Smiley’s early life, personal life, career, achievements and awards, and so on, plunge into this article.
Rickey Smiley’s Net Worth Annually
Rickey Smiley, a public and motivational speaker, has been invited to speak at events and conferences nationwide. He starred in comedy films like Friday After Next, starring actor and rapper Ice Cube.
Booking Rickey Smiley as a speaker for live and virtual events costs about $30 thousand to $50 thousand.
Rickey Smiley usually performs on his theater tour across the country. To be part of these tours, you will need to buy a ticket, and the ticket price for the event usually costs a minimum of $60 per head.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Rickey’s smiley radio and television podcast was good enough for a daily show, and his salary was about $175 thousand as an actor.
Also, Rickey Smiley has recorded 8 albums, including the iTunes comedy album Rickey Smiley prank calls number 6 and many others. These albums were considered to be best-selling albums. Additionally, he wrote a book titled, Stand By Your Truth: Then Run For Your Life, which is also a best seller.
Rickey Smiley also has a YouTube channel with about 735 thousand subscribers. He joined YouTube in 2012 and currently has 235,970,866 views.
Aside from Rickey Smiley’s entertainment career, he is also a successful entrepreneur with a clothing line and a philanthropist who has been involved in various charities and community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, March of Dimes, and the American Cancer Society.
He founded the Rickey Smiley Foundation, which focuses on supporting children with disabilities and their families.
How Did he Get Rich?
Rickey Smiley made his money from being a performer. As a standup comedian, he made a fortune from the TV standup comedy show ComicView on Black Entertainment Television and other TV programs, such as Showtime at the Apollo, Def Comedy Jam, and Uptown Comedy Club.
He also has a nationally syndicated radio show, The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. The show was a huge success and became one of the country’s most popular morning shows, making him famous and contributing significantly to his net worth.
He also made some income from being the host of ComicView for its 2000 season. Rickey Smiley performs in shows and sells tickets, and the sales of tickets to his shows contributed largely to his net worth.
Also, Rickey Smiley amassed wealth from the sales of his books, Stand By Your Truth: Then Run For Your Life. He also made money from public speaking and the sales of his 8 best-selling albums.
As a successful entrepreneur, he has a clothing line, and he makes revenue from running the clothing line. He also ventured into acting and starred in some comedy movies. He made quite a sum from his acting career.
Biography
Broderick Dornell Smiley, popularly known as Rickey Smiley, was born on August 10, 1968, in Birmingham, Alabama. His mother’s name is Carolita Smiley Lester.
Rickey smiley lost his father, who was shot to death at age 6. Rickey had a sibling called Karon Smiley. His mother raised Rickey and his sibling with the assistance of an extended family member.
Rickey Smiley went to Woodlawn High school for his elementary education and later proceeded to Tuskegee University briefly. He later changed to Alabama state university, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. He graduated in 1992.
| Name | Broderick Dornell Smiley |
| Nick Name | Rickey Smiley |
| Gender | male |
| Age | 54 |
| Date of Birth | 10 August 1968 |
| Place of Birth | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 1.83m |
| Weight: | 75Kg |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Wife | Not Available |
| Children | Brandon, Malik, D’essence and Aaryn |
| Parent Name | Carolita Smiley Lester |
| Career: | Standup comedian, TV and Radio host, and Actor |
| Net worth | $5 million |
| College | Alabama state university and Tuskegee University |
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| YouTube | Visit Here |
Career and Award
Rickey Smiley started his career as a standup comedian. He began to perform at local places such as clubs and other venues.
He continued performing until he gained recognition and performed on large stages alongside other notable performers like George Wallace, Dottie Peoples, Najee, and jazz singer Will Downing.
In 2001, he started a nationally syndicated radio show, tagged The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. This was the most popular morning show in the United States then. Also, this show brought Rickey Smiley to the limelight.
The Rickey Smiley Show was expanded to television in 2012 to a BET series, Rickey Smiley for Real. He began to appear in other television shows, such as Rickey Smiley for real in 2015 on the TV one network, and many more.
However, Richie started starring in a movie in 2002 and starred in the American Stoner Comedy film Friday After Next with Ice Cube. As soon as Rickey began to feature in American comedy Scenes, he had widespread recognition, including other characters like Bernice Jerkins, Rusty Dale and Beauford.
Rickey Smiley is working for the American Television New Broadcasting Program as a columnist.
Awards and Achievements
In the course of Rickey Smiley’s career as a performer and entertainer, he has been nominated for and won some awards, and he was also given some special recognition;
He won in 2013 Vision Award for The Rickey Smiley Show and was nominated for the same award and category in 2014. Similarly, in 2017, he won the Marconi Award from the National Association of Broadcasters.
Rickey Smiley also won the BET award for his work on television and radio. He was specially recognized and honored by various organizations and media outlets.
He was named the 100 Most Influential Radio Host by The Industry Cosign and was inducted into the NA Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Rickey smiley was once married and is now divorced, but his ex-wife’s name and the details of their separation remained unknown. Their marriage produced 4 biological children, Brandon, Malik, D’essence and Aaryn and the other 2 adopted children, whose identity was kept private.
Rickey smiley announced the death of his daughter Aaryn Smiley, who was shot the previous weekend following a road rage incident On July 6, 2020. Similarly, Rickey Smiley reported the passing of his 32-year-old son, Brandon Smiley, on January 29, 2023.
Rickey Smiley is also an active philanthropist, supporting organizations that improve the lives of children and families in need. He founded Rickey Smiley Foundation, which focuses on supporting children with disabilities and their families.
FAQS
1. What is Rickey Smiley’s Ethnicity?
Rickey Smiley is an African American born in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. He is a black American but mixed, as his origin is rooted in Africa.
2. Is Rickey Smiley Married?
Rickey Smiley is single following the divorce of his first marriage. He is neither engaged nor has a girlfriend.
Rickey Smiley is focused on his career and is not dating anyone.
3. How Many Listeners Does Rickey Smiley Have?
Rickey Smiley reinforces his radio brand 24/7 by interacting online and socially with about five million followers.
He did this through his stand-up comedy, reality-based TV shows, and publishing
4. What Happened To Rickey Smiley’s Son?
Brandon Smiley was found unconscious inside his home and taken to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
His autopsy report found no evidence of trauma or link to his death. The cause of his death is still unknown.
5. How Many Of Rickey Smiley’s Children Are Dead?
Rickey Smiley has lost 2 of his children. Besides Brandon, who recently died, his daughter Aryan had been killed earlier.
Aryan was shot dead in a rage road incident in 2020
