Kenya Barris Net Worth

## Kenya Barris: From ‘black-ish’ Creator to Hollywood Powerhouse

**Kenya Barris** is a prominent figure in the world of television and film, known for his sharp wit, insightful storytelling, and ability to capture the nuances of modern family life. This article delves into the life and career of Kenya Barris, exploring his impressive net worth, his journey from writing sitcoms to creating and directing them, his landmark deal with Netflix, and his expanding influence in Hollywood.

Early Life and Education

Kenya Barris was born on August 9, 1974, in Inglewood, California, as the second of five children. The name “Kenya” was inspired by his father’s trip to the African nation. His parents divorced when he was five years old. Barris pursued higher education at Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black university, where he honed his skills and laid the groundwork for his future success.

Television Career: The Early Years (2000-2014)

Barris embarked on his television career in 2000 as a writer for the UPN sitcom “Girlfriends.” The show, which ran for eight seasons until 2008, featured a talented cast, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Jill Marie Jones, and Reggie Hayes. During his tenure with “Girlfriends,” Barris expanded his creative reach by co-creating and producing the reality television competition series “America’s Next Top Model” in partnership with model Tyra Banks in 2003. This popular show enjoyed a long run of 24 seasons, captivating audiences with its unique format. Barris also contributed as a writer to the Showtime drama series “Soul Food” from 2002 to 2004, which explored the lives of a Black family in Chicago. Following this, he wrote for the CBS sitcom “Listen Up!” from 2004 to 2005, starring Jason Alexander.

In 2006, Barris began writing for “The Game,” a spin-off of his previous series “Girlfriends,” and remained with the show until 2014. During this period, he also wrote for the TBS sitcom “Are We There Yet?,” inspired by the film of the same name and starring Terry Crews. From 2012 to 2013, Barris contributed to the short-lived Fox sitcom “I Hate My Teenage Daughter,” which featured Jaime Pressly and Katie Finneran.

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‘black-ish’ Franchise: A Cultural Phenomenon

2014 marked a pivotal year for Barris when he created the critically acclaimed ABC sitcom “black-ish.” Starring Tracee Ellis Ross, Anthony Anderson, Marcus Scribner, Yara Shahidi, and Laurence Fishburne, the show offered an insightful look into the experiences of an upper-class Black family navigating personal and sociopolitical issues. Barris not only created the series but also directed and wrote many of its episodes, demonstrating his multifaceted talent. The show garnered numerous awards and nominations, including multiple NAACP Image Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for Tracee Ellis Ross, solidifying its place in television history.

Building on the success of “black-ish,” Barris expanded the franchise by creating the spin-off “grown-ish” with Larry Wilmore in 2018. The series follows Zoey, the eldest daughter from “black-ish,” as she embarks on her journey into adulthood. “grown-ish” features Yara Shahidi in the lead role, alongside Deon Cole, Francia Raisa, Chloe Bailey, Trevor Jackson, and Chris Parnell. In 2019, Barris co-created “mixed-ish,” a prequel to “black-ish,” with Peter Saji and Tracee Ellis Ross. The show, loosely based on the early life of his wife, Dr. Rania Barris, stars Arica Himmel as the young version of her, and includes Tika Sumpter, Gary Cole, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar in the cast. Despite its initial promise, “mixed-ish” was canceled after two seasons in 2021.

Netflix Deal and Further Television Ventures

In August 2018, Kenya Barris signed a lucrative $100 million exclusive production and development deal with Netflix, signaling the streaming giant’s commitment to his creative vision. This deal allowed him to create and produce original content exclusively for Netflix.

Barris has continued to expand his television portfolio with various projects. He served as an executive producer for the Netflix series “Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show” in 2019. In 2020, he created and starred in his own Netflix sitcom, “#blackAF,” in which he played a fictionalized version of himself, marking his acting debut. The show co-starred Rashida Jones, Iran Benson, Genneya Walton, Justin Claiborne, and Scarlet Spencer, among others. Despite its initial promise, “#blackAF” was canceled after a single season. Barris has maintained a strong relationship with Netflix, executive producing animated series like “We the People” and “Entergalactic.”

Film Career: Expanding Horizons

Barris made his entry into feature films by co-writing the comedy sequel “Barbershop: The Next Cut” in 2016. He then teamed up with Tracy Oliver to co-write the hit 2017 romantic comedy “Girls Trip,” which featured Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish. In 2019, Barris produced the fantasy comedy “Little” and co-wrote the action comedy sequel “Shaft” with Alex Barnow. He also co-wrote the 2020 fantasy comedy “The Witches” with Robert Zemeckis and Guillermo del Toro, based on the Roald Dahl novel and starring Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, Octavia Spencer, and Chris Rock.

Barris co-wrote the 2021 comedy “Coming 2 America” with David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein, a sequel to the 1988 film, which starred Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. In 2022, he co-wrote the Disney remake of “Cheaper by the Dozen” with Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry. That same year, Barris made his feature film directorial debut with “You People,” a Netflix film he co-wrote with actor Jonah Hill. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Hill, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Epps, Rhea Perlman, Deon Cole, and Bryan Greenberg.

Personal Life and Real Estate

In 1999, Kenya Barris married Dr. Rania “Rainbow” Edwards, an anesthesiologist. Together, they have six children. Although they initially announced plans for divorce in 2019, they later reconciled in 2020.

Barris has also made significant investments in real estate. In July 2019, he purchased an impressive mansion in Encino, California, for $7.6 million. Subsequently, in May 2020, he acquired a home in Studio City, California, for $4.6 million.

Conclusion

Kenya Barris’s journey from a television writer to a Hollywood powerhouse exemplifies his creative vision, business acumen, and dedication to telling diverse and engaging stories. His impact on television and film is undeniable, and his future projects are highly anticipated. With his substantial net worth, continued success, and expanding influence, Kenya Barris remains a significant force in the entertainment industry.