Clifton Powell’s net worth, which was estimated to be around $400,000 in 2025, is remarkably low considering that he has over two hundred acting credits and a career spanning over forty years. His narrative demonstrates how cultural impact is frequently not reflected in financial figures. Powell’s salary illustrates the unstable nature of being a career supporting actor rather than a big-name star, in contrast to his peers like Ice Cube and Jamie Foxx, who have amassed fortunes in the tens of millions.
Powell, who was raised in Washington, D.C., developed his skills at Emerson College and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. His early years were particularly difficult, full of stage plays, advertisements, and odd jobs that helped him hone his skills even though they weren’t very profitable. His performances in House Party and Menace II Society, which immediately distinguished themselves for their authenticity and edge, were remarkably prepared by these early endeavors.
He played the flamboyant and sassy “Pinky” in Next Friday, his most famous role, which debuted in 2000. From getting out of a pink limousine to reprimanding his driver in a hilariously dramatic way, the character’s outrageous energy made him instantly memorable. Powell’s inclusion in the franchise has been hailed by Ice Cube himself, who attributes Next Friday’s popularity to the new comic element he brought to the series. His comedic legacy was solidified by that one role, which also demonstrated how a single supporting performance can have a big impact on a movie’s lasting reputation.
Clifton Powell – Bio and Career Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Clifton Powell |
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1956, Washington, D.C. |
| Age | 69 (as of 2025) |
| Education | Duke Ellington School of the Arts; Emerson College |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian, Producer, Director |
| Years Active | 1980s–present |
| Famous Roles | “Pinky” in Next Friday & Friday After Next, Jeff Brown in Ray |
| Notable Films | Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, Rush Hour, Ray, Norbit |
| TV Highlights | Roc, Saints & Sinners, The Family Business, Black Lightning |
| Awards | NAACP Image Award nomination; SAG Award nomination |
| Businesses | Co-owner of restaurants in Pasadena, California |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $400,000–$500,000 (2025 estimates) |
| Family | Married to Kimberly Powell; father of Clifton Powell Jr. and Maya |
Reference: Celebrity Net Worth
Powell explored dramatic paths outside of comedy, and in 2004 he received critical acclaim for Ray. He was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and an NAACP Image Award for his performance as Ray Charles’s longtime manager, Jeff Brown. Powell showed that he could carry dramatic weight with remarkable clarity while working with Jamie Foxx. He was particularly good at alternating between comedic absurdity and dramatic depth.
Despite these high points, Powell’s career in finance never lived up to his reputation as an artist. His estimated net worth is between $400,000 and $500,000, which seems extremely low when contrasted with Ice Cube’s $150 million fortune or Jamie Foxx’s $170 million. This discrepancy highlights the structural injustice in Hollywood, where supporting actors, despite their cultural impact, frequently earn much less than the main stars.
Personal difficulties have also made the journey more difficult. Powell was accused of sexual assault in 2012, but the charges were eventually dropped for lack of proof. Despite being legally exonerated, he acknowledged that the charges had a negative impact on his career, depriving him of employment opportunities and creating a shadow that followed him for years. His open admission of the emotional cost demonstrated how reputational issues, even in cases of proven innocence, can ruin careers.
Powell, however, has shown remarkable tenacity in securing roles in independent films and television. In addition to appearing in Black Lightning and The Last O.G., he established himself as a regular on programs like Saints & Sinners and The Family Business. Every project demonstrated his tenacity by demonstrating how he regularly produced captivating performances, even in supporting roles. He maintained his relevance long after many of his peers faded because of his extraordinary versatility across genres.
Powell left acting to pursue a career in business, co-owning Pasadena restaurants with his wife Kimberly. His son, Clifton Powell Jr., is a filmmaker who gained media attention after dating Sasha Obama. He has also backed him. These familial ties give Powell’s story a wider social resonance by intriguingly connecting his Hollywood heritage to the political history of the United States.
The disparity in wealth is particularly evident when compared to other actors in the Friday franchise. Powell was mostly limited to supporting roles while Mike Epps used his position to land comedy specials and higher salaries. This disparity in wealth is a reflection of both Hollywood economics and the larger social narrative about who gets to become a star and who stays in the background.
