Gary Owen, a well-known American actor and stand-up comedian, boasts a net worth of $4 million. He gained widespread recognition in 1997 after appearing on the stand-up comedy show ComicView. This breakthrough led to numerous comedy film roles, including Held Up, Daddy Day Care, Little Man, College, and Think Like a Man. His consistent appearances on BET earned him a strong following in the African-American community, and Ebony magazine famously dubbed him “Black America’s Favorite White Comic.”
Early Life
Born on July 26, 1974, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gary grew up in a trailer park in Oxford alongside his six siblings. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for six years, working as a Master-at-Arms and as part of the Presidential Honor Guard.
Gary Owen Career
After completing his military service, Owen moved to San Diego and began his stand-up comedy career. He quickly became popular, particularly among African-American audiences, and performed at the famed Comedy Store in West Hollywood, marking the start of his rise in the entertainment world.
Gary Owen’s Breakthrough on ComicView
Owen’s career took off in 1997 when he appeared on BET’s ComicView. His performance was so well-received that he returned for a second appearance and eventually earned his own one-hour Grandstand special. Later, Owen made history as the first and only white host of ComicView.
Comedy Specials
Owen has released several comedy specials, including Breakin’ Out the Park and Urban Legend on DVD. He also released Gary Owen: True Story in 2012, Gary Owen: I Agree with Myself in 2015, and Gary Owen: #DoinWhatIDo in 2019. His connection with African-American audiences led to him being recognized as “Black America’s Favorite White Comic” by Ebony magazine in 2011.
Film Career
Gary Owen’s transition to film began with a role in the 1999 comedy Held Up, alongside Jamie Foxx. He went on to appear in supporting roles in films such as Daddy Day Care (2003) and Love Chronicles (2003). He played a mascot in Rebound (2005) and a police officer in both Little Man and Who Made the Potatoe Salad? (2006).
Owen’s first major film role came in 2008 with College, where he portrayed Brian “Bearcat” Miller. His film career continued to soar with roles in Think Like a Man (2012) and its sequel Think Like a Man Too (2014). He also appeared in Ride Along (2014) alongside Kevin Hart, as well as Get Hard (2015), Bachelors (2015), Meet the Blacks (2016), and Undercover Brother 2 (2019). In 2020, Owen took on a more serious role in Welcome to Sudden Death and appeared in The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 in 2021.
Television Career
Gary Owen’s television career includes notable guest appearances, including on The Wayans Bros. in 1998. He also had a recurring role as Zach in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne in 2009. In 2016, Owen starred in his own BET show, The Gary Owen Show, and appeared in Nubbin & Friends.
Personal Life
Gary Owen married Kenya Duke in 2003, and the couple had two children: a son, Austin, and a daughter, Kennedy. Duke also had a son, Emilio, from a previous relationship. Owen and Duke divorced in 2021.
Conclusion
Gary Owen, with a net worth of $4 million, is a prominent American actor and comedian. He first rose to fame in 1997 with his appearance on ComicView, where he made a strong connection with the African-American community. This led to a successful career in stand-up comedy, with several specials released on DVD. Owen also transitioned to film, securing roles in a wide range of comedy films, such as Daddy Day Care and Think Like a Man. His film career expanded with roles in Ride Along and Get Hard. In addition to film, Owen has a solid television career, starring in The Gary Owen Show and having recurring roles on series like House of Payne.
Owen’s early life saw him grow up in a trailer park in Ohio before serving in the U.S. Navy for six years. Afterward, he moved to San Diego to pursue stand-up comedy, quickly earning a loyal following. On a personal note, Owen married Kenya Duke in 2003, and they have two children together. The couple divorced in 2021.
FAQs
- What is Gary Owen’s net worth?
Gary Owen’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million. - How did Gary Owen become famous?
Gary Owen gained widespread recognition in 1997 after appearing on BET’s ComicView, which led to a successful stand-up comedy career and roles in comedy films. - What are some of Gary Owen’s notable comedy specials?
Owen has released several comedy specials, including Breakin’ Out the Park, Urban Legend, Gary Owen: True Story, I Agree with Myself, and Gary Owen: #DoinWhatIDo. - What films has Gary Owen appeared in?
Owen has starred in films like Held Up, Daddy Day Care, Little Man, Think Like a Man, Ride Along, Get Hard, Meet the Blacks, and Undercover Brother 2. - What television shows has Gary Owen been a part of?
Owen had guest roles on shows like The Wayans Bros. and a recurring role on House of Payne. He also starred in his own show, The Gary Owen Show. - Is Gary Owen married?
Gary Owen was married to Kenya Duke in 2003, and they have two children. They divorced in 2021.
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