What is Big Boy’s net worth and salary?
Big Boy is a radio host, actor, producer, and author with a net worth of $9 million and an annual salary of $3.5 million. He is best known for hosting the L.A.-based syndicated radio show “Big Boy in the Morning,” which has won numerous awards, including Personality of the Year from the Radio Music Awards and “Radio and Records” magazine, and the Marconi Award from the National Association of Broadcasters.
In addition to his radio career, Big Boy has appeared in several films, including “The Players Club” and “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” and had a recurring role on the Fox series “Fastlane.” He launched his own production company, Ida’s Son Productions, in 2010 and produced the film “Exit Strategy” in 2012. He is also the author of the book “An XL Life: Staying Big at Half the Size.”
Big Boy was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2015 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2021.
Big Boy signs $10.5 million contract with iHeartMedia
In March 2015, Big Boy signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with iHeartMedia. The contract included an annual $200,000 video production budget, four weeks of vacation, and the use of a private jet for domestic travel (including Hawaii). Additionally, iHeartMedia committed to spending $1 million annually on marketing costs related to the show.
However, Big Boy’s former employer, Emmis Radio LLC, filed an injunction to prevent the new contract from being signed. Emmis, which had been paying Big Boy $1.45 million per year, claimed it should have been allowed to match the offer, which they attempted to do. The judge ultimately ruled against Emmis.
Early Life and Career
Big Boy, born Kurt Alexander in 1969 in Chicago, moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was just 2 years old. He faced challenges growing up, including homelessness, fatherlessness, and exposure to gang violence.
As a teenager, he discovered his passion for DJing and began spinning at parties for Culver City High School. He eventually landed a job as a bodyguard for the hip hop group The Pharcyde.
Big Boy’s big break came when he was offered a hosting position at Power 106, a popular radio station in Los Angeles. He found success in afternoon and nighttime hosting spots and became friends with the morning show hosts, the Baka Boyz.
Big Boy’s Career Highlights
In the late ’90s, Big Boy gained national recognition after being hired as the announcer for the syndicated talk show “Vibe.” He also appeared in the films “The Players Club” and “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” and guest-starred on “The Jamie Foxx Show” and “Entourage.” Big Boy later lent his voice to “The Proud Family” and “Chozen” and appeared in several films, including “The Longest Yard” and “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.”
Big Boy began hosting “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” after signing a deal with ABC Radio Networks and joined iHeartMedia in 2015. In 2018, iHeartMedia teamed up with Fuse Media to televise “Big Boy’s Neighborhood,” with Big Boy serving as an executive producer from 2018 to 2020.
Big Boy’s Near-Fatal Experience with Weight Loss Surgery
Radio host Big Boy underwent Duodenal Switch surgery and lost over 250 pounds. However, in a 2012 interview with “Black Enterprise,” he revealed that the surgery was nearly fatal. Big Boy spent 10 days in the intensive care unit, needed multiple blood transfusions, and was fed through a feeding tube. He warns others that surgery should always be a last resort for weight loss.
Big Boy is married and has two children, according to his bio on the “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” website.
