What is David Chase's Net Worth?
David Chase is an American screenwriter, showrunner, producer, and director who has a net worth of $80 million. He is widely known for creating the critically acclaimed HBO crime drama series "The Sopranos." Chase also created the series "Almost Grown," and contributed as a producer and writer for shows such as "The Rockford Files" and "Northern Exposure." In 2012, he made his feature film directorial debut with the drama "Not Fade Away," and later participated in "The Sopranos" prequel film "The Many Saints of Newark."
Early Life
David Chase was born on August 22, 1945, in Mount Vernon, New York, as the only child of Italian-American working-class parents, Norma and Henry. Raised in Clifton and North Caldwell, New Jersey, Chase had a tumultuous relationship with his parents and struggled with depression and panic attacks as a teenager. Initially aspiring to a music career, he attended Wake Forest University before transferring to New York University to pursue film. He later earned his MA from Stanford University's film school in 1971.
Career Beginnings
Chase started his Hollywood career as a story editor for ABC's "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." He went on to produce and write for series such as "The Rockford Files," "Switch," "I'll Fly Away," and "Northern Exposure." Chase received his first Emmy Award in 1978 as a producer on "The Rockford Files," and he earned another Emmy for the 1980 TV film "Off the Minnesota Strip." In 1986, he made his directorial debut with an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." In 1988, Chase created the series "Almost Grown," which, despite positive reviews, lasted only 10 episodes.
"The Sopranos"
In 1999, David Chase gained widespread fame by creating the HBO television crime series "The Sopranos." The show, inspired by Chase's experiences growing up in New Jersey, follows mobster Tony Soprano as he juggles his criminal enterprise and family life. The series stars James Gandolfini as Tony, with Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Dominic Chianese, Michael Imperioli, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and Robert Iler. The show is considered a landmark in the television industry, earning 21 Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and is credited with ushering in a new era of critically acclaimed TV dramas.
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Film Career
Chase transitioned to film in 2012 with "Not Fade Away," a coming-of-age drama set in 1960s New Jersey. The film featured John Magaro, Bella Heathcote, Molly Price, Christopher McDonald, Lisa Lampanelli, Brad Garrett, and "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini. In 2021, Chase returned to "The Sopranos" universe with "The Many Saints of Newark," a prequel that delves into the racial tensions and mob conflicts in Newark during the 60s and 70s. The film starred Michael Gandolfini, Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, and Ray Liotta.
Personal Life
After graduating from New York University in 1968, Chase moved to California and married his high school sweetheart, Denise Kelly. They have a daughter, Michele, who appeared in six episodes of "The Sopranos" as Hunter Scangarelo.
Real Estate
In 2012, David bought a penthouse apartment in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood for $9.65 million, selling it to tennis player Milos Raonic in April 2019 for $7.6 million. In December 2019, David and Denise purchased a home in Santa Monica, California, for just under $7 million.
