What is Jon M. Chu's Net Worth?
Jon M. Chu is a talented film director, producer, and screenwriter with a net worth of $25 million. He is best known for directing a range of popular films including "Step Up 2: The Streets," "Now You See Me 2," "Crazy Rich Asians," and the adaptations of the Broadway musicals "In the Heights" and "Wicked." Chu received significant acclaim for "Crazy Rich Asians," a groundbreaking film that featured a majority Asian cast, a distinction not seen from a major Hollywood studio in 25 years. In addition to his film work, Chu has also directed television projects such as the pilot episodes of "Good Trouble" and "Home Before Dark."
Early Life and Education
Jonathan Murray Chu was born on November 2, 1979, in Palo Alto, California, and raised in the nearby city of Los Altos. As the youngest of five siblings, Chu grew up in a family with deep Taiwanese and Chinese roots. He attended Pinewood School from kindergarten through high school and later pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, earning a BFA degree in film and television production in 2003.
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Film Career
Jon M. Chu began his feature film directing career with the 2008 dance film "Step Up 2: The Streets," a commercial hit that earned over $150 million worldwide. He followed this with "Step Up 3D" in 2010, another success grossing a similar amount. His 2011 concert film "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" also gained widespread attention, leading to the follow-up "Justin Bieber's Believe" in 2013.
Chu directed the 2013 action-packed "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," starring Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, and Channing Tatum. Although "Jem and the Holograms" (2015) faced poor reviews and box office performance, Chu rebounded with "Now You See Me 2" (2016), a heist film that raked in over $330 million globally.
Chu's magnus opus, "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018), based on Kevin Kwan's novel, featured stars like Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, and Gemma Chan. The movie received rave reviews and grossed $239 million worldwide. Chu continued his success with the musical drama "In the Heights" (2021) and is currently working on the adaptation of the Broadway musical "Wicked," featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, set for a two-part release in 2024 and 2025.
(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Television Career
Chu ventured into television with the Hulu series "The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers," running from 2010 to 2011. After a hiatus from the small screen, he returned in 2019, directing the comedy special "Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho" and the pilot episode of Freeform's "Good Trouble." In 2020, Chu directed the first two episodes of Apple TV+'s "Home Before Dark."
Personal Life
Jon M. Chu married Kristin Hodge in 2018, and together they have two children: a daughter named Willow, named after the 1988 fantasy film, and a son named Jonathan.
Real Estate
In late 2023, Jon Chu acquired an $11 million home located between Malibu and Calabasas, from singer Halsey. In 2021, he purchased a home in Calabasas for $3.7 million, which he sold in 2024 for $5 million.
