What Is Judge Joe Brown's Net Worth and Salary?
Judge Joe Brown is an American lawyer, judge, and television personality with a net worth of $10 million. He's best known for the long-running TV show "The Judge Joe Brown Show."
Early Life
Born Joseph Blakeney Brown Jr. on July 5, 1947, in Washington, D.C., Joe was raised in Los Angeles' Crenshaw District. He excelled in his studies, becoming valedictorian at Dorsey High School. Brown earned a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA in 1969 and completed his Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1973. While studying, he worked as a substitute teacher and joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Notably, he became Tennessee's first African-American prosecutor and later served as a judge in Shelby County's State Criminal Court.
Career
Judge Joe Brown rose to prominence while presiding over the appeal of the man accused of murdering Martin Luther King, Jr., though he was later replaced due to alleged bias. His handling of this high-profile case caught national attention.
In March 2014, Brown ran for Shelby County district attorney but lost to the Republican incumbent, Amy Weirich, by 30 percentage points.
"Judge Joe Brown"
Brown's newfound visibility led to the creation of "Judge Joe Brown" in 1998, following discussions with the producers of "Judge Judy." The show featured several celebrities, including Coolio and Rick James. Running for fifteen seasons from 1998 to 2013, Brown was the first Black man to preside over a courtroom TV show and the first Black person to lead such a long-running series.
(Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
Despite its success, ratings declined, prompting proposed salary cuts for Brown due to reduced advertising and licensing fees. Unwilling to accept new terms, Brown sought other distributors but ultimately, "Judge Joe Brown" was canceled in March 2013.
Salary
At its peak, Joe's salary reached $20 million per year, making him the second-highest-paid daytime TV personality, behind "Judge Judy." For many years, his show was also the second longest-running TV jurist program in the legal/courtroom genre.
Personal Life
Brown married Deborah Harron from 2001 to 2017 and has two sons from his first marriage.
Divorce and Financial Issues
In March 2014, Brown faced legal troubles when he was arrested in Memphis for contempt of court during a child support hearing, receiving a five-day jail sentence. During this period, he was also campaigning for Shelby County district attorney, with some speculating his outburst was a publicity stunt.
Brown settled a lengthy and contentious divorce in 2017, agreeing to pay $2,200 per month in support, while retaining his Tennessee home and several luxurious vehicles. By 2013, he claimed to have just $163,000 in cash, excluding non-liquid assets.
