Blair Underwood, an American actor and filmmaker who has been active for over three decades, is a household name. His performances in various film, T.V., and theater projects have garnered him widespread recognition. Throughout his thirty-year career, Blair Underwood has amassed a net worth.
Blair Underwood Net Worth
American actor Blair Underwood has reportedly earned $8 million net worth throughout his career. He became well-known because of his role as dogged lawyer Jonathan Rollins in the hit N.B.C. drama “L.A.L.A. Law.” At the age of 21, Underwood made his cinematic debut in the 1985 picture “Krush Groove,” which launched his acting career. He also starred in the 2008 HBO series “In Treatment.”
History and Development
Born to parents Marilyn Ann Scales and Frank Eugene Sr. on August 25, 1964, in Tacoma, Washington, Blair Erwin Underwood is an American actor. His mom was an architect, and his dad was a colonel in the American Army. For this reason, Underwood spent his formative years moving about to various Army facilities in the U.S.U.S. and overseas. Following his time at Petersburg High School in Virginia, he enrolled at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama.
In many hit T.V.T.V. dramas, including L.A.L.A. Law, In Treatment, and Dirty Sexy Money, Underwood rose to notoriety due to his outstanding acting. From 1987 to 1994, he portrayed attorney Jonathan Rollins in the N.B.C. legal drama series L.A.L.A. Law. His first film performance was in the 1985 musical picture Krush Groove. His first kid, Paris, was born after he wed Desiree DaCosta in 1994.
Following his debut in Krush Groove, Underwood appeared on The Cosby Show in 1985, leading to a three-month role as Bobby Blue on the A.B.C. daytime drama One Life to Live. From 1986 through 1987, he was a main character and a recurring guest performer on the C.B.S. criminal thriller series Downtown.
Career
Underwood’s boyhood was spent at numerous Army posts in the United States and overseas due to his father’s career. After finishing high school, he headed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to enroll in the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University.
In 1985, Underwood made his acting debut in the musical film Krush Groove. Since then, he has had guest appearances on “The Cosby Show” and the A.B.C. daytime drama “One Life to Live.” After appearing in “21 Jump Street and “Scarecrow and Mrs. King”,” he had a recurring role in the 1986–1987 season of the C.B.S. crime drama “Downtown.”
In 1987, at 23, he landed the role of Jonathan Rollins on the N.B.C. legal drama L.A.L.A. Law. In 1991, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Frank Underwood.
He stayed with the program until its cancellation in 1994.
He featured with Mario Van Peebles in two films, 1990’s “Murder in Mississippi” and 1993’s “Posse,” while he was a regular on “L.A.L.A.
Among his numerous leading parts are those in “Set It Off” (1995) with Jada Pinkett Smith and “Just Cause,” a courtroom thriller in which he portrayed the antagonist. In addition, he had supporting roles in films like “Gattaca” and “Deep Impact” during the late ’90s.
Career Continues
Underwood maintained his work on television in addition to his career in movies.
He had screen time with Cicely Tyson in the 1998 docudrama “Mama Flora’s Family” and was featured on the A.B.C. drama series “High Incident.” In 2000, he starred as a doctor in the drama film “City of Angels.” He was recognized as one of the “Most Influential Faces of the 90s” by “People” magazine the same year. He appeared in four episodes of “Sex and the City” in 2003, all of which featured Cynthia Nixon as his on-screen girlfriend.
A year later, he co-starred with Heather Locklear in the N.B.C. drama “L.A.X.”
After co-starring with Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the C.B.S. comedy “The New Adventures of Old Christine”, he appeared in Tyler Perry’s second feature, “Madea’s Family Reunion,” in 2006.
A completely dramatized 89-hour audio Bible, “Inspired By…The Bible Experience,” which he worked on in 2007, features his voiceover work. He also worked with Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes on the novel “Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Novel.”
The following year, Underwood appeared in the pilot episode of the HBO drama series “In Treatment.” He received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 66th ceremony.
Charitable works
Blair’s involvement in charitable causes is extensive, complementing his work in the entertainment industry. His charitable contributions have benefited the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Family and Friends
In 1994, Underwood married Desiree DaCosta, and the couple eventually had three children. In 2021, however, they made public their intention to split up. Underwood is engaged with many nonprofits in addition to his acting profession. In 1993, he was honored with the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Humanitarian Award for his dedication to the Los Angeles M.D.A.
He was a spokesman for YouthAIDS and helped out at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s clinic in the nation’s capital. Also, Danny Glover’s Los Angeles-based nonprofit theater company, the Robey Theatre Company, which he co-founded, has him on its board of trustees as a Trustee.
F.A.Q.s
Has Blair Underwood ever served as a film director?
Blair Underwood has directed many films throughout his career, including both the short “The Second Coming” and the feature “The Bridge to Nowhere.” Additionally, he has directed episodes of popular programs, including “Gossip Girl” and “Quantico.”
Which nonprofits does Blair Underwood support?
YouthAIDS, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Clinic in Washington, D.C.D.C., and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Los Angeles, for which he received the Humanitarian Award in 1993, are just a few of the many charities that Blair Underwood supports. In addition, as a Trustee, he helps guide the Los Angeles-based Robey Theatre Company, which produces plays on the African-American experience.
Final thoughts
Blair Underwood has amassed a net worth of $8 million attests to his prominence in the media business. Over the last three decades, he has put in a lot of time and effort to develop a career that has been met with critical and commercial success. There is little question that Blair will be a formidable force in show business for many years, thanks to his skill, perseverance, and love for his chosen profession.
