Judge Joe Brown has a net worth of $10 million.
He renowned for his authoritative demeanor and keen legal insights, has left an indelible mark on the realm of television jurisprudence.
As a prominent figure in the realm of courtroom reality shows, his astute adjudications and unwavering demeanor captivated audiences for years.
Beyond his televised persona, Judge Joe Brown’s net worth stands as a testament to his multifaceted career and enduring influence.
With a career spanning both the legal and entertainment spheres, his financial standing reflects not only his success in the courtroom but also his ventures in media and beyond.
Let’s delve into the intriguing tale of Judge Joe Brown’s net worth, a testament to a lifetime of dedication and achievement.
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Judge Joe Brown Net Worth
Judge Joe Brown is an American lawyer, judge and television personality who has a net worth of $10 million.
He is best known for appearing on “The Judge Joe Brown Show.”
Early Life
Joseph Blakeney Brown Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. on July 5, 1947.
He grew up in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles and graduated as valedictorian from Dorsey High School.
In 1969, he earned his B.A. in Political Science, followed by his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from UCLA in 1973.
While studying, he worked as a substitute teacher and was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Afterward, he became Tennessee’s first African-American prosecutor and later served as a judge in the State Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee.
Judge Joe Brown Career
Judge Joe Brown gained national attention presiding over the appeal of the man accused of murdering Martin Luther King, Jr. However, he was replaced by another judge due to alleged bias.
Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney of Georgia stated that Brown informed her and the Congressional Black Caucus that the purported murder rifle was not the weapon used to kill Martin Luther King, Jr.
In March 2014, Brown emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for the role of Shelby County District Attorney.
However, he suffered defeat in the general election, losing to Republican incumbent Amy Weirich by a margin of 30 percentage points.
Judge Joe Brown
Judge Judy noticed Judge Brown during the trial.
In 1998, the producers of “Judge Judy” approached him.
This led to the launch of “Judge Joe Brown.”
The show featured several celebrities like Coolio and Rick James.
It premiered on September 14, 1998, running for fifteen seasons until 2013.
“Judge Joe Brown” made history as the first courtroom TV show presided over by a Black man.
Additionally, Brown became the first Black person to helm a long-running courtroom series.
However, towards the end of its run, the show’s ratings began to decline.
In the February 2013 Nielsen rating sweeps, it experienced a 20% drop.
Due to the ratings decline, advertising costs, and licensing fees, Brown was informed of a salary cut.
Unwilling to continue under the new terms, he explored other options for the show.
On March 26, 2013, it was officially announced that “Judge Joe Brown” was canceled.
Salary
In its last seasons, Joe reportedly earned $20 million annually.
Throughout the show’s duration, Judge Brown ranked as the second-highest-paid daytime TV personality, following “Judge Judy.”
Before its cancellation, “Judge Joe Brown” held the title of the second longest-running television jurist.
The show airs in syndication across the U.S., featured on Bounce TV during daytime hours.
Within the legal/courtroom genre, Brown’s show secured the second spot, just below “Judge Judy.”
Throughout its run, “Judge Joe Brown” stood as the top male-arbitrated TV series.
Personal Life
Judge Brown was married to Deborah Harron from 2001-2017.
He has two sons from his first marriage.
Divorce and Financial Issues
In March 2014, authorities in Memphis, Tennessee, arrested Brown on five counts of contempt of court and verbal abuse charges.
This followed an outburst during a child support hearing before Judge Harold “Hal” Horne.
Brown received a five-day jail sentence, which he served from August 27 to September 1, 2015, at the Shelby County Corrections Facility.
During this incident, Brown was also campaigning in the Democratic Primary for district attorney general in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Some viewed his outburst as a publicity stunt for his campaign, while others criticized the magistrate for the severity of the punishment.
Brown maintains that he stands by his actions and would react the same way again under similar circ*mstances.
In addition to his legal troubles, Brown went through a prolonged and contentious divorce with his ex-wife, which concluded in 2017.
As part of the settlement, Brown agreed to pay his ex-wife $2200 per month in support.
Despite financial difficulties, he retained ownership of his Tennessee home and several vehicles, including a Porsche 911, a Range Rover, a Land Rover, and a Jeep.
In 2013, Brown claimed to possess only $163,000 in cash, not including other non-liquid assets.