Why this mid-decade (2025) study matters
Clifton Powell is a classic working actor: four decades, 200+ credits, memorable supporting turns that keep stories moving—Ray, Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, Next Friday, Friday After Next, Rush Hour, and steady TV (Saints & Sinners, The Family Business, Black Mafia Family). That longevity rarely makes blockbuster headlines, but it builds a real, middle-class Hollywood life. This mid-decade (2025) financial overview puts numbers behind that reality: an estimated $400,000–$500,000 net worth, powered by acting checks, residuals, and community-rooted businesses in Pasadena run with his family.
Career income: many roles, modest slices
Screen work (core engine)
Powell’s filmography leans heavily toward supporting roles—reliable day rates or episode fees rather than star quotes. On network and basic-cable series, seasoned supporting players commonly earn low- to mid-five figures per episode; feature film days range from SAG-AFTRA minimums upward depending on budget and billing. Over time, that cadence, plus residuals from syndicated runs and streaming, forms a steady (if uneven) income stream.
Examples of roles anchoring residuals and quote growth
- Films: Ray (NAACP Image Award nomination), Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, Rush Hour, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Next Friday, Friday After Next.
- Television: Saints & Sinners, The Family Business, Martin (guest), Black Mafia Family, various TV films and guest arcs.
- Voice work: “Big Smoke” in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, one of gaming’s most enduring characters—useful for long-tail royalties where applicable.
Producing and new projects
Powell’s lead/producer turn on the limited series Thankful (as David “Pop” Winans) signals occasional upside beyond acting day rates—producer fees and potential backend participation can increase take-home in active years.
Community businesses
Powell co-owns The Gourmet Cobbler Factory and Clifton’s Gourmet Barbecue in Pasadena with his family, operating since the early 2000s. Local press and city guides credit Powell as owner/operator, with his wife often cited as a co-owner/manager. Small hospitality margins are thin, but owner-operators can draw steady income, especially with loyal neighborhood followings and catering.
Money in vs. money out (plain language)
Money in (typical year, directional)
| Source | Description | Mid-decade (2025) direction |
|---|---|---|
| Screen acting | Supporting roles in TV/film; occasional TV movies | Episodic and day-rate driven; fluctuates by bookings |
| Residuals | Reruns/streaming/pay TV for film & TV | Declining per-title over time; broad base helps |
| Voice & appearances | Video game legacy, convention/niche appearances | Episodic, modest but durable |
| Producer income | Thankful and select indie projects | Project-specific, not annualized |
| Restaurants & catering | Owner-operator draw + seasonal spikes | Steady local demand; variable after costs |
Money out (structural costs)
| Outflow | Notes | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes | Federal + CA/LA local (effective often 30%–40% for working actors) | High |
| Representation | Agent (10%), manager (up to 10–15%), attorney (5% on deals) | Medium–High on gross |
| Guild dues/benefits | SAG-AFTRA dues; health/retirement contributions | Low–Medium |
| Living costs (LA) | Housing, transportation, family expenses | Medium–High |
| Restaurant overhead | Rent, payroll, food costs (~28–35%), utilities, insurance | High but partly offset by owner draw |
| Project self-investment | Independent producing costs (development, travel) | Variable |
Key takeaway: Powell’s finances look like a diversified small business: acting checks plus local business income, both trimmed by taxes and high-cost-of-living expenses.
Mid-decade 2025 snapshot and assumptions
Financial snapshot (2025)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated net worth (2025) | $400,000–$500,000 |
| Primary engine | Acting (supporting roles + residuals) |
| Secondary engine | Family-run restaurants in Pasadena; catering/holidays bolster cash flow |
| Recent/ongoing work | Lead/producer on Thankful (David “Pop” Winans); recurring/guest TV |
| Awards/recognition | NAACP Image Award nomination (Supporting Actor, Ray) |
| Family | Married to Kimberly Powell; two children, including Clifton Powell Jr. |
Why the net-worth range is modest (but resilient)
- Supporting roles spread across many titles rarely deliver life-changing single checks; they deliver steady, cumulative earnings.
- Residuals taper per title, but a large catalog cushions slow years.
- Restaurants provide community-based income and brand presence but require constant reinvestment and tight cost control.
- Producer roles add upside in active production windows.
Simple mid-decade model (illustrative only)
Illustrative “money in” (active year)
| Line item | Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Screen acting (TV/film) | $120k–$250k | Mix of episodes, TV movies, features |
| Residuals | $20k–$60k | Highly variable by airings/streaming |
| Producer/consulting | $0–$50k | Project-dependent |
| Restaurants owner draw | $40k–$90k | After overhead; seasonality applies |
| Indicative gross | $180k–$450k | Directional, not an average |
Illustrative “money out” (active year)
| Line item | %/Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes (effective) | 30%–40% of taxable | After deductions/credits |
| Agent/manager/legal | 15%–25% of acting gross | Deal-linked |
| Restaurant overhead reinvest | Ongoing | Inventory, payroll, upkeep |
| Living costs (LA) | Ongoing | Housing/transport/family |
| Indicative net cash build | Highly variable | Strongly tied to bookings |
These tables are directional to clarify mid-decade (2025) dynamics; they are not audited financials.
Career and business notes that affect 2025 cash flow
Screen depth = residual resilience
Powell’s wide catalog keeps small checks arriving. Larger, older titles (Ray, Friday sequels) and current TV runs (BMF, Saints & Sinners, The Family Business) help smooth the line when fresh roles pause.
Producer turn = selective upside
With Thankful positioning Powell as both lead and producer, he captures more slices—fee plus potential backend—when projects move forward, though such income is lumpy.
Restaurants = community brand and steady draw
Local coverage, city food lists, and guidebooks consistently cite The Gourmet Cobbler Factory and Clifton’s Gourmet Barbecue as Powell-family operations. Owner-operators can protect margins via catering, holidays (cobblers), and neighborhood loyalty, but the category is cost-heavy and labor-intensive.
Outlook: 12–24 months from mid-decade (2025)
- Base case: Net worth holds around $400k–$500k with role mix similar to recent years, residuals supplementing cash, and restaurants steady.
- Upside case: One strong recurring TV arc or a hit limited series (plus producing fees) can lift annual cash significantly; heightened local press or shipping/catering expansion increases restaurant contribution.
- Pressure points: Prolonged booking gaps, restaurant cost spikes (labor/ingredients), or capital repairs could compress savings.
Summary (mid-decade 2025)
Clifton Powell’s mid-decade (2025) net worth—~$400,000 to $500,000—fits a veteran character actor who diversified into neighborhood hospitality. The money story is practical: many supporting roles, reliable (modest) residuals, periodic producing fees, and steady community business income, all balanced against taxes, representation, LA living costs, and restaurant overhead. It’s the profile of a working entertainer who turned consistency and community roots into durable, if modest, financial stability.
Disclaimer: This is an informational mid-decade (2025) financial overview. Figures are estimates derived from public reporting and industry norms; they are not forensic accountings or financial advice.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Powell
https://eurweb.com/clifton-powell-leads-and-produces-thankful-as-david-pop-winans-video/
https://cliftonsgourmetbbq.com/
https://la.eater.com/2025/3/3/24377028/gourmet-cobbler-factory-bakery-pasadena-history-los-angeles
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/clifton-powell-net-worth-2025-151152828.html
