Born Cheyenne David Jackson on the 12th July 1975, in Spokane, Washington, USA, he is an award-winning actor, who came to prominence with his roles in theater, such as Jimmy Smith and Trevor Graydon – as a repalcement – in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, Chad in “All Shook Up”, and as Sonny Malone in “Xanadu”, while on screen he is best known for his recent roles in the TV series “American Horror Story”, and as Danny Baker in the TV series “30 Rock”.
Have you ever wondered how rich Cheyenne Jackson is, as of late 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Jackson’s net worth is as high as $5 million, an amount mostly earned through his successful career as an actor since 2002, but his net worth has also benefited from his work in the music industry; he has released three albums, including the collaboration with Michael Feinstein– “The Power of Two” – in 2008.
Cheyenne Jackson Net Worth $5 Million
The third child born to David, a Native American, and his wife Sherri Jackson, Cheyenne was named for the 1960s TV hero, and was raised with his two brothers and a sister in Oldtown, Idaho before the family moved permanently to Spokane when he was a teenager.
He later lived in Seattle where he worked as an ad executive at a magazine, but was drawn to theater, and earned an Equity card. Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, he moved to New York and started pursuing a career as an actor, beginning in local theaters playing such characters as Tony in “West Side Story”, then Cain in “Children of Eden”, and as Rocky in “The Rocky Horror Show”, among others. At least his net worth was established.
He made his Broadway debut in the play “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, portraying both male lead characters, and continued with some successful portrayals as Chad in “All Shook Up” in 2005, for which he received a Theatre World Award in the category Outstanding Broadway Debut, and Drama League Award nomination in the category for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor, then as Sonny Malone in “Xanadu”, for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination in category Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor, and Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance. Most recently he appeared as Dr. Nevill Craven in “The Secret Garden” in 2016.
After his successful start, Cheyenne wanted to try himself on screen, and after a role in the short film “Curiosity” in 2005, the following year he was cast as Mark Bingham in the historical drama film “United 93”, starring David Alan Basche and Olivia Thirlby. He came to prominence in 2009 when he was selected for the role of Danny Baker in the TV comedy series “30 Rock”, appearing in 12 episodes of the Golden Globe Award-winning series through 2012, which certainly increased his wealth. His performance drew the attention of producers and directors, and between 2009 to 2012, Cheyenne made several other successful appearances, including in the lead roles in the horror thriller film “Hysteria” (2010), then in the romantic drama “The Green” in 2011, followed by an appearance in the comedy film “Lola Versus”, with Greta Gerwig, Zoe Lister-Jones, and Hamish Linklater in the lead roles. He continued in the biopic about Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson, “Behind the Candelabra” in 2013, starring Michael Douglas, Matt Damon and Scott Bakula, and a supporting role in the romantic drama “Love Is Strange”, featuring John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, and Marisa Tomei as the stars of the film. In 2015 he was chosen for the role of Will Drake in the TV horror drama series “American Horror Story”, and was brought back to the cast in 2016 and 2017 of the popular series, playing Dr. Rudy Vincent and then Sidney James, which added a substantial amount to his wealth.
Aside from starring in the Golden Globe Award-winning series, Cheyenne also starred in the comedy film “Bear with Us” (2016), alongside Lea DeLaria, and Christy Carlson Romano, for which he won several awards at film festivals, including the Orlando Film Festival Award in the category for Best Ensemble Cast in a Feature Film, among other recognitions.
He is currently working on the thriller film “Splitting Image” which is in post-production and scheduled for release late in 2017, and on the TV comedy series “American Woman”, also scheduled for a premiere in 2017.
Regarding his personal life, Cheyenne is openly gay, and was married to Monte Lapka from 2011 until 2013. Since 2014 he has been married to actor Jason Landau, and the two have twins, born in 2016.
He is well-known for his philanthropic activities; Cheyenne serves as an ambassador for The Foundation for AIDS Research, and is also a spokesperson and ambassador for the Hetrick-Martin Institute, which is a non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of LGBT Youth.
Theatre World Award - Outstanding Broadway Debut (2005), Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Ensemble Cast (2006), Orlando Film Festival Award - Best Ensemble Cast in a Feature Film
Albums
“The Power of Two” (2008), “West Side Story” (2014), “Renaissance” (2016)
Nominations
Grammy Award - Best Musical Theater Album (2015), Drama League Award - Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (2008, 2010), Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (2005), Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance
Movies
“Curiosity” (2005), “Hysteria” (2010), “The Green” (2011), “Bear with Us” (2016), “Splitting Image”, “American Woman” (2017)
[on how to play a gay leading character] It's whatever serves the situation best. As for me, it's all about finding truth. Up until just recently [2010], I've never really played gay characters on television or Broadway or anything. If it's funny to me and it's real, I don't care if you're straight or gay or an alien or a dog. I want to make it real. Since I'm a gay man, I know what is honest and feels right.
2
To be frank, I think I've missed out on big parts because I'm open. I've screen-tested on some really big projects, and you can't tell me that behind closed doors big execs aren't like, 'We have Dean Cain or this gay guy who played Elvis on Broadway.' I'm not that naive to think that that doesn't play into it.
3
On the set of United 93 (2006) we spent so many hours bleeding, screaming, crying, praying, and trying to imagine every possibility of what these people were going through. It was an environment of deep dark places. But, at the end of the day the we could wash off our makeup and come out of those places.
4
[on his role as amfAR ambassador]: There has to be action... It's not enough to just want change or wish change. I feel that if you have the means, if you are physically able to make a difference in someone else's life you have a moral responsibility to do so.
5
[on which actress he most admires]: Jane Fonda is fiercely honest and open, and that's obvious from every performance she gives whether on film or the stage. She is a person who lives by her convictions and was willing to pay the price to pave the way for a whole generation of activists who came after her.
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Fact
1
Worked in advertising at a magazine in Seattle until he was nearly age 27, but decided to pursue acting after the 9/11 attacks.
2
Did not start acting until he was in his late twenties.
3
Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor, for "Finian's Rainbow", Drama Desk [2010].
4
Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor, for "Xanadu", Drama Desk. [2008]
5
Won Theatre World Award for outstanding Broadway debut in "All Shook Up". [2005]
6
Nominated for outstanding performance by a lead actor, for "All Shook Up", Outer Critics Circle Award. [2005]
7
Drama League Award nominations: "All Shook Up" (2005 - lead actor nominee), "Xanadu" (2008 - leading actor nominee).
$5 Million
