Avery Brooks is a name that appeals to both Star Trek fans and lovers of theater. Known for his imposing presence and deep voice, he has made his mark as an actor, director, singer, and teacher. Let’s dive into Avery Brooks net worth and explore his life through his salary, nationality, age, height, family, movies, early years, and career, written in simple, original terms from my own thoughts.
Avery Brooks Net Worth
Avery Brooks net worth is $70 million as of 2025, according to Forbes. This comes from his decades in the spotlight – starring in hit TV shows, acting in films, directing, and teaching at university. His role as Captain Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine brought in a lot of wealth, and he also earned from narrating theater, music, and documentaries.
Even now, royalties from his work continue to flow in, and his work as a professor continues to add to his income. Brooks has built a solid financial legacy through his talent and hard work.
Avery Brooks Salary
It’s hard to pin down exact figures for Avery Brooks’ salary, but let’s consider this. In the 1990s, lead actors on popular shows like Star Trek could earn anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 per episode. As the star of Deep Space Nine for seven seasons, Brooks likely earned well per episode, especially as the show’s fame grew. He also directed episodes, which may have boosted his pay.
His previous role as Hawk in Spenser: For Hire probably paid less, but still added a boost to his bank account. In addition, his theater performances, such as his Paul Robeson show, and his music album Here brought in extra cash. As a professor at Rutgers University, he receives a steady salary, which for someone of his stature is probably $100,000 per year or more.
Avery Brooks Age and Height
Avery Brooks nationality is American; he was born and raised in the United States. He came into the world on October 2, 1948, which makes Avery Brooks age today 76 years old as of 2025. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, his tall, imposing presence suits his powerful stage and screen roles. His height gives him a larger-than-life feel, whether he’s playing a starship commander or a spy. I imagine he stands out with that cool, confident energy he’s known for.
Avery Brooks Wife
When it comes to Avery Brooks’ family and wife, he’s clear that he likes to keep things private. He’s been married to Vicki Lenora Brooks since 1976, and they’ve had a strong relationship for almost 50 years. Vicki has also served as an assistant dean at Rutgers, so they’ve worked alongside each other professionally.
They have three children—Ayanna, Cabral, and Asante—but Brooks doesn’t reveal much about them. He’s said in interviews that he likes to keep his family out of the public eye, and I respect that. It’s rare for someone so famous to keep his home life so private, but it shows how cool he is.
Avery Brooks Movies
Avery Brooks’ movie list isn’t as long as some actors, but it’s full of quality. He starred in Solomon Northup’s Odyssey (1984), a TV movie in which he played the man behind the book 12 Years a Slave. He was in Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1987), a TV movie for which he won awards.
In 1998, he played Dr. Bob Sweeney in American History X, a powerful film that made a huge impact. That same year, he also had a role in The Big Hit, which mixed action and laughs. In 2001, he starred opposite Robert De Niro in 15 Minutes. Beyond acting, Brooks narrated documentaries such as Walking with Dinosaurs, giving a rich voice to science and history. His roles show that he could do drama, action, or anything else with ease.
Early Life of Avery Brooks
Thinking about Avery Brooks’ early life, I imagine a child surrounded by music and dreams. He was born in Evansville, Indiana, in 1948, but he grew up in Gary, Indiana, a tough town with a vibrant culture. His mother was a music teacher and his father a singer, so music was in his soul from the beginning. His grandfather was also a preacher and artist, perhaps this spark for storytelling came from him.
Young Avery absorbed jazz and blues and later became a singer himself. He went to Indiana University, then Oberlin College and got degrees in acting and directing from Rutgers. Becoming the first African-American to earn an MFA there in 1976? That’s a big deal. His early years shaped him into a man who could act, sing and teach from the heart.
Also Read
Avery Brooks’ Career
Avery Brooks’ career is like a tapestry – woven from different threads of talent. He started in theater, doing Shakespeare plays and starring in Othello. His one-man show about Paul Robeson, activist and singer, was a passion project that took him to Broadway.
On TV, he made his mark in the 80s as Hawk, a tough and stylish man in Spenser: For Hire. Then came Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he played Sisko, a leader and father, for seven years. He also directed episodes, showing his creative range.
He acted in films like American History X and narrated projects that reached millions. As a professor at Rutgers, he shaped young artists, and his musical album Here gave them a chance to sing their truth. Brooks retired from big roles around 2011, but still teaches and does theater, staying connected to his roots.