Next December will mark 16 years since the release of dream girls. The musical drama film was written and directed by Bill Condon and became one of Hollywood’s most expensive, predominantly African-American productions.
DreamWorks Pictures injected a budget of around $80 million into the project and sought out some of the best talent to star in the film. BeyonceJennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx were all part of an all-star cast, most of whom remain close friends today.
Foxx was still fresh from his Oscar-winning performance in Ray when he was approached to be featured in dream girls. Perhaps still living up to that success, he initially refused to sign, until Beyoncé and Murphy joined the cast, and he changed his mind.
The film was adapted for the big screen from the similarly titled 1981 play and, according to the official diary line, told the story of a “trio of black female soul singers, [who] cross the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way.
Of this impressive cast, who has amassed the most wealth today?
ten Anika Noni Rose – $3 million
The character of Anika Noni Rose in dream girls was Lorrell Robinson, a third of the songbirds at the heart of the story.
Rose would go down in history as Disney’s first African-American princess, voicing the character of Tiana in The princess and the Frog. She is currently worth $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
9 Jaleel White – $8 million
Jaleel White was already well known as “Steve Urkel of Family matters» when he appeared in dream girls. In the musical film, he portrayed a talent booker at the Detroit Theater talent show.
White is said to be worth around $8 million today.
8 Loretta Devine – $10 million
Veteran actress Loretta Devine did not play one of the main roles in dream girls, appearing only as a jazz singer. However, she was in early stage productions, mostly as Lorell Robinson.
Devine is also best known for her work on Grey’s Anatomywhich won him an Emmy in 2011. His net worth today stands at around $10 million.
7 Jennifer Hudson – $30 million
Jennifer Hudson Reportedly Asked To Gain Weight To Play The Lead Role Of Effie In dream girls. This decision worked wonders, as she eventually won the Oscar for “Best Supporting Actress”.
The multi-talented star has since been granted EGOT status and is now believed to be worth around $30 million.
6 Danny Glover – $40 million
Another seasoned actor to feature in dream girls was Danny Glover, as a talent agent struggling to stay relevant.
Glover is now 76 years old and has managed to amass an approximate net worth of $40 million.
5 John Lithgow – $50 million
The role of John Lithgow in dream girls might not have been as big as most of the names on this list, but his net worth of $50 million certainly earns him a spot.
His character was a film producer known as Jerry Harris. Lithgow is also an age mate with Danny Glover.
4 John Krasinski – $80 million
Like John Lithgow, Office star John Krasinski played only a very partial role in dream girls. He appeared as a director working with Jerry Harris, under the name Sam Walsh.
Krasinski’s net worth is now said to be around $80 million.
3 Jamie Foxx – $170 million
Jamie Foxx’s Curtis Taylor, Jr. was the main antagonist of dream girls. The character was loosely based on Berry Gordy, Jr., the founder of Motown.
Foxx has played many other iconic movie roles over the years and has amassed a net worth of around $170 million.
2 Eddie Murphy – $200 million
In dream girls, Eddie Murphy played an experienced musician called Jimmy “Thunder” Early. Like Danny Glover’s Marty Madison, Jimmy was also struggling to stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape.
Murphy’s many other pursuits — in comedy, music and film — have helped him amass a wealth valued at $200 million.
1 Beyonce – $500 million
It’s no surprise Beyoncé tops the list of richest alumni dream girls cast members. In fact, with a net worth of up to half a billion dollars, she stands above everyone else on the list.
Her character in the film was known as Deena Jones, one of the three “Dreamettes”, as the name of the three-woman singing group aptly sang.
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