Have you ever wondered what the net worth of Coodie Simmons is?
Simmons has built quite an empire through his career as a director, comedian, producer, and cinematographer. On top of that, he has a few credits as a screenwriter.
As of May 2023, Coodie Simmons net worth is $1.5 million. This post will walk you through how Simmons built his wealth.
Table of Contents
Early Life
Coodie, full name Clarence Ivy Simmons Jr., was born in Chicago on January 18th, 1971.
His mother, Wendy Simmons, was also born and raised in Chicago, where she met Clarence Simmons Sr.
Together, they had four children, with Coodie being the second oldest.
In the early days, Simmons’ parents encouraged his artistic side and his comedic chops. That’s why they convinced him to join his sister, Tonia Simmons, on her radio show.
After that, Coodie made his way to Julian High School. That’s where the first spark of passion for entertainment started.
He would take part in all the school talent shows and productions that went on throughout the years.
After high school, Simmons attended Northern Illinois University for a year. There, he studied Communications before expulsion due to academic and behavioral issues.
Then, Coodie decided to sharpen his stand-up comedy skills on Chicago’s South Side. That’s where he met his mentor, the late Bernie Mac.
Soon after, Danny Sorge approached the comedian about hosting a public access show.
Channel Zero
Channel Zero was one of Simmons’ first ventures into the media industry. In 1994, he co-founded the public access show with his close friend Danny Sorge.
Sorge initially pitched the show as a way to highlight the hip-hop scene in Chicago. To do that, they’d interview music fans attending live performances.
However, Simmons saw it as an opportunity to boost his profile and showcase his comedy. That’s why Coodie suggested Channel Zero cover concerts and interview artists instead.
At the time, this would’ve been tricky to do since neither Simmons nor Sorge had any press credentials. They didn’t let that stop them, though.
The budding TV hosts grabbed a video camera and a microphone and started sneaking into shows.
Their program quickly gained a lot of attention in the inner city streets of Chicago. That’s because it gave viewers a glimpse into the backstage life of celebrities.
Coodie Simmons and Kanye West
Following his rise to fame, Simmons met producer Kanye West in 1998. The American rapper had just signed on to Roc-A-Fella and wanted to document his journey.
So, Coodie put on his young filmmaker hat and began following West’s daily life.
Then, Kanye decided to use the footage they collected to create a music video. That’s when the rapper introduced Simmons to Chike Ozah who was working with MTV at the time.
The “dynamic duo” quickly became friends and lifelong collaborators.
That brings us to the early 2000s. Their first project was Kanye West’s “Through the Wire” music video. They then directed the singer’s third music video for “Jesus Walks.”
Creative Control
In 2007, Chike and Coodie co-founded the production company Creative Control. This would become an incredibly lucrative business venture for both partners.
Their main focus, in the beginning, was raw aesthetics. Together, they produced videos such as “Window Seat,” “Culo,” and “Old School Love.”
Since then, the company has produced traditional film pieces like “Good Morning” and “Benji.”
During the production company’s tenure, the pair worked with many A-list celebrities. That includes big names like Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, Pitbull, and Erykah Badu.
In 2017, Simmons and Ozah created the Accel Origins Series. It’s a documentary film group that follows entrepreneurs as they build their empires.
The series tells the story of Hayshree Ulal, Ryan Smith, Amr Awadallah, and Lynda Weinman.
This brings us to one of Chike and Coodie’s biggest projects to date. By 2022, the Kanye documentary was ready for release.
Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy premiered on Netflix and received generally positive reviews.
Coodie Simmons Net Worth 2023
As of May 2023, Coodie Simmons has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. Unfortunately, there’s little information about his current earnings and real-estate holdings.
Yet, with many music videos and short movies, Coodie has amassed an impressive nest egg. He remains a great work partner with Chike Ozah, and they plan on working together in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Coodie Simmons and Kanye Friends?
Coodie Simmons and Kayne met in 1998 and have enjoyed a healthy friendship since then. They’ve worked on many projects, including the documentary about the rapper’s rise to fame.
Where Are Coodie and Chike Now?
The dynamic duo remains friends to this day, and both of them live in New York. They spend most of their time creating new projects for their production company.
Key Takeaways
Follow Your Passion
Coodie Simmons realized his passion for the entertainment business from a young age. He then followed his dreams to become a successful producer, filmmaker, and director.
Hard Work Is Key
Even though Channel Zero was an excellent opportunity, Simmons made it better. With little confidence and hard work, anything is possible.
Good Friends Are Forever
Many of Simmons’ greatest successes happened alongside his lifelong friends. They help each other become better and grow.