Wood Harris Net Worth

Wood Harris is an accomplished American actor known for his acclaimed performance in gritty dramas. 

He first drew notice as the basketball phenom Motaw in Above the Rim (1994), then reached new heights portraying ruthless drug lord Avon Barksdale on HBO’s groundbreaking series The Wire (2002-2008). 

With a filmography filled with complex, intense characters, he has cemented himself as a go-to actor for hard-hitting stories. 

In this article, we discuss Harris’ current net worth and examine the prominent roles and projects that have defined his prolific career thus far. 

Wood Harris’ net worth and career

With memorable and acclaimed performances in films like Above the Rim, The Wire, and Creed, Harris has accrued impressive financial success over his long career. 

Harris now enjoys an estimated net worth of $2 million—not making him the wealthiest celebrity but still indicative of his talents in front of and behind the camera. 

Though most of his wealth comes from his acting work playing intense, scene-stealing characters, Harris has also earned income as a savvy producer on projects like his 2005 album “Beautiful Wonderful.” 

Wood Harris in ‘Hendrik’ (Source: IMDb)

Harris first made a name for himself as the basketball phenom Motaw alongside Tupac Shakur in 1994’s Above the Rim. But his big breakout role came in 2002 when he took on the part of ruthless Baltimore drug kingpin Avon Barksdale in the HBO series The Wire. 

He’s also shined playing prominent roles like flashy cocaine dealer Azie Faison in 2002’s Paid in Full and legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix in the 2000 biopic Hendrix.

Other standout appearances include films like Remember the Titans, Always and Forever, and roles in the 2012 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire and the recent series Empire, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, and Winning Time. 

Wood Harris’ role on ‘The Wire’

As the ruthless leader of the Barksdale drug trafficking organization in West Baltimore, Avon Barksdale is arguably Harris’ most acclaimed and memorable role to date. 

Introduced in the first season of The Wire in 2002, Harris’ portrayal of Barksdale left an indelible mark through his magnetic intensity, complexity, and brutality.

As the formidable kingpin striving to dominate the city’s drug trade, Harris brings a palpable swagger and intimidating persona to Barksdale. 

Yet he also reveals nuanced layers to the character, showcasing Barksdale’s fierce intelligence, calculating mind, and devotion to family and friends like Stringer Bell. 

Wood Harris as Avon Barksdale in ‘The Wire’ (Source: Hardwood and Hollywood)

Over the show’s first three seasons, Harris fleshes out Barksdale as a criminal mastermind grappling with shifting power dynamics both on the streets and within his crew.

The series’ most gripping moments center around his performance, particularly as Avon’s empire becomes embroiled in betrayals and a bloody turf war. 

The simmering feud and eventual violent split between Barksdale and Bell allowed Harris to display the character’s explosive temper and obsession with power.

Barksdale’s arrest and incarceration in later seasons spotlighted his talent for conveying the character’s subdued rage and ruthless pragmatism.

Critics overwhelmingly praised his magnetic work as Barksdale, deeming it a career-defining role. As The Wire ranks among the most acclaimed series of its era, Harris’ outstanding portrayal of Avon Barksdale remains a crowning achievement.

Wood Harris is also involved in the ‘Creed’ franchise

In addition to his breakout role as Barksdale on The Wire, Harris has made his mark in the renowned Rocky film franchise through the recent Creed movies. 

He plays Tony “Little Duke” Evers, son of Rocky’s original trainer Tony “Duke” Evers, in both the 2015 film Creed and its 2018 sequel Creed II.

As Little Duke, Harris manages the Los Angeles gym where Apollo Creed once trained and initially refused to coach Apollo’s illegitimate son, Adonis Creed. 

But in Creed II, with Adonis now the Heavyweight Champion, Little Duke agrees to train him for his high-stakes fight against Viktor Drago, son of Rocky’s infamous rival Ivan Drago. 

Wood Harris as Tony “Little Duke” Evers in the ‘Creed’ movies (Source: Yahoo!)

Harris brings his trademark intensity to the role, portraying Little Duke as a stern and focused trainer intent on preserving Apollo’s legacy through Adonis. 

Despite Adonis being pummeled early on by Drago, Little Duke helps guide his comeback, teaming up with Rocky himself to push Adonis to new heights.

The role allows Harris to tap into the grit and motivating spirit that made his part as Avon Barksdale memorable.

And much as The Wire cemented Harris as a standout actor, reprising Little Duke in Creed II has further showcased his talents to a wider mainstream audience. 

As the franchise continues, the role of Little Duke seems a natural fit for Harris’ commanding presence. Between the Creed films and iconic work like Barksdale, he has demonstrated his unmatched ability to inhabit tough, high-stakes mentors.

Wood Harris is also a part of the sports movie ‘Shooting Stars’

In addition to his acclaimed roles in gritty dramas, Harris takes on a more inspirational part in the 2023 film Shooting Stars. 

Based on LeBron James’ memoir, the movie chronicles James’ meteoric high school basketball career and his close-knit friends dubbed the “Fab Five.” Harris plays a key supporting role as Coach Dru Joyce II, the Fab Five’s dedicated coach.

As Coach Joyce, Harris provides a stabilizing, fatherly presence for the talented young players. He guides stars like LeBron James and Dru Joyce III through pressures on and off the court, instilling discipline and camaraderie.

Critics have praised his heartwarming performance, bringing nuance and wisdom to the coaching role. His chemistry with the teenage actors anchors the film’s emotional core. 

While much of the spotlight understandably falls on LeBron James’ journey to stardom, Harris manages to make Coach Joyce integral to the team dynamic. 

The actor captures both the coach’s motivational spirit in molding future basketball legends and his tender affection for his players. 

With Shooting Stars now streaming, the film provides a wider audience with a look at Harris’ versatility.  

And even in a supporting part, his Coach Joyce performance has emerged as quietly excellent — a steady, compelling presence that grounds the movie’s coming-of-age sports narrative. 

As Harris continues taking on eclectic new roles, Shooting Stars represents another standout entry in his stacked acting portfolio.