Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black has become one of Netflix’s biggest drama hits, spending seven weeks in the Global Top 10 and reaching number one across 28 countries. With Season 2, Part 2 dropping on March 19, 2026, and a third and final season already confirmed, fans are curious about the real-life fortunes of the actors behind the Bellaire family drama.
So how much are the Beauty in Black cast members actually worth? Here’s every major cast member ranked by estimated net worth, from least to highest.
A quick note: Per-episode salaries for Beauty in Black have not been publicly disclosed. Under SAG-AFTRA rules updated in July 2024, series regulars on a one-hour streaming drama must earn at least $35,000 per episode. Tyler Perry is known for paying actors well, with Taraji P. Henson and Cory Hardrict both publicly confirming he paid them more than they’d ever earned before. However, exact figures for this cast remain private.
9. Julian Horton (Roy Bellaire) — Net Worth: Not Publicly Tracked
Julian Horton is the definition of a breakout star. Before landing the role of Roy Bellaire, he was best known as a former NFL signee who pivoted to acting. Beauty in Black is his first major on-screen role, and there simply isn’t enough financial history to produce a reliable net worth estimate. In a March 2026 interview, Horton discussed how Season 2, Part 2 was filmed in just three weeks, giving fans a glimpse into Tyler Perry’s famously fast-paced production schedule. With the show’s massive popularity and a final season on the way, Horton’s earning potential is only heading upward.
8. Steven G. Norfleet (Charles Bellaire) — Estimated Net Worth: $500,000
Steven G. Norfleet plays the scheming Charles Bellaire, and he’s been building a solid resume over the past several years. He had a recurring role in HBO’s critically acclaimed Watchmen and appeared regularly in Tyler Perry’s BET+ series Ruthless. One public records aggregator estimates his annual earnings at roughly $547,000, though this figure should be taken with a grain of salt. His growing visibility in the Tyler Perry universe and his consistent work in prestige television suggest his fortunes are climbing steadily.
7. Taylor Polidore Williams (Kimmie) — Estimated Net Worth: $500,000 to $1 Million
As the lead of the entire series, Taylor Polidore Williams has quickly become one of the most talked-about young actresses in Hollywood. Before Beauty in Black, she had recurring roles in FX’s Snowfall and the CW’s All American: Homecoming. She also starred in Tyler Perry’s film Divorce in the Black. Beyond acting, Williams runs Good Body Athletica, a fitness apparel brand she launched during the pandemic. Her social media following has exploded too, with over 348,000 Instagram followers and 584,000 on TikTok. Multiple sources estimate her net worth between $500,000 and $1 million, though some less reliable sites push the figure as high as $5 million. The lower range feels more realistic for now, but don’t be surprised if that number jumps considerably as the final season airs and new opportunities come her way.
6. Richard Lawson — Estimated Net Worth: $1 Million
Richard Lawson joined the Beauty in Black cast as a series regular, bringing over five decades of Hollywood experience with him. He’s best remembered for his role in the 1982 horror classic Poltergeist and his recurring part on Dynasty in the 1980s. Off-screen, he founded Richard Lawson Studios, where he mentors aspiring actors, and co-founded the WACO Theater Center. His personal life has also made headlines. He was married to Tina Knowles (Beyoncé’s mother) from 2015 until their divorce in 2023, which included a reported $300,000 settlement. Celebrity Net Worth and multiple other sources consistently place his fortune at around $1 million.
5. Bryan Tanaka (Officer Alex) — Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 Million
Bryan Tanaka might be best known for his high-profile relationship with Mariah Carey, but his career stands firmly on its own merits. As a dancer and choreographer, he’s worked with Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna. He appeared in the Oscar-winning film La La Land and has choreographed performances at the Grammys and MTV VMAs. In Beauty in Black, he plays Officer Alex across 18 episodes. Most sources estimate his net worth at around $1.5 million, though one places it at $500,000. Given his extensive career in dance, choreography, modelling for brands like Nike and Pepsi, and now his acting work, the higher estimate seems more credible.
4. Terrell Carter (Varney) — Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 Million
Terrell Carter brings serious range to his role as Varney. He’s an actor, singer, and author who has been a staple in the Tyler Perry world for years, performing lead roles in touring stage productions like Madea’s Class Reunion and Meet the Browns. He also had a recurring role on Fox’s Empire. On the music side, Carter has worked as a background vocalist and songwriter alongside artists like Beyoncé and Patti LaBelle. Net worth estimates for Carter vary wildly, from $200,000 on one site to $8 million on another. A mid-range estimate of around $1.5 million seems the most plausible given his diverse but primarily mid-tier career.
3. Ricco Ross (Horace Bellaire) — Estimated Net Worth: $2 Million
If you’re a sci-fi fan, you already know Ricco Ross. He played Private Frost in James Cameron’s Aliens back in 1986, a role that still earns him recognition four decades later. His career spans over 40 years and includes appearances in Mission: Impossible, Death Wish 3, P-Valley, and Bosch: Legacy. He’s also served on the SAG-AFTRA board, giving him unique insight into the industry’s inner workings. In Beauty in Black, Ross plays Horace Bellaire, who becomes a pivotal figure in the Season 2 finale. Net worth estimates range from $1 million to $5 million across various sources, with one clearly unreliable outlier claiming $45 million. A figure around $2 million seems reasonable for a working character actor with his tenure.
2. Crystle Stewart (Mallory Bellaire) — Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million
Crystle Stewart was famous long before Beauty in Black. She won the Miss USA crown in 2008, becoming the ninth Texan to hold the title. That win opened doors to endorsements, hosting gigs, and eventually a long-running lead role as Leslie Morris on Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse from 2011 to 2017. She also appeared in Perry’s films Good Deeds and Acrimony. From 2020 to 2023, Stewart served as the National Director of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, becoming the first African American woman in that position. She also founded the Miss Brand Corporation. Her net worth of $3 million is one of the most consistently reported figures among the entire cast, confirmed by Celebrity Net Worth and several other sources. Stewart is married to Belgian model Max Sebrechts, and they have two children.
1. Debbi Morgan (Olivia) — Estimated Net Worth: $12.5 Million
At the top of the list sits Debbi Morgan, and it isn’t even close. The veteran actress commands an estimated net worth of $12.5 million, built over a career spanning more than five decades. She’s best known for her iconic portrayal of Dr. Angie Hubbard on All My Children, a role she first took on in 1982 and reprised multiple times over the years. In 1989, she became the first African American actress to win a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Her film credits include Eve’s Bayou (which won her an Independent Spirit Award), Love & Basketball, and Coach Carter. She’s also appeared in Charmed and Power Book II: Ghost. In Beauty in Black, Morgan plays Olivia, and her presence lends the series a level of gravitas that only comes from decades at the highest level of the craft.
It’s worth understanding how Tyler Perry’s unique approach to production shapes what these actors earn. Perry writes, directs, and produces everything himself. He also shoots entire seasons in roughly two to three weeks, a pace that’s virtually unheard of in premium television. This means actors receive a lump sum that might be generous for a few weeks of work, but when you divide it across 16 episodes, the per-episode rate looks more modest. Perry has publicly stated that he tries to pay actors more than they’ve ever earned and aims to raise their industry “quote” for future jobs. For context, his personal net worth sits at approximately $1.4 billion.
