Action Bronson is an entertainment powerhouse who has successfully navigated the worlds of hip-hop, culinary arts, television, and fashion. The Albanian-American artist first made his mark as a respected gourmet chef before an injury led him to pursue music full-time. Beyond music and cooking, Bronson has expanded into fashion collaborations, most notably with New Balance, authored a cookbook, and made cameo appearances in films. This comprehensive profile explores the life, career, relationships, and financial success of one of music’s most colorful characters.
Action Bronson Biography
Born Ariyan Arslani on December 2, 1983, in Flushing, Queens, New York City, Action Bronson’s cultural heritage represents a fascinating blend of traditions. His father is Albanian Muslim, while his mother is American Jewish—a multicultural background that has influenced both his worldview and creative expression. Growing up in Queens, Bronson was primarily raised following his father’s Muslim traditions, providing him with a cultural perspective.
Bronson attended Bayside High School in Queens before pursuing his passion for culinary arts. Following his secondary education, he enrolled in the Arts Institute of New York’s culinary program, setting the foundation for what would initially be his primary career path. His family’s restaurant business in Queens reportedly inspired his culinary ambitions, giving him early exposure to the food industry.
Action Bronson Career
Before his music career took flight, Action Bronson established himself as a respected gourmet chef in New York City. He worked as a Fire Flame chef and even pioneered his own online cooking show called “Action in the Kitchen,” showing his genuine passion and talent for culinary arts. His expertise in the kitchen would later become a distinctive element of his musical identity.
The key moment in Bronson’s career trajectory came following an unfortunate accident in the kitchen that resulted in a broken leg. During his recovery period, he began focusing more intently on music, which had previously been merely a hobby. This unexpected detour ultimately led to one of the most remarkable career transitions in entertainment.
Action Bronson launched his musical journey with his debut studio album, “Dr. Lecter,” released independently through Fine Fabric Delegates in March 2011. Available primarily through digital downloads on his website, the album caught the attention of respected producer Statik Selektah, with whom he collaborated on his second album, “Well-Done,” released later that same year.
His collaborative spirit continued to flourish with the release of the mixtape “Blue Chips” in 2012, created alongside production team Party Supplies.
Bronson’s rising profile led to a management deal with Goliath Artists in 2012, placing him alongside notable acts like Eminem and Blink-182. That same year, he collaborated with The Alchemist on the mixtape “Rare Chandeliers” and signed with Warner Bros. Records and the concert booking agency NUE.
By 2013, Bronson had transitioned to Atlantic Records, through which he released the EP “Saaab Stories,” produced by Harry Fraud and featuring guest appearances from artists like Wiz Khalifa and Prodigy. He followed this with “Blue Chips 2,” further expanding his musical portfolio.
A significant milestone came in 2014 when Bronson toured with Eminem, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and 360 across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Later that year, he released “Easy Rider,” the first single from his major label debut album, “Mr. Wonderful,” which dropped in 2015 and debuted at an impressive #7 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
His discography continued to grow with “White Bronco” (2018) and “Only for Dolphins” (2020), the latter featuring hand-painted cover and interior art by Bronson himself, demonstrating his multifaceted artistic abilities.
Bronson’s charismatic personality and culinary background made him a natural fit for television. He gained significant media exposure through his food-centric shows on the Viceland channel, most notably “Fuck, That’s Delicious” (later renamed “That’s Delicious” for wider audiences). This culinary travel program followed Bronson worldwide as he explored diverse cuisines, often accompanied by fellow rappers The Alchemist, Meyhem Lauren, and Big Body Bes.
In 2017, he launched “The Untitled Action Bronson Show,” a food-oriented late-night talk and variety program featuring culinary and musical guests alongside unusual performers like sumo wrestlers, potters, and ax throwers. The show welcomed celebrities including Michael Imperioli, Mario Batali, Rosie Perez, and Awkwafina.
Extending his media presence further, Bronson has appeared in films, making cameo appearances in Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” (2019) as a coffin salesman and in Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island” (2020).
His literary pursuits include the cookbook “F*ck, That’s Delicious” (sometimes referred to as “That’s Tasty”), which shares recipes and techniques developed throughout his culinary journey.
Beyond music and food, Bronson has ventured into fashion collaborations, most notably with New Balance. His partnership with the footwear giant has produced several successful releases, including multiple iterations of the 990v6 silhouette. The upcoming Action Bronson x New Balance 990v6 “Untitled” (also called “Citizen of the World” or “Hi-Pink/Royal Blue”) represents their fourth 990v6 design.
Set to release in April 2025, this latest collaboration features a vibrant color palette combining white mesh and leather base with red overlays and bold accents of royal blue and purple. The design includes a chunky yellow midsole for a retro aesthetic and Bronson’s signature Baklava branding on the tongue tag. Part of New Balance’s prestigious MADE in USA line, the sneaker incorporates FuelCell midsole technology for premium comfort and performance.
Action Bronson’s lyrical content often revolves around food. He’s also known for making somewhat obscure references to sports teams and athletes, including professional wrestlers, bodybuilders, and figure skaters—elements that give his work a distinctive character.
His musical influences span diverse genres and artists, including Michael Jackson, Mobb Deep, the Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Queen, and Carlos Santana. Many critics and fans have noted stylistic and lyrical similarities between Bronson and Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan, though Bronson has developed his own artistic identity.
Action Bronson Personal Life and Relationships
Action Bronson has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships. While specific details about his dating history remain largely undisclosed, it is known that he has children from previous relationships—two children with one former girlfriend and a son (Benicio) with Valeria Salazar. He occasionally references his children in his music but generally keeps their identities protected from public scrutiny.
In 2020, Bronson embarked on a significant health journey, addressing concerns about his weight, which had reached approximately 400 pounds. Through disciplined eating habits and consistent exercise, he achieved a remarkable transformation, losing around 127 pounds by the end of that year. This physical change has been documented through his social media and in the fifth season of “That’s Delicious,” which explored his fitness lifestyle alongside his cooking.
Throughout his career, Bronson has faced criticism for certain lyrics and public statements deemed offensive. In 2016, his scheduled performance as the headlining act for George Washington University’s spring concert was canceled following student protests regarding his past homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic comments. Trinity College similarly disinvited him from their spring concert the same year due to comparable concerns.
Action Bronson Net Worth
Action Bronson has built substantial wealth through his diverse career endeavors. Estimates of his net worth vary, with figures ranging between $4 million and $16 million, according to different sources. His income streams include:
- Music sales, streaming, and performances
- Television show hosting and production
- Book sales from his cookbook
- Brand partnerships and merchandise
- Film appearances
- Sneaker collaborations with New Balance