Rich Dudes│How James Corden Talked His Way to a $70M Net Worth

James Kimberley Corden, AKA James Corden, is a multi-talented English superstar with an impressive $70 million net worth as of 2023. Best known for his hilarious wit and engaging humor in the mega-hit sitcom Gavin & Stacey, as well as the entertaining Late Late Show, Corden has won the hearts of audiences around the globe.

Corden excels in entertainment and has made quite a splash with his keen investments in real estate, stocks, and lavish assets.

James was born in London on August 22, 1978, to Margaret Corden and Malcolm Corden. The English actor and TV star grew up in Buckinghamshire with his two sisters, Ruth Corden and Andrea Henry Corden, where he discovered his inner thespian.

James Corden went to Park Middle School and then Holmer Green Upper School. His debut on stage came at 18, having a one-line role in the 1996 musical Martin Guerre. He has three children: Carey Corden, Max Corden, and Charlotte Corden.

James Corden, the English actor, comedian, and TV personality, first found his footing in the entertainment world with roles in series like Gavin and Stacey and movies such as Trolls and Cats. Born in London and raised in Buckinghamshire, James pursued acting from a young age, attending stage school and eventually stepping into the limelight with Alan Bennett's The History Boys.

As Corden began making a name for himself in acting, he scored some pretty cool commercials. As industry folks noticed, he snagged roles in movies like Whatever Happened to Harold Smith?, All or Nothing, Heartlands, Fat Friends, and Cruise of the Gods.

Corden's early experiences and comedic talent culminated in co-creating and starring in the beloved British sitcom Gavin and Stacey, where he played the role of Smithy.

Gavin & Stacey was a massive hit with rave reviews from critics, with Corden earning award nominations. He scored a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performer and bagged a similar award at the British Comedy Awards.

However, the turning point in his career came in 2014 when he was offered a $5 million a year salary to succeed Craig Ferguson as the host of The Late Late Show.

Embracing the opportunity and moving to LA with his spouse, Julia Carey, the late-night talk show host skyrocketed to international fame, which significantly contributed to his financial success.

Through his exceptional talent, hard work, and dedication to the entertainment industry, James Corden transformed himself into a household name and secured his future as a prosperous entertainer.

James Corden's salary took a significant leap thanks to The Late Late Show, serving as a game-changer for his rising net worth. His earnings climbed to $9 million per year, along with bonus perks for boosting TV ratings on the CBS network.

With Corden at the helm, The Late Late Show experienced a surge in ratings, averaging 800,000 viewers, largely thanks to the popular segment Carpool Karaoke. The show featured Corden and celebrity musicians playing karaoke while driving a car in traffic. Its massive success caught Apple's attention, leading to a spin-off series showcasing even more celebrity musicians.

Over his illustrious career, the television host has won several awards, including the Best Male Comedy Performer in 2008 for his role in Gavin and Stacey, ten Emmy Awards, and various British comedy accolades.

Corden penned two books: a memoir titled May I Have Your Attention Please? about his life's journey, and Gavin & Stacey: From Barry to Billericay delves into the hit show he co-wrote and co-starred in.

These accomplishments further solidify Corden's reputation as a gifted entertainer and a driving force in the industry.

Most of James Corden's investments are in the entertainment industry, but he has also dabbled in some unconventional ventures. These unique opportunities have not only boosted his reputation among investors and contributed to his soaring net worth in recent years.

James Corden has diversified his investments by venturing into private equity. In 2022, he invested in Finnish wellness startup Hintsa and cryptocurrency exchange Moonpay, joining other celebrities in raising significant funds for these ventures. Corden also backed the 2020 startup Imprint, a branded payments company that successfully secured $38 million in a Series A funding round.

1. Fulwell 73

In 2017, James Corden became the fifth partner in the major production company Fulwell 73, which produces The Late Late Show and has produced for major stars like Justin Bieber, Jimmy Carr, and One Direction.

With assets worth $140 million, James Corden’s share in Fulwell 73 is around $28 million.  The powerhouse company is nowhere near stopping, as it posted a $45 million turnover in 2022.

2. Hintsa

In 2022, James Corden started investing in the Finnish wellness startup Hintsa. The startup had previously worked with Formula 1 and Fortune 500 companies. With Corden’s help, the company has raised €5.1 million ($5.5 million in 2023) to help spread their services worldwide with their new mobile app.

3. Moonpay

Cryptocurrency is the hottest investment trend these days, and James Corden capitalized on the hype by investing in the NFT and crypto exchange Moonpay. Moonpay aims to facilitate crypto purchasing through credit cards, like Paypal.

James Corden and other celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Eva Longoria, Ashton Kutcher, Gal Gadot, and more have raised $87 million. The venture paid off—the company completed a $555 million financing round that boosted the company to a $3.4 billion valuation—thrusting James Corden’s net worth.

4. Imprint

Finally, James Corden put his money behind the 2020 startup Imprint, which aimed at enhancing brand-customer relationships in areas like payments, loyalty, and credits. With Corden’s support and that of fellow investors, Imprint successfully raised $38 million in Series A funding.

James Corden enjoys investing in luxury real estate as well. During his time in L.A., he resided in an opulent 20,000 square-foot Brentwood, California mansion featuring seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a home gym, and a movie theater.

In 2023, James Corden left The Late Late Show and decided to move back to his birthplace of England with his wife Julia Carey, selling his Brentwood home for an impressive $17.1 million after listing it for $22 million.

Back in England—the James Corden birth place—the Royal Television Society award nominee owns an £8 million ($10.2 million) mansion from the 1960s in Wokingham, which he plans to demolish and rebuild after moving back home.

Real estate investing can be profitable, with over 19 million rental properties in the U.S. and average monthly rent surpassing $2,000 in June 2022. However, investors face challenges like supply shortages and rising prices in 2022.

Homeownership reached 66% in September 2022, enabling many people to afford homes and seek stability. To mitigate risks, investors can consider REITs or diversified holdings that can weather economic cycles.

James Corden's got a pretty cool car collection, featuring a James Bond-inspired Aston Martin Vanquish that's worth somewhere between $337,000 and $440,000, a Range Rover Sport, a Porsche Cayenne, and a Jaguar XK R. He's really into British cars, and a big fan of Aston Martin. You might catch him cruising around in models like the DB9, DB11, or the Vanquish Volante.

Speaking of the Vanquish Volante, it's a fantastic car with a royal blue paint job, a cream interior, and a mighty twin-turbo V12 engine that cranks out 568bhp while hitting speeds up to 201 mph. Plus, Corden's been dreaming of owning a Jaguar XKE Convertible for a while now.

Investing in classic cars can offer a lucrative way to diversify a portfolio, but it demands careful research and market knowledge. Classic cars can appreciate due to rarity, performance, or special features, with top car types yielding 58% to 95% returns since June 2021, outperforming the S&P 500 and NASDAQ.

However, investing in classic cars can be challenging, as they require maintenance and mechanical skills. The second-hand car market can be difficult to navigate, and vehicles may become costly liabilities. Thus, thorough research is crucial to success.

James Corden’s journey from humble beginnings to a $70 million net worth reminds us that with a mix of talent, work, and strategic investments, one can create an empire in traditional and unconventional sectors. His investments in entertainment, startups, real estate, and cars are cues for investors seeking to expand their portfolios with alternative assets.

Corden's story demonstrates growth and success in alternative assets, proving that the opportunity to prosper is not limited to traditional investments such as stocks and bonds. So, like James Corden diversified his investments and found success, investors can consider alternative investment options to attain financial goals.