Harlem-born and raised actress Kara Young, who is in her 30s, has set yet another record.
Key Takeaways
- Actress Kara Young became the first Black actress to win a Tony Award three years in a row.
- Young, speculated to be in her 30s, was born to her parents, father Klay Young Sr., and mother Vanessa Jenkins.
- Her net worth is estimated to be around $1-$5 million as of 2024.
After winning the 2024 Tony Award, she made history as the first Black actress to be nominated and win in three consecutive seasons.
With the historic win, many fans have searched for her date of birth, but no concrete information is available online.
Nonetheless, she celebrates her birthday on November 27 and is speculated to be in her 30s.
Since her elder brother is around 41 years old, her being in her mid-30s is a pretty good guess.
Kara Young was born to mother Vanessa Jenkins and father Klay Young Sr, who wedded on April 12, 1982.
She is the daughter of two Belizean immigrants—her mother is a former beauty queen and health administration worker, and her father is a staffer at Rainbow Room (a legendary landmark New York restaurant).
Vanessa graduated from Columbia University and worked as a Senior Associate Director at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.
There’s beauty in domestic work. My grandmother and my great-grandmother, who is still alive [passed away on December 31, 2023] and is 105, did domestic work, worked with her hands and on her feet. You know my father is a server at the Rainbow Room [a legendary landmark New York restaurant], and my father takes pride in his job. I find that beautiful.
Kara Young
Rising Career & Net Worth
Kara Young’s dream of being an actress started when she was 5.
She followed in her older brother, Klay Young‘s footsteps, and joined miming classes.
In the initial days, she worked at a cigar bar and a restaurant, babysat, and handled some office tasks, sometimes rotating five gigs at a time to make ends meet.
Finally, her career began to gain significant traction in 2017 when she joined the LAByrinth Theater Company.
Since then, she has appeared in numerous off-Broadway productions, garnering critical acclaim for her versatile performances.
Her ability to portray characters much younger than herself has set her apart in the competitive theatre landscape.
The actress’s Broadway debut in Lynn Nottage’s play “Clyde’s” in 2021 marked a pivotal moment in her career.
Her performance as Letitia earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play, elevating her profile in the industry.
The following year, she received another Tony nomination for her role in “Cost of Living.”
Young’s breakthrough came in 2023 when she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her portrayal of Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins in the revival of “Purlie Victorious.”
This prestigious accolade solidified her reputation as a formidable talent and likely boosted her earning potential.
Broadway actors’ salaries can vary widely, but top performers can earn several thousand dollars per week.
With Young’s recent Tony win and multiple nominations, it’s reasonable to assume she commands a competitive salary for her stage work.
Based on her level of prominence in the theatre world, Kara Young’s net worth can be estimated between $1 to $5 million.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 2008, Kara Young studied traditional theater in Thailand for a month.
- She reflects that her achievement honors the legacy of Black theater artists.
- Young has 5′ 2″ (1.57 m) height.
