Christopher Joseph Isaak was born on the 26th June 1956, in Stockton, California USA, and is a musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, but probably best known for his hits songs such as “Wicked Game”, “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing”, “Somebody’s Crying”, and “Blue Hotel”. Isaak’s career started in 1984.
Have you ever wondered how rich Chris Isaak is, as of late 2016? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Isaak’s net worth is as high as $21 million, an amount earned through his successful career in music. However, Isaak also works as an actor, which has contributed to his wealth.
Chris Isaak was born to Joe Isaak, a forklift driver, and Dorothy, a potato chip factory worker. He went to the Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, where was a class president before matriculating in 1974. Later, Isaak studied at the San Joaquin Delta Community College and the University of the Pacific, graduating with a Bachelor of English and Communications Arts in 1981.
Isaak then formed the rock band called Silvertone, while in 1985 he released his debut studio album “Silvertone”, under Warner Bros. Records. The album wasn’t a commercial hit, but songs “Gone Ridin” and “Livin’ for Your Lover” featured in David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet” (1986) starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, and Laura Dern. Isaak’s self-titled album came out in 1986, before his breakthrough album “Heart Shaped World” came out in 1989 and peaked at No. 7 on Billboard 200. The release sold over 2.5 million copies in the US and achieved the triple-platinum status, while the single “Wicked Game” reached the Top 10.
In 1995, Chris released his fifth studio album “Forever Blue”, and it peaked at the No. 31 on the Billboard 200 and No. 27 on the UK Albums chart. It also achieved platinum status in the US, and was nominated for Best Rock Album. The single “Somebody’s Crying” received a Grammy nomination, while “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” featured in Stanley Kubrick’s final movie “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999) starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. By the end of the ‘90s, Isaak had recorded two more albums: “Baja Sessions” (1996) and “Speak of the Devil” (1998). His tenth studio album “Mr. Lucky” (2009), reached No.29 on Billboard 200 and No. 10 on Billboard Rock Albums chart. Also in 2009, Chris recorded “Beyond the Sun”, and it peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the UK Albums chart, while his latest album “First Comes the Night” (2015) reached 66th place on the Billboard 200. His net worth has risen steadily.
Isaak debuted on film in Jonathan Demme’s Oscar-nominated “Jonathan Demme” (1988) starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Alec Baldwin, and Paul Lazar, and then had a minor role in Demme’s Oscar-winning thriller “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) alongside Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, while in 1992, Isaak appeared in David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me”, all of which added a substantial amount to his net worth. Through the ‘90s Isaak also played in such movies as Bernardo Bertolucci’s “Little Buddha” (1993) with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda, “Grace of My Heart” (1996), and in Tom Hanks’ Oscar-nominated comedy “That Thing You Do!” (1996). From 2001 to 2004, Chris hosted 47 episodes of “The Chris Isaak Show”, and then had parts in John Waters’ “A Dirty Shame” (2004), and in “The Informers” (2008) with Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, and Mickey Rourke, increasing further his net worth. Most recently, Isaak appeared in an episodes of “Hot in Cleveland” (2014) and David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces” (2014).
Regarding his personal life, Chris Isaak’s is still single, but most intimate details are generally unknown, as he successfully manages to keep them out of the public eye. It is known that he resides by the beach in the San Francisco Bay area.
Fact |
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1 | Bruce Weber shot the photo art for his self titled second album, “Chris Isaak” in 1986. |
2 | Was an amateur boxer while in college. |
3 | Collects small red sculptural pieces which light up electronically. |
4 | When he visits his mother, who is still living in his childhood home in Stockton, California, he still cleans the yard for her. |
5 | His father was a forklift driver/operator and his mother, of Peruvian decent, was a factory worker. |
6 | The 1999 music video for “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing” was directed by Herb Ritts, and featured Isaak and French supermodel Laetitia Casta. |
7 | The 1991 black and white music video for “Wicked Game” was directed by Herb Ritts, and featured Isaak and supermodel Helena Christensen. |
8 | Is a fourth generation Stocktonian (Stockton, California, USA). His great grandparents, his grandparents, and his father were all born in Stockton before Chris and his brothers Nick and Jeff. |
9 | His father’s family were ethnic Germans from Bessarabia, Russia. His mother’s family is from Trefontane, Monteggio, in Genoa, Italy. |
10 | Is a surfer and has surfed with famous big wave surfers off San Francisco, where he is still living as of 2016. |
11 | Music video “Wicked Game” was ranked #13 on VH1’s (2001) 100 Greatest Videos list. |
12 | Two music videos that made it on VH1’s 50 Sexiest Video Moments: “Wicked Game” was #4 and “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing” was #28. |
13 | Good friends and collaborator with Stevie Nicks. |
14 | Turned down the role of Ray Sinclair in Something Wild (1986). |
15 | Turned down the role of Jeffrey Beaumont in Blue Velvet (1986). |
16 | Good friends with Lara Flynn Boyle, the late Herb Ritts (1952-2002), and Bruce Weber. |
17 | Ranked #68 on VH1’s 100 Sexiest Artists. |
18 | He was actually going to be dropped by his record label until David Lynch used “Wicked Game” on the soundtrack of Wild at Heart (1990), making the song a big hit and saving his record deal. He later acted for Lynch in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992). |
19 | Has “I (Heart) Carole L” written on one of his guitars in memory of Carole Low, his former Stagg High School sweetheart, who passed away from cancer. |
20 | He lives by the beach in the San Francisco Bay area. |
21 | Returned to San Francisco and performed as a solo act then backed by Silvertone band. Signed with Reprise Records. |
22 | From a working-class background, earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature, then studied in Japan for a year. He worked in film studio there and also boxed as a light heavyweight amateur. Sang at parties and played rockabilly and Elvis Presley tunes on his guitar. |
23 | 1980 graduate of University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, USA. |
24 | He was one of the valedictorians of his graduating class at Stagg High School, Stockton, California, in 1974. |
25 | Has two older brothers, Nick and Jeff. It was Nick who taught him how to play the guitar. |
26 | Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1990] |
Title | Year | Status | Character |
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Moone Boy | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2014 writer – 1 episode, 2014 |
Frauenherzen | 2014 | TV Movie performer: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” – uncredited / writer: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” – uncredited |
Pink: The Truth About Love Tour – Live from Melbourne | 2013 | Documentary writer: “Wicked Game” – uncredited |
Grazing the Sky | 2013 | Documentary writer: “Wicked Game” |
So You Think You Can Dance | 2013 | TV Series writer – 2 episodes |
The Big Dirty List Show: 50 Years of Sex and Music | 2013 | TV Movie documentary performer: “Wicked Game” / writer: “Wicked Game” |
Divorce | 2013 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
The Mentalist | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2012 writer – 1 episode, 2012 |
Dancing with the Stars | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2012 writer – 1 episode, 2012 |
American Idol | 2012 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Beatrix, Oranje onder Vuur | TV Mini-Series performer – 1 episode, 2012 writer – 1 episode, 2012 |
Feliz 2012 | 2011 | TV Movie writer: “Wicked Game” |
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | TV Series performer – 3 episodes, 2010 – 2011 writer – 2 episodes, 2010 – 2011 |
The Good Wife | TV Series performer – 2 episodes, 2011 writer – 2 episodes, 2011 |
Idool 2011 | 2011 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
20 to 1 | TV Series documentary performer – 3 episodes, 2009 – 2011 writer – 3 episodes, 2009 – 2011 |
Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years | 2011 | TV Movie performer: “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town” |
Psych | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2010 writer – 1 episode, 2010 |
90210 | 2010 | TV Series 1 episode |
Old Dogs | 2009/I | performer: “This Love Will Last” / writer: “This Love Will Last” |
Karaoke Revolution | 2009 | Video Game performer: “Wicked Game” / writer: “Wicked Game” |
Planet 51 | 2009 | performer: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” – uncredited / writer: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” – uncredited |
Eastwick | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2009 writer – 1 episode, 2009 |
2009 MTV Movie Awards | 2009 | TV Special performer: “I’m On a Boat”, “Lazy Sunday” |
Schlaflos in Oldenburg | 2008 | TV Movie performer: “Cool love” / writer: “Cool love” |
The Love Guru | 2008 | performer: “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing” / writer: “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing” |
Idols | 2007 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Elvis: Viva Las Vegas | 2007 | TV Movie documentary performer: “Suspicious Minds” |
Memòries de la tele | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2007 writer – 1 episode, 2007 |
Herr Schmidt wird 50, will aber nicht feiern | 2007 | TV Movie documentary performer: “Bad bad thing” |
Dr. Psycho – Die Bösen, die Bullen, meine Frau und ich | 2007 | TV Series performer – 1 episode |
Australian Idol | 2006 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Best of Chris Isaak | 2006 | Video performer: “Wicked Game”, “Dancin'”, “Somebody’s Crying”, “San Francisco Days”, “Blue Spanish Sky”, “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing”, “Can’t Do A Thing To Stop Me”, “Let Me Down Easy”, “Blue Hotel”, “Dark Moon”, “Don’t Make Me Dream About You”, “Think Of Tomorrow”, “Go Walking Down There”, “You Owe Me Some Kind Of Love”, “Gone Ridin'”, “Please”, “Washington Square”, “Wicked Game European Version” / writer: “Wicked Game”, “Dancin'”, “Somebody’s Crying”, “San Francisco Days”, “Blue Spanish Sky”, “ |
Cold Case | 2004-2006 | TV Series performer – 2 episodes |
Smallville | 2005 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Soundstage | TV Series documentary performer – 2 episodes, 2004 – 2005 writer – 1 episode, 2004 |
I Love the ’90s: Part Deux | 2005 | TV Series documentary performer – 1 episode |
Undercover | 2005 | TV Series performer – 1 episode |
Hinter Gittern – Der Frauenknast | TV Series performer – 2 episodes, 2002 – 2004 writer – 1 episode, 2002 |
Idool 2004 | 2004 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Chasing Liberty | 2004 | performer: “Life Will Go On” / writer: “Life Will Go On” |
Idols | 2003 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Mona Lisa Smile | 2003 | performer: “Besame Mucho” |
Elvis Lives | 2003 | TV Special performer: “Devil in Disguise” |
Hooked | 2003 | Documentary writer: “Wicked Game Berlin remix” |
The Family Man | 2000 | performer: “Wicked Game” / writer: “Wicked Game” |
MTV Unplugged: Ballads | 2000 | Video short performer: “Somebody’s Crying” / writer: “Somebody’s Crying” |
Dawson’s Creek | TV Series performer – 3 episodes, 1999 writer – 1 episode, 1999 |
Eyes Wide Shut | 1999 | lyrics: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” 1995 / music: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” 1995 / performer: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” 1995 |
Party of Five | TV Series performer – 5 episodes, 1995 – 1999 writer – 2 episodes, 1996 |
The Roseanne Show | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 1998 writer – 1 episode, 1998 |
Home Fries | 1998 | performer: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” / writer: “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” |
Nash Bridges | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 1997 writer – 1 episode, 1997 |
Lista Top 40 | TV Series lyrics – 1 episode, 1997 writer – 1 episode, 1997 |
Beverly Hills, 90210 | TV Series performer – 7 episodes, 1990 – 1997 writer – 5 episodes, 1990 – 1993 |
Private Parts | 1997 | performer: “Back On Your Side” / writer: “Back On Your Side” |
Fools Rush In | 1997 | performer: “I Wonder” / writer: “I Wonder” |
Tin Cup | 1996 | performer: “I Wonder” / writer: “I Wonder” |
Mr. Wrong | 1996 | performer: “I’M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY” |
Beautiful Girls | 1996 | performer: “Graduation Day” / writer: “Graduation Day” |
Friends | 1996 | TV Series performer – 3 episodes |
Beavis and Butt-Head | 1993-1995 | TV Series performer – 2 episodes |
The Larry Sanders Show | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 1995 writer – 1 episode, 1995 |
A Perfect World | 1993 | performer: “Dark Moon”, “The Little White Cloud that Cried” |
True Romance | 1993 | performer: “Two Hearts” / writer: “Two Hearts” |
Saturday Zoo | 1993 | TV Series performer – 1 episode |
Melrose Place | 1992 | TV Series performer – 1 episode |
Leaving Normal | 1992 | performer: “Wicked Game” / writer: “Wicked Game” |
The Cutting Edge | 1992 | performer: “Diddley Daddy” |
Vamp | 1991 | TV Series performer: “Wicked Game” / writer: “Wicked Game” |
Wild at Heart | 1990 | performer: “Wicked Game”, “Blue Spanish Sky”, “In The Heat Of The Jungle” / writer: “Wicked Game”, “Blue Spanish Sky”, “In The Heat Of The Jungle” |
The Preppie Murder | 1989 | TV Movie performer: “Wicked Game” as Wicked Games, “You Owe Me Some Kind of Love” / writer: “Wicked Game” as Wicked Games, “You Owe Me Some Kind of Love” |
Shag | 1989/I | performer: “Diddly Daddy” |
Married to the Mob | 1988 | performer: “Suspicion of Love” / writer: “Suspicion of Love” |
North Shore | 1987 | performer: “Blue Hotel” / writer: “Blue Hotel” |
Morgan Stewart’s Coming Home | 1987 | performer: “Gone Ridin” / writer: “Gone Ridin” |
Modern Girls | 1986 | performer: “Dancin'” / writer: “Dancin'” |
Blue Velvet | 1986 | music: “Livin’ For Your Lover”, “Gone Ridin'” / performer: “Livin’ For Your Lover”, “Gone Ridin'” |
Miami Vice | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 1986 writer – 1 episode, 1986 |
American Flyers | 1985 | performer: “Gone Ridin'” / writer: “Gone Ridin'” |
Roadies | 2016 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
The Voice | 2015-2016 | TV Series writer – 2 episodes |
Més 324 | 2016 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
The Affair | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2015 writer – 1 episode, 2015 |
Doctor Who | 2015 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Friday Night Football | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2015 writer – 1 episode, 2015 |
The Blacklist | 2014 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Guapas | 2014 | TV Series writer – 2 episodes |
The Marty Stuart Show | 2014 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Title | Year | Status | Character |
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Tavis Smiley | 2011-2016 | TV Series | Himself / Himself – Guest |
CBS News Sunday Morning | 2016 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Live with Kelly and Michael | 2006-2015 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest / Himself – Guest |
The X Factor | 2011-2015 | TV Series | Himself – Judge / Himself – Special Guest |
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | 1993-2014 | TV Series | Himself / Himself – Musical Guest / Himself – Interviewed by Majorette / … |
The Project | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
Can of Worms | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
Celebrity Bucket List | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
Good Morning America | 2012 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
The 86th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | 2012 | TV Movie | Himself – Float Performer |
Loose Women | 2012 | TV Series | Himself – Guest / Himself – Musical Guest |
Herb Ritts ‘LA Style’ | 2012 | Documentary short | Himself |
Overheard | 2012 | TV Series | Himself – interviewee |
The Wright Stuff Extra | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
Let’s Dance for Comic Relief | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
Die Harald Schmidt Show | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
Conan | 2012 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest |
Buddy Holly: Listen to Me – The Ultimate Buddy Party | 2011 | TV Movie | Himself – Host |
The Hour | 2011 | TV Series | Himself |
Big Morning Buzz Live | 2011 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest |
The 7PM Project | 2009-2011 | TV Series | Himself |
Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years | 2011 | TV Movie | Himself |
The Wendy Williams Show | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
The 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | 2010 | TV Movie | Himself |
The Footy Show | 2009 | TV Series | Himself |
Rove Live | 2004-2009 | TV Series | Himself |
El hormiguero | 2009 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
2009 MTV Movie Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Himself |
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | 2005-2009 | TV Series | Himself / Himself – Interviewee / Musical Guest |
The Chris Isaak Hour | 2009 | TV Series | Himself – Host |
Australian Idol | 2008 | TV Series | Himself – Guest Judge |
Sun Records and the Johnny Cash Sound | 2008 | Video short | Himself |
An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Smokey Robinson | 2008 | TV Movie | Himself |
Elvis: Viva Las Vegas | 2007 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
The Bill Engvall Show | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
2007 MLB All-Star Game | 2007 | TV Special | Himself – National Anthem Performer |
Late Night with Conan O’Brien | 1996-2007 | TV Series | Himself – Guest / Himself – Musical Guest |
Great Performances | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
Le grand journal de Canal+ | 2006 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
93 Faubourg Saint-Honoré | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
Emirates Melbourne Cup Day | 2006 | TV Movie | Himself |
Postcards | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton | 2006 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show | 2006 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
Best of Chris Isaak | 2006 | Video | Himself |
Soundstage | 2003-2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself / Himself – Performer |
Chris Isaak’s Guide to Jazz Fest | 2005 | TV Movie | Himself |
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | 2004 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
Non-Denominational All-Star Celebrity Holiday Special | 2004 | TV Movie | Himself |
Christmas in Rockefeller Center | 2004 | TV Movie | Himself – Performer |
The 18th Annual ARIA Awards | 2004 | TV Special | Himself |
Mondo Thingo | 2004 | TV Series | Himself |
The Panel | 1999-2004 | TV Series | Himself |
Today | 2004 | TV Series | Himself |
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn | 1999-2004 | TV Series | Himself |
100 Greatest Videos | 2003 | TV Movie documentary | Himself – Host |
50 Sexiest Video Moments | 2003 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Elvis Lives | 2003 | TV Special | Himself |
Austin City Limits | 2002 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Música sí | 1998-2002 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest |
Leute heute | 2002 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
BingoLotto | 2002 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest |
The Rosie O’Donnell Show | 1996-2002 | TV Series | Himself |
MADtv | 2001 | TV Series | Himself |
My VH1 Music Awards | 2001 | TV Special | Himself – Presenter |
2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | 2001 | TV Special | Himself |
MTV Unplugged: Ballads | 2000 | Video short | Himself |
An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Cash | 1999 | TV Special documentary | Himself – Performer |
Melrose Place | 1999 | TV Series | Himself |
The Daily Show | 1999 | TV Series | Himself |
Late Show with David Letterman | 1993-1999 | TV Series | Himself / Himself – Guest / Himself – Musical Guest |
In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story | 1999 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
The Roseanne Show | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
1998 VH1 Fashion Awards | 1998 | TV Special | Himself |
HBO First Look | 1998 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Hard Rock Live | 1997 | TV Series | Performer |
Charlie Rose | 1996 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
The 38th Annual Grammy Awards | 1996 | TV Special | Himself |
1995 MTV Movie Awards | 1995 | TV Special | Himself |
Unplugged | 1995 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Rage | 1995 | TV Series | Himself |
The Jon Stewart Show | 1995 | TV Series | Himself |
1995 VH1 Honors | 1995 | TV Movie | Himself |
Elvis: The Tribute | 1994 | TV Movie documentary | Himself – Performer |
The Chevy Chase Show | 1993 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
Michael Ball | 1993 | TV Series | Himself |
Taratata | 1993 | TV Series | Himself |
Saturday Zoo | 1993 | TV Series | Himself – Performer |
MTV Video Music Awards 1991 | 1991 | TV Special | Himself |
Coca Cola Pop Music Backstage Pass to Summer | 1991 | TV Special | Himself – Performer |
Saturday Night Live | 1991 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest / Dave |
Top of the Pops | 1990-1991 | TV Series | Himself |
The Word | 1991 | TV Series | Himself |
Wicked Game | 1991 | Short | Himself |
It’s Garry Shandling’s Show. | 1990 | TV Series | Himself |
Lifestyles of the Ramones | 1990 | Video | Himself |
House of Style | 1989 | TV Series | Himself |
Let’s Get Lost | 1988 | Documentary | Himself |
The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross | 1987 | TV Series | Himself |
Late Night with David Letterman | 1987 | TV Series | Himself |
A tope | 1987 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest |
Arsenal | 1986 | TV Series | Himself |
Àngel Casas Show | 1985 | TV Series | Himself |
Nöjesmassakern | 1985 | TV Series | Himself |
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