Devale Ellis net worth is often discussed because his career has moved through several very different stages. He went from professional football to acting, podcasting, writing and digital media. In 2026, Ellis is best known for playing Zac Taylor in Sistas and Zatima. His exact finances remain private, but online estimates commonly place his wealth between $2 million and $5 million.
Profile Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Devale Ellis |
| Date of Birth | April 2, 1984 |
| Age | 42 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | Around 174 lb (79 kg) during NFL career |
| Profession | Actor, former NFL player, podcaster, author, producer |
| Estimated Net Worth | $2 million–$5 million |
| Wife | Khadeen Ellis |
| Children | Four sons — Jackson, Kairo, Kaz and Dakota |
| Known For | Sistas, Zatima, Meet Me Next Christmas |
| Social Media | Instagram: @iamdevale |
Devale Ellis Net Worth 2026
Devale Ellis has never publicly confirmed an exact net worth. The frequently reported $2 million to $5 million estimate should therefore be treated as an approximate range rather than verified financial information. His wealth appears to come from television and film work, podcasting, social media, books, producing and other entertainment projects.
His financial position is particularly interesting because his current success was not built solely from football earnings. After leaving the NFL, Ellis experienced financial difficulties and effectively had to rebuild his career. His later television success and growing media business provided several new income streams.
Early Life
Devale Ellis was born on April 2, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York. He is 42 years old in 2026. He grew up in a working family and developed an interest in sports early in life. His parents are reportedly Troy Ellis and Karen Ellis.
Ellis attended James Madison High School, where he competed in football and basketball. He later enrolled at Hofstra University, becoming a productive college wide receiver. His performance at Hofstra helped him earn an opportunity to pursue professional football despite going undrafted.
NFL Career
Devale Ellis entered professional football in 2006 after signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. His NFL career was relatively short, but reaching the league itself was a significant achievement.
Official professional statistics record Ellis with four receptions for 41 receiving yards. He later spent time with the Cleveland Browns before his football career ended. Injuries and the competitive nature of professional football contributed to his eventual transition away from the sport.
Leaving football forced Ellis to reconsider his future. Rather than remaining in sports, he turned toward entertainment, an interest that would eventually become a much longer and more successful professional chapter.
Acting Career
Ellis began building his acting career through smaller roles and appearances. Over time, he appeared in productions including Power, Gotham, The Blacklist, NCIS and The Equalizer.
His major breakthrough came in 2019, when he joined Tyler Perry’s Sistas as Zac Taylor. The character became one of his signature roles, and his on-screen relationship with Fatima Wilson helped lead to the spin-off series Zatima.
Ellis has also expanded into movies. He appeared as Teddy in Netflix’s romantic comedy Meet Me Next Christmas. These projects have strengthened his position as an actor and likely represent one of the largest contributors to his current earnings.
Earnings
Devale Ellis earns money from several professional activities rather than depending on one salary. Acting remains his most visible income source, particularly through television and film roles.
He and his wife also generate opportunities through podcasting, digital content, publishing and brand partnerships. Their large online audience gives them additional commercial value for sponsorships and collaborations.
Ellis has also moved into producing. Devale and Khadeen were listed as co-producers of the Broadway production of Othello in 2025. His growing involvement behind the scenes shows that his entertainment career is expanding beyond acting alone.
Devale Ellis Salary
There is no verified public information showing exactly how much Devale Ellis earns per episode of Sistas or Zatima. Claims online that provide precise salaries should be considered speculative unless supported by contractual records or statements from Ellis or the production companies.
One notable figure from his earlier career is his reported NFL income. Ellis has discussed earning roughly $500,000 annually during part of his football career before his playing days ended.
Today, television contracts, movies and media projects likely provide considerably more financial stability than he had during the uncertain period following football.
Wife Khadeen Ellis
Devale Ellis is married to Khadeen Ellis, an actress, author, podcast host and media personality. The couple met while studying at Hofstra University and married in 2010.
Their relationship has become an important part of their professional brand. They have created online videos, hosted the Dead Ass podcast and written about marriage and relationships together.
The couple co-authored We Over Me: The Counterintuitive Approach to Getting Everything You Want from Your Relationship. Their ability to combine personal experiences with entertainment projects has helped them build an audience outside Devale’s television career.
Children
Devale and Khadeen Ellis have four sons: Jackson, Kairo, Kaz and Dakota. Fatherhood is a major theme in Devale’s public personality and digital content.
The couple regularly discusses parenting, marriage and the challenges of balancing careers with family responsibilities. Although their children sometimes appear in family-related content, Devale and Khadeen have also spoken about maintaining boundaries between their private and public lives.
Family therefore plays a larger role in Ellis’ brand than the luxury-focused image often associated with celebrity lifestyle coverage.
Parents and Siblings
Devale’s parents are Troy and Karen Ellis. Publicly available biographical information also identifies his siblings as a brother named Brian Ellis and a sister named Tori Ellis.
His Brooklyn upbringing influenced his attitude toward work and ambition. Ellis has spoken about the effort his parents put into supporting their family, and those experiences appear to have shaped his emphasis on discipline, financial responsibility and providing opportunities for his own children.
Age and Height
Devale Ellis is 42 years old in 2026. His NFL profile officially listed him at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and 174 pounds (79 kg) during his playing career.
Ellis continues to have an athletic physical appearance. His lean and muscular build reflects years of football training and an ongoing interest in fitness. He commonly keeps his hair short and is often seen with neatly maintained facial hair.
Lifestyle
Devale Ellis appears to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, but his public identity is centered more on family, fitness, travel, work and personal development than displays of extreme luxury.
His earlier financial difficulties also provide context for how he talks about success today. After football ended, Ellis reportedly lost much of his savings during a difficult economic period and had to rebuild.
This experience may help explain why he has developed several professional income streams rather than depending entirely on acting.
Social Media
Social media has played an important role in Devale Ellis’ career. His Instagram account, @iamdevale, has attracted an audience of millions and features career updates, family content, fitness and personal observations.
Devale and Khadeen also built a substantial following through family-focused video content. Their online audience helped turn them into recognizable media personalities independently of traditional television.
This following can support sponsorships, book promotion, podcast growth and future entertainment projects.
Media Business
One of Devale and Khadeen’s best-known projects is the Dead Ass podcast. The show focuses on relationships, marriage, parenting, careers and personal experiences.
They have also expanded into publishing through We Over Me, which became a New York Times bestseller. Their work demonstrates how they have transformed an online following into a broader media business.
These projects are important when evaluating Devale Ellis net worth because they show that his financial success extends far beyond television acting.
Net Worth Growth
There is no reliable year-by-year record of Devale Ellis’ net worth. However, his career development shows clear professional growth.
He moved from a short NFL career and financial uncertainty into acting, eventually securing a prominent role in Sistas. Zatima, Netflix films, podcasting, books and producing followed.
Rather than publishing unsupported annual net-worth figures, it is more accurate to say that his earning potential has increased as his number of professional ventures has expanded.
Interesting Facts
Devale Ellis reached the NFL despite not being selected in the NFL Draft. He later reinvented himself as an actor instead of pursuing a permanent career in sports.
He married his college sweetheart Khadeen Ellis, and the couple now has four sons.
Ellis is also a New York Times bestselling co-author, podcast host and Broadway co-producer. He has publicly discussed ambitions to continue growing his film career and eventually compete for major acting awards.
Final Thoughts
Devale Ellis’ net worth in 2026 is commonly estimated at around $2 million to $5 million, although no official figure has been disclosed. What is clearer than the exact number is how he built his success.
Ellis moved from professional football into acting and gradually expanded into movies, podcasting, social media, publishing and producing. His journey shows how developing several income sources can create stability after an unpredictable athletic career.
At 42 years old, Devale Ellis remains active across entertainment while maintaining a strong family-centered public image. His continuing television, film and media work could further strengthen his career and financial position in the years ahead.
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FAQs
What is Devale Ellis’ net worth in 2026?
Devale Ellis’ net worth is commonly estimated between $2 million and $5 million. However, he has not publicly confirmed an exact figure, so published numbers should be treated as estimates.
How old is Devale Ellis in 2026?
Devale Ellis is 42 years old in 2026. He was born on April 2, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York.
How tall is Devale Ellis?
Devale Ellis is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. During his NFL career, he was listed at around 174 pounds (79 kg).
Who is Devale Ellis married to?
Devale Ellis is married to Khadeen Ellis, an actress, author, podcast host and media personality. They met while attending Hofstra University and married in 2010.
How many children does Devale Ellis have?
Devale and Khadeen Ellis have four sons: Jackson, Kairo, Kaz and Dakota. Family life is an important part of their public and digital-media presence.
