Chase Stokes Net Worth

What Is Chase Stokes' Net Worth?

Chase Stokes is an American actor and producer who has a net worth of $5 million.

Chase Stokes is best known for starring as John B. Routledge on the Netflix adventure drama "Outer Banks." After years of struggling to establish himself in Hollywood, including a period when he slept in his car and faced eviction, Stokes landed the role that transformed his career. "Outer Banks" debuted in 2020 and became one of Netflix's most popular young-adult series, ultimately running for five seasons and 50 episodes through 2026.

Outside "Outer Banks," Stokes has expanded into feature films with roles in Netflix's "Uglies," the military thriller "Valiant One," and the romantic drama "Marked Men: Rule + Shaw." He has also begun producing projects and built a significant endorsement business through partnerships with brands including Zenni Optical, HEYDUDE, Armani, Motorola, and others.

Stokes' financial rise has been dramatic. Shortly before booking "Outer Banks," his bank account was overdrawn and he was two months behind on rent. In January 2024, he paid $2.55 million for a home near Charleston, South Carolina, which he sold for $3 million in 2026 after completing the final season of the series.

Early Life

James Alexander Chase Stokes was born on September 16, 1992, in Annapolis, Maryland. His parents divorced when he was young, and he moved with his mother first to Georgia and later to the Orlando, Florida, area.

Stokes attended Timber Creek High School in Orlando, where he played ice hockey and spent weekends surfing near Cocoa Beach. He has said he initially dreamed of pursuing hockey seriously before injuries and changing interests pushed him in another direction.

A high-school teacher encouraged Stokes to try acting, and he began booking commercials while attending college. He eventually completed a bachelor's degree before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time.

Struggling Actor Years

Stokes' path to television success was far from immediate. After reaching out directly to major Hollywood talent agencies, he moved to Los Angeles and initially stayed on couches while trying to find work.

At one point, Stokes spent several months sleeping in his car. He later found an apartment but supported himself through jobs including bartending and restaurant work while continuing to audition.

Stokes landed small television roles beginning in the mid-2010s. His early credits included brief appearances in "Stranger Things," "Daytime Divas," and "Tell Me Your Secrets."

By the time he auditioned for "Outer Banks," Stokes was in serious financial trouble. He has said his bank account was overdrawn, he was two months behind on rent, and he could not afford transportation from the airport after flying to Charleston for his final audition.

Outer Banks

Stokes initially passed on "Outer Banks" because he mistakenly believed the project was a television remake of "The Goonies." After casting director Lisa Mae Fincannon persuaded him to read the script, he changed his mind and eventually auditioned for John B.

Stokes was cast as John B. Routledge, the leader of a group of working-class teenagers known as the Pogues. The series follows the group through increasingly elaborate treasure hunts, family mysteries, romances, and conflicts with wealthier residents known as Kooks.

"Outer Banks" premiered on Netflix in April 2020, just as much of the world entered COVID-19 lockdowns, and quickly became a global hit. Stokes' character and his romance with Sarah Cameron, played by Madelyn Cline, became central to the series.

Stokes and Cline won the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Kiss in 2021.

Netflix ultimately produced five seasons of "Outer Banks." Across its first four seasons, the series accumulated nearly 200 million views and repeatedly appeared in Netflix's global Top 10 rankings. The fifth and final season premiered in August 2026, bringing John B.'s six-year story to an end after 50 episodes.

(Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)

Uglies

Stokes began taking larger film roles while continuing to work on "Outer Banks."

In 2024, he played Peris in Netflix's adaptation of Scott Westerfeld's dystopian novel "Uglies." The film starred Joey King as Tally Youngblood and featured a cast that also included Keith Powers and Laverne Cox.

The project gave Stokes another major Netflix credit outside the franchise that had made him famous.

Marked Men and Valiant One

In 2025, Stokes starred as tattoo artist Rule Archer in "Marked Men: Rule + Shaw," based on Jay Crownover's romance novel. The film was directed by Nick Cassavetes and paired Stokes with Sydney Taylor.

That same year, he starred opposite Lana Condor in the military action thriller "Valiant One." Stokes played Edward Brockman, an American soldier stranded behind enemy lines in North Korea after a helicopter crash.

The two films helped Stokes begin transitioning away from the teen-oriented persona associated with "Outer Banks" and toward adult leading-man roles. He also became involved behind the scenes as a producer on some of his later projects.

Endorsements and Brand Partnerships

Stokes has built a sizable commercial business around his television fame.

He collaborated with Zenni Optical on a Chase Stokes eyewear collection featuring dozens of frame styles and later worked with the company on charitable vision initiatives. He has also served as an ambassador for HEYDUDE footwear and has appeared in campaigns or paid partnerships involving brands including Armani, Motorola, Brooks Running, and Sweet Earth.

Stokes has spoken openly about how dramatic the shift has been from his pre-"Outer Banks" financial struggles to being able to earn money through both acting and endorsement deals.

Real Estate

In January 2024, Stokes paid $2.55 million for a newly built home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, outside Charleston, where "Outer Banks" was filmed.

The roughly 3,425-square-foot house had five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms and included vaulted ceilings, a private sauna, high-end kitchen appliances, and large indoor-outdoor living spaces. Stokes used the property as his base while filming the later seasons of the series.

After production on "Outer Banks" concluded, Stokes listed the home for $3.3 million. He sold it in May 2026 for $3 million.

Personal Life

Stokes dated his "Outer Banks" co-star Madelyn Cline beginning in 2020. Their real-life relationship developed after the first season finished filming and attracted substantial attention because their characters were also romantically involved on the show.

Chase and Madelyn separated in 2021 but continued working together through the remainder of "Outer Banks."

In 2023, Stokes began dating country singer Kelsea Ballerini. The couple eventually lived together in Los Angeles, but their relationship became on-and-off during 2025 and ended in early 2026.

Stokes has also been active in mental-health advocacy. He has worked with Bring Change to Mind and has used his public profile to encourage younger fans to seek help and discuss mental health more openly.

Who's Richer?

Chase
Stokes

Compare!

Gavin
Casalegno