Omari Hardwick Net Worth

What is Omari Hardwick's Net Worth and Salary?

Omari Hardwick is an American actor, rapper, and podcaster who has a net worth of $5 million. After studying theater at the University of Georgia, Omari Hardwick moved to Los Angeles with ambitions of acting while supporting himself through various jobs. Early in his career, he appeared in small film roles and guest spots on television, often playing intense or morally complex characters that hinted at his range but did not yet bring widespread recognition.

Hardwick gained early momentum through supporting roles in films such as "The Guardian," "Miracle at St. Anna," and "Kick-Ass," as well as recurring television appearances on series like "Saved," "Dark Blue," and "Being Mary Jane." During this period, he became known within the industry as a reliable dramatic performer, though mainstream stardom remained elusive. He also developed a parallel identity as a poet and spoken-word artist, regularly performing original work that explored masculinity, race, and personal struggle.

His career reached a turning point in 2014 when he was cast as James "Ghost" St. Patrick in the Starz series "Power." The role transformed Hardwick into a household name, with his portrayal of a charismatic but deeply conflicted nightclub owner and drug kingpin anchoring one of cable television's most successful dramas. "Power" ran for six seasons and spawned multiple spin-offs, cementing Hardwick's status as a leading man and cultural figure.

Following "Power," Hardwick expanded into high-profile film and streaming projects, including "Army of the Dead" and Netflix's "Pieces of Her." His post-"Power" career has focused on balancing prestige roles, commercial projects, and producing opportunities, positioning him as a durable presence in contemporary television and film rather than a single-show star.

Early Life

Hardwick was born on January 9, 1974, in Savannah, Georgia. He is the son of Joyce and Clifford Hardwick III. His father worked as an attorney. Hardwick primarily grew up in Decatur, Georgia, and attended Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia. While there, he played basketball, baseball, and football but was also very interested in the arts. He wrote poetry on a regular basis. After graduating from Marist School, he enrolled at the University of Georgia on a football scholarship. While his main pursuit at the time was football, Hardwick also continued writing poetry and got involved in theater, which was his minor.

Early Career Aspirations and Setbacks

Before pursuing acting, Omari Hardwick originally envisioned a career in professional football. After graduating from college, he declared for the NFL Draft with hopes of being selected by the San Diego Chargers. When he went undrafted, Hardwick faced a pivotal crossroads and ultimately chose to redirect his ambitions toward acting, a field he had long been drawn to but had not fully committed to.

The transition was far from smooth. Hardwick supported himself through a series of odd jobs while paying for acting classes, often struggling to secure auditions or meaningful roles. At one low point early in his career, he lived out of his car while continuing to pursue opportunities in Los Angeles. During this period, he also remained deeply committed to poetry and music, viewing creative expression as both an emotional outlet and a parallel artistic path.

Early Acting Work and Breakthrough Opportunities

Hardwick's earliest on-screen appearances were modest. In 2002, he booked work as an extra in a music video by Floetry, while continuing to audition and perform spoken-word poetry. He competed in the National Poetry Slam in both 2003 and 2004, gaining recognition in artistic circles even as his acting career lagged behind.

His breakthrough arrived in 2004 with a role in the television movie "Sucker Free City," directed by Spike Lee. The performance marked a turning point and led to a string of supporting roles in films including "Beauty Shop," "Speechless," and "Gridiron Gang." In 2006, Hardwick landed a more substantial role in "The Guardian," followed by a series regular role on the medical drama "Saved."

To prepare for "Saved," Hardwick underwent extensive training, spending nearly two years studying as a firefighter and paramedic to authentically portray his character. He appeared in 13 episodes of the series, gaining valuable visibility and industry credibility.

Growing Recognition in Film and Television

In 2008, Hardwick expanded his résumé with roles in "Miracle at St. Anna" and "Linewatch," while also making guest appearances on television series such as "CSI: Miami." His next major television opportunity came with the TNT crime drama "Dark Blue," where he played undercover detective Ty Curtis. The series ran from 2009 to 2010 and earned Hardwick a NAMIC Vision Award nomination for Best Drama Performance.

Throughout 2010, he appeared in a diverse slate of films including "Kick-Ass," "The A-Team," "Everyday Black Man," and Ava DuVernay's "I Will Follow," the latter drawing strong critical praise for his emotionally grounded performance. That same year, he appeared in "For Colored Girls," earning a Black Reel Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance.

Creative Expansion and Independent Projects

Alongside his acting work, Hardwick remained committed to building creative platforms outside mainstream Hollywood. In 2010, he became a founding member of Plan B Inc. Theater Group and co-founded the Actor's Lounge at the Los Angeles Greenway Theater. He also launched his own production company, Bravelife Films, signaling a long-term interest in producing and creative control.

Hardwick continued developing his music and poetry during this period, collaborating with artists such as Eshe in 2012 and Nasty C in 2016. His spoken-word work increasingly became a defining aspect of his artistic identity.

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Breakthrough with "Being Mary Jane" and "Power"

In 2013, Hardwick earned widespread acclaim for his role as Andre Daniels in the television miniseries "Being Mary Jane." His performance received a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries and multiple Image Award nominations.

His career reached a defining peak in 2014 when he was cast as James "Ghost" St. Patrick in the Starz crime drama "Power." The series became one of the network's most successful shows, running for six seasons through 2020. Hardwick's portrayal of the charismatic yet conflicted antihero earned numerous honors, including wins and nominations from the NAACP Image Awards and NAMIC Vision Awards, and cemented his status as a leading television actor.

Post-"Power" Career and Ongoing Work

While starring on "Power," Hardwick continued expanding into film and streaming projects. He appeared in "Sorry to Bother You" and was cast in Zack Snyder's zombie epic "Army of the Dead," released in 2021. He also starred in the Netflix series "Pieces of Her," based on Karin Slaughter's novel.

In 2019, Hardwick launched the podcast "Poetics," featuring long-form conversations with artists and cultural figures such as 50 Cent, Method Man, and Draymond Green. He has continued writing poetry, including the widely shared piece "Little Black Boy Wonder," reinforcing his identity as a multidisciplinary artist whose career extends beyond acting alone.

Personal Life

In the 2000s, Hardwick began dating Jennifer "Jae" Pfautch. The relationship was traumatic for Pfautch, who is of Native American and German descent, as her family disowned her for dating outside of her race. However, the couple remained together and have both made various public statements about their support for interracial marriage. In 2008, Pfautch was pregnant, but the child was stillborn. Several years later, in 2012, the couple got married and has had two children since.

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