Michael Buffer’s Net Worth (2022 Updated), Biography | Career | Earnings and more
Michael Buffer is a $400 million dollar net worth American boxing announcer and entrepreneur. He is best known for being one of, if not the, greatest boxing and wrestling ring announcers of all time. Buffer rose to fame after creating his signature catchphrase, “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble,” which is used to open all major boxing events. He registered the phrase. Michael has received hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties from his trademark over the years.
Quick Biography
Full Name Michael Buffer Nickname Buffer Birth Date November 2, 1944 Birth Place St. Agnes Hospital, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Residence Southern California, Unites States Religion Not Available Nationality American Ethnicity Mixed Catchphrase “Let’s get ready to rumble.” Hobbies Boxing & Wrestling Food Habit Non-Veg Education Abington High School Zodiac Sign Scorpio Father’s Name Not Available Mother’s Name Not Available Siblings Bruce Buffer Age 77 years old Height 1.83 meters (6 Feet) Reach Not Available Weight 186 lbs. (85 kg) Sexual Orientation Straight Eye Color Brown Hair Color Dark Brown Body Type Athletic Profession Ring Announcer & Actor Marital Status Married Current Wife Christine Buffer Ex-wife Alina Buffer (1999-2003) Children 2 Net Worth $400 million Social Media Twitter, Instagram Last Update 2022
What does Michael Buffer get paid to say “Let’s get ready to rumble”?
Michael Buffer is a boxing and professional wrestling ring announcer from the United States. He is well-known for his memorable catchphrases., “Let’s get ready to rumble!”. Buffer earns between $25,000 and $100,000 per match when he says those five famous words. Buffer has been paid $1 million on a few extremely rare occasions.
Growing Up
Michael Buffer was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on November 2, 1944. He is the son of a US Navy enlisted man and his wife during WWII. Buffer enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 20 during the Vietnam War and served until he was 23. He worked as a car salesman before starting a modeling career at the age of 32 and becoming a ring announcer at the age of 38.
Private Life
Michael was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2008. His celebrity has aided in the reunion of estranged family members from his past. His birth father contacted him in 1989 after seeing Buffer on television. He was later introduced to his half-brothers, one of whom is Bruce Buffer, a UFC announcer. Bruce began as Michael’s agent/manager.
Buffer married when he was 21 years old, but divorced seven years later. Michael and Matthew were born in their marriage. He didn’t remarry until 1999, and he divorced his second wife in 2003. Buffer proposed to his third wife, Christine, while appearing on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show. They’re still together. Michael and Christine Buffer live in Southern California.
Career
Buffer began working as a ring announcer in 1982. By 1983, he was announcing all boxing matches promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank on ESPN, giving him a national identity at a time when ring announcers were only hired locally. By the late 1980s, Buffer had become the sole ring announcer for all bouts in Donald Trump’s casinos. Many boxing legends admired his work. “When you introduce a fighter, it makes him want to fight,” Sugar Ray Leonard once said to Buffer.
He was the sole ring announcer for World Championship Wrestling main events featuring Hulk Hogan or other top WCW talent until the organization folded in 2001. Buffer signed a deal with DAZN in 2018 to serve as ring announcer for all of its boxing broadcasts, including deals with Matchroom and Canelo Alvarez.
Highlights
Here are some of Michael Buffer’s best moments:
- He is best known for his trademarked catchphrase “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble.”
- Rocky V (Movie, 1990)
Other Projects
Buffer has made announcements for the MLB World Series, the Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Finals, the Volunteer 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, and NFL playoff games in addition to wrestling and boxing. On July 19, 2008, Buffer announced the Affliction: Banned mixed martial arts show.
Later that year, at the 2008 World Series of Poker final table, he announced a match between players Peter Eastgate and Ivan Demidov. “Let’s shuffle up and deal,” he said, changing his catchphrase. He was a guest announcer at the 2017 US Grand Prix 2017.
He’s also tweaked his trademark line to fit in with campaigns for Mega Millions (“Let’s get ready to win big!”), Kraft Cheese (“Let’s get ready to crumble!”), and Progressive Insurance (“Let’s get ready to bundle!”).
Buffer has appeared on shows hosted by David Letterman, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel, among others. He’s also been on Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, Mad TV, and the Howard Stern Show.
Buffer has appeared in a number of films and television shows, including Creed (as himself), Grudge Match, America’s Next Top Model, The Bold and the Beautiful, 2012, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Rocky Balboa (as himself), Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Ready to Rumble, The Simpsons, Rocky V, and Rocky IV.
He appeared on an episode of NBC’s Deal or No Deal in 2007. Buffer appears in the 2019 remake of Dumbo, saying “Let’s get ready for Dumbo!”
Earnings from Trademarks and Video Games
Future UFC announcer Bruce Buffer, Michael’s long-lost half-brother, suggested he apply for a trademark. Bruce got the idea after hearing how NBA coach Pat Riley made a fortune by trademarking the term “threepeat.” Because Michael owns the trademark, anyone who wants to use the phrase must pay Michael.
Since 1992, Michael has licensed the phrase for use in songs, video games, movies, television shows, and a wide range of merchandise. The video game “Ready to Rumble” was the subject of one of the most well-known licensing deals. Midway reportedly paid Buffer $100 million to license his phrase in perpetuity after the game’s success. Not bad for a former actor who became a boxing announcer.
Announcer for Boxing
In 1982, he began working as a ring announcer, and by 1983, he was announcing all boxing matches on ESPN. It has brought him fame and fortune, especially since Michael cleverly trademarked his signature catchphrase, “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!” in 1984. He obtained a federal trademark for the phrase in 1992 after a lengthy process.
He started working on it in the mid-1980s. Buffer was the sole ring announcer for boxing matches held at Donald Trump’s casinos in the late 1980s. Many boxing legends, including Sugar Ray Leonard, have praised Buffer’s announcing work. Buffer once told Leonard “Introducing a fighter inspires him to fight.”
During his career, Buffer has earned a total of $400 million from trademark licensing alone. Buffer agreed to be DAZN’s sole ring announcer for all boxing broadcasts. Buffer made a memorable announcement at Madison Square Garden in 2007 during a boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Matt Hardy. He announced a YouTube boxing match between Logan Paul and KSI on August 25, 2018.
Wrestling
Buffer served as the sole ring announcer for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) main events starring Hulk Hogan and other megastars until 2001. Buffer is still the lead announcer for Time Warner’s pay-per-view matches after the WCW folded. Several Top Rank matches are broadcast on HBO. Previously, his exclusive contract prohibited him from announcing for the UFC, but after WCW folded, he was free to announce for other wrestling promotions.
Michael Buffer’s Vacations and Lifestyle
Michael was born into a middle-class family, but his privileges were never enjoyed because his parents divorced. He worked on several jobs until he was 38 years old and then struck gold. He now lives comfortably with his third wife. They reside in an opulent mansion.
Michael adores animals and has several of them in his home. Aside from that, let’s talk about some of the legend’s favorites. He enjoys watching movies on occasion. Dr. Strange Love, Paths of Glory, and, of course, Raging Bull is among his favorite films. Similarly, when it comes to music, he enjoys listening to Luciano Pavarotti. Luciano was the most celebrated and well-liked Italian operatic tenor of all time.
Aside from that, Michael looks forward to holidays such as the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. His favorite meal consists of turkey, mashed potatoes, peas, and cranberry sauce. Furthermore, at the age of 38, he became an avid boxing fan and decided to make a career change.
After noticing that boxing announcers were predictable and dry, he exaggerated his accomplishments on his resume, and guess what? He got a job in 1982. His appeal and charisma made him popular with audiences. Within a year, he was announcing in every boxing match promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank on ESPN, bringing him in front of a national audience.
Movies and TV Shows by Michael Buffer
Michael Buffer has appeared in a few films and television shows throughout his career. According to IMDB, he has approximately 28 acting credits in total.
He is best known for his roles in You Don’t Mess with the Zohan in 2008, Creed in 2015, Virtusoti in 1995, and 2012 in 2009.
Similarly, he has appeared in the television series Weird Science (1996), South Park (1998), Las Vegas (2004), and Entourage (2005).
Similarly, his next project, Rumble, is complete and will be released in 2022. Rumble is a fantasy film that is animated.
Michael Buffer: Houses, Cars, and Watches
Houses
Michael and his wife, Christine, clearly live in a luxurious mansion, as evidenced by their $400 million net worth. He owns a mansion in Los Angeles. We do not have the house’s specifications, but we can give you an idea.
His mansion features a lagoon-style pool and a garage filled with iconic supercars. Similarly, there are a number of chandeliers throughout the home.
Michael adores dogs and has several of them. Some of his dogs are Hedda, Butters, and Gibson. On his social media accounts, he frequently posts pictures of himself having fun with his furry friends.
Cars
Michael’s garage is full of interesting vehicles. Even though he enjoys luxurious chauffeur rides, he also enjoys powerful sports cars.
So let us prepare to rumble.
2019 ZR1 Corvette
The car is extremely stylish and perfectly complements the legend’s personality. It is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that generates 755 brake horsepower to the rear wheels. The car can reach 60 miles per hour in just three seconds. Similarly, the brakes are extremely powerful, and the car grips the road like a race car.
An optional wing with up to 950 pounds of downforce is also available. The vehicle is available with either an automatic or a manual transmission. Similarly, the interior of the supercar has enough room for two adults in seats wrapped in fine leather.
Let’s face it: the ZR1 isn’t the most luxurious vehicle on the market, but it has a straightforward design and plenty of cargo space.
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley automakers produce some of the most luxurious vehicles on the market. GT is an abbreviation for grand touring, which is a perfect blend of performance and luxury. The cabin of the car is luxurious, with some of the finest materials available. Both variants have high-performance engines and a well-balanced chassis with just enough strength for winding roads and a smooth ride.
It has a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine that generates 552 horsepower and 479 pound feet of torque. The car has a top speed of 208 miles per hour and a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. Likewise, the engine is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that delivers quick but smooth gearshifts.
Similarly, all-wheel drive is standard on Continental GTs. Anything bearing the Bentley badge can be expected to have a luxurious cabin. The cockpit’s interior is encased in aromatic leather with only the finest wood finishing. Almost every aspect of the Bentley Continental GT can be customized.
A 12.3-inch infotainment display dominates the center of the dashboard as well. The infotainment system is unusual in that it is three-sided. When not in use, it rotates to give you the impression of continuous fine wood.
The infotainment system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Furthermore, GT offers two optional audio systems: Naim and Bang & Olufsen. All of this comes at a cost. The Continental GT is priced at around $218,900. Michael has it in a gorgeous silver color.
Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac is a full-size SUV that represents elegance. It has such a strong road presence that even supercar owners look up when it passes by. The massive SUV is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine. The engine can generate 420 brake horsepower and 460 pound feet of torque.
It is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Similarly, it is outfitted with only high-quality materials, such as top-of-the-line leather with ventilation and heating features, as well as a cutting-edge infotainment system with features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Cadillac Escalade is around $100,000.
Watches
Michael Buffer has been seen wearing a variety of high-end timepieces on various occasions. He is most often seen wearing a sold gold Rolex Day-Date with a classic President bracelet. This timepiece costs approximately $10,500.