David Choe, a prominent American painter, muralist, graphic novelist, and graffiti artist, has an impressive net worth of $300 million, according to Fashionuer.
He is renowned for his figure paintings and is closely associated with the buck-toothed whale in the graffiti scene.
Choe has contributed to several magazines, including “Hustler,” “Vice,” and “Ray Gun,” and co-hosted the “DVDASA” podcast alongside adult film actress Asa Akira.
Additionally, Choe has authored several books, such as “Slow Jams” (1999), “Bruised Fruit: The Art of David Choe” (2002), “Cursiv” (2003), and “David Choe” (2020), and was featured in the 2008 documentary “Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe.”
He has also made appearances on popular T.V. series such as “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013), “Vice” (2014), “Better Things” (2019), and “The Mandalorian” (2021).
Quick Facts
| Name | David Choe |
| Date Of Birth | Apr 21, 1976 (46 years old) |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles |
| Gender | Male |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Painter |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Net Worth | $300 million |
David Choe Facebook Payday
During the early 2000s, Sean Parker, the President of Facebook, noticed David Choe’s graffiti work and enlisted him to adorn the walls of Facebook’s Silicon Valley headquarters. When negotiations over payment arose, Choe requested $60,000 for his services.
The exact number of Facebook shares Choe received is unclear, and he does not currently possess a significant enough stake in the company to warrant mention in its financial reports.
However, it is believed that Choe’s equity was valued at roughly $200 million during Facebook’s initial public offering (IPO).
Given the meteoric rise in Facebook’s stock value since the IPO, it is plausible that Choe’s holdings at certain points may have been worth between $300 million and $500 million.
David Choe Art Career
David Choe’s graffiti art landed him in jail for a week, and he subsequently moved back in with his parents.
He then began writing and illustrating for several publications, including “Vice,” and also appeared in the web series “Thumbs Up!” (2007-2010) with his friend, Harry Kim.
Choe established a relationship with the pop culture store and magazine “Giant Robot” around the same time he got involved with “Vice.”
After struggling to gain the attention of art galleries, he hung his artwork in an ice cream shop on Melrose Avenue called Double Rainbow, which allowed him to exhibit his art for two years.
In 2006, Choe self-published the graphic novel “Slow Jams,” initially distributing around 200 copies at Comic-Con in 1998.
He was awarded $5,000 by the Xeric Grant to self-publish an expanded edition of 1,000 copies, and the graphic novel was later published in 1999, selling for $4.
Despite its original cover price, the graphic novel has been known to sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay in recent years.
Over a decade, Harry Kim documented thousands of hours of Choe’s life, resulting in the 2008 documentary “Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe.”
In 2005, Choe held his first solo exhibition at the Santa Rosa Museum of Contemporary Art after holding several solo shows in San Francisco and San Jose.
In 2013, Choe exhibited his watercolors at the Museo Universitario del Chopo in Mexico City, and in 2017, he held an invite-only exhibition, “The Choe Show,” in Koreatown.
David Choe Real Estate
David Choe bought a 6,500-square-foot mansion in Los Feliz, LA, for $3.1 million in 2010. However, in September 2022, he put the house on demand for $6.9 million.
David Choe Earnings And Salary
David Choe is thought to have a $300 million net worth. His job as an artist, where he sold his paintings and other creations for thousands of dollars each, contributed significantly to his fortune.
Additionally, he has appeared in several T.V. series and documentaries, which has helped him financially.
Choe reportedly received $60,000 in stock options for his efforts beautifying Facebook’s Silicon Valley headquarters.
When Facebook went public, the stock options had a value of about $200 million. Given the rise in the price of Facebook’s stock since then, it’s possible that his holdings at various points were valued between $300 and $500 million.
David Choe Endorsements
There are no significant endorsement agreements for David Choe. But over the years, he has worked with many different companies.
He created a special edition bottle for Hennessy’s V.S. cognac in 2014. Additionally, he has produced artwork for brands including Nike, Levi’s, and Disney.
David Choe Cars
Over the years, David has acquired several expensive cars, including a Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640, for which he paid about $400,000.
Additionally, he has owned a McLaren 675LT and a Porsche 911 Turbo. David spent $3.5 million on a Bugatti Chiron in 2020.