Jordan Peele has made history. He has become a first ever winner at the Academy Awards.

“People who end up as ‘first’ don’t actually set out to be first. They set out to do something they love.” – Condoleezza Rice 

We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark. – Whoopi Goldberg 

The Oscars may be over, but will never be forgotten for Jordan Peele. He earned a place in the history books as the 39-year-old actor, comedian, writer, and director is the first African-American to win the best writing (original screenplay) Oscar at the 90th Academy Awards. 

Peele is not only a trailblazer, buy also a wealthy one; with a personal fortune estimated at $12 million according to Celebrity Net Worth Today.  

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN 

Jordan Peele was born in New York City. After finishing high school, he attended the prestigious Sarah Lawrence college for two years, but dropped out to start doing comedy.  

Early in his career he met the cast of Mad TV in 2003 and joined the show for its ninth season staying for five seasons and ending his run through season 13.   

One relationship that he made which went on to last many years personally and professionally would be with comedian Keegan-Michael Key. 

It was said while the two were auditing for a show that they had an undeniable chemistry working together and so they got paired up often.  This is where Peele would later go on to be associated with most as a star of a major comedic television show.

Jordan Peele is known to most as half of the dynamic duo behind the former Comedy Central smash skit show “Key & Peele.” The show ran for five seasons from 2012-2015.  

FROM ACTOR TO DIRECTOR 

Jordan Peele has made the transition from actor to director with apparent ease. His debut film was one of the highest grossing of 2017.  

Jordan Peele’s Get Out made over $150 million at the domestic box office. It went on to become the highest-grossing movie ever for a feature debut for a writer/director of an original screenplay.

Breaking yet another record, Jordan Peele becomes the first black writer-director to make a $100M debut feature.   

According to Box Office Mojo, Get Out was made with a budget of only $4.5 million, and has grossed a massive $252,434,250 worldwide.

In early 2018, Peele announced an intention to retire from acting as  he feels directing is more fun.  

All that hard work has paid off.  Peele has an estimated annual salary of $1.5M-$2M for work on television and film for the first time director. Although, he left college early to work, we see that it was well worth the gamble he bet on himself.  

Therefore, remembering that this quote could very well net you a fortune, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” – Aristotle 

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER

On March 4, 2018, Jordan Peele made Oscar history by winning his first ever Academy Award for best original screenplay.

The years of hard work learning his craft, auditing, writing comedy, performing, acting, and directing has cultivated in the ultimate accolade and highest honor in his field: an Oscar.

His partner in laughs, Key, had the ultimate fan reaction you could imagine.

Great moment here when Jordan Peele wins for Get Out ! pic.twitter.com/cRTkdTNczZ

— Ben Winston (@benwinston) March 5, 2018

Upon accepting his award he thanked his mother for her love and support.

He also thanked Whoopi Goldberg for inspiring him during his acceptance speech. (She is the second black actress to receive two acting nominations and did so in both categories; Supporting and Lead) Just FYI.  

When @WhoopiGoldberg won her Oscar for “Ghost” she practically reached through my TV screen and told young me to follow my dreams. I did, and it worked. Thanks Whoopi. pic.twitter.com/yFCoWdd7Ee

— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) March 5, 2018