What is Rockmond Dunbar’s Net Worth and Salary?

Rockmond Dunbar, an accomplished American actor, boasts a net worth of $500 thousand. His career is marked by a diverse array of television roles, including standout performances in “Soul Food,” “Prison Break,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “The Mentalist,” and “9-1-1.” Over the past three decades, Dunbar has established himself as an actor known for portraying strong, emotionally resonant characters with a balance of intensity and depth. His consistent on-screen presence has made him a staple in both drama and action genres. However, his career faced a hiccup when he exited “9-1-1” due to disputes over COVID-19 vaccine mandates, resulting in a lawsuit against Disney-owned 20th Television, which he lost in 2025. Despite this, he remains admired for his skills and his unwavering commitment to his principles.

Early Life

Born on January 11, 1973, in Berkeley, California, Rockmond Dunbar attended Oakland Technical High School before moving on to Morehouse College in Atlanta. He eventually transferred to the College of Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico, where he honed his acting skills. During his college years, he also developed a keen interest in visual arts, which he pursued alongside his acting career. Through ancestry research, Dunbar discovered his roots trace back to the Yoruba people of Nigeria and was honored with the Yoruba name Omobowale, meaning “our son has come home.”

Career Beginnings

Rockmond Dunbar embarked on his professional acting journey in the early 1990s, securing small roles in series such as “Earth 2” and “The Pretender.” These initial roles provided him with valuable on-set experience and exposure to network television. He continued to build his career with appearances on shows like “Felicity,” “Two Guys and a Girl,” and “North Shore,” leading to his big break in 2000.

Breakthrough and Television Success

Dunbar’s career-defining moment arrived with the Showtime series “Soul Food,” which aired from 2000 to 2004. He portrayed Kenny Chadway, a character juggling family life, marriage, and personal ambition. This role highlighted his emotional depth and cemented his status as a serious dramatic actor.

In 2005, Dunbar joined the popular Fox series “Prison Break,” playing Benjamin Miles “C-Note” Franklin, a soldier-turned-inmate. His performance added layers of humanity and complexity to the action-packed series, earning him a dedicated fan base and widespread recognition.

After “Prison Break,” Dunbar successfully transitioned to other prominent TV roles, including Sheriff Eli Roosevelt in “Sons of Anarchy,” FBI Agent Dennis Abbott in “The Mentalist,” and Detective Abe Gaines in Hulu’s “The Path.” His versatility in portraying both authoritative and conflicted characters has made him one of Hollywood’s most dependable supporting actors.

In 2018, Dunbar joined the cast of the Fox drama “9-1-1,” playing Michael Grant, the ex-husband of Angela Bassett’s character. His performance brought depth and sensitivity to the role, earning praise for its realistic portrayal of a gay Black man navigating family life and identity. He remained with the series until 2021.

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“9-1-1” Exit and Vaccine Lawsuit

Dunbar’s departure from “9-1-1” in 2021 drew national attention after he refused to comply with the production’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He applied for a religious exemption based on his membership in the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, a belief system that opposes vaccines and medical interventions. When his exemption was denied and his character was written out, Dunbar sued 20th Television in 2022, alleging religious discrimination and wrongful termination.

During the 2025 trial, Dunbar testified that his decision not to take the vaccine was guided by faith and that losing his job left him in financial distress. Disney’s lawyers countered that Dunbar’s beliefs were inconsistent and that the studio had acted lawfully. In October 2025, a federal jury ruled in favor of Disney, rejecting his claims. Dunbar reacted emotionally to the verdict but later said, “God still won today,” affirming that he stood by his convictions despite the loss.

“9-1-1” Salary

While starring on “9-1-1,” Rockmond Dunbar was earning approximately $100,000 per episode, a figure he confirmed during his 2025 court testimony. That salary placed him among the higher-paid supporting actors on the series, reflecting his established career and importance to the ensemble cast. At that rate, Dunbar was earning around $2 million per season before taxes when appearing regularly, and even continued to receive pay for several episodes in which his character did not appear on screen.

Dunbar later described the job as “a dream” and “like winning the lottery,” emphasizing that the consistent income and visibility from the hit Fox drama provided rare financial stability for a working actor. However, after his dismissal in 2021, Dunbar said he struggled to replace that level of income and eventually exhausted his retirement savings while pursuing his lawsuit. His departure from the show, coupled with the ensuing controversy over vaccine mandates, effectively halted his television momentum and marked a significant financial and professional setback after years of steady success.

Film Work

Outside television, Dunbar has appeared in several films, including “Punks,” “All About You,” “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang,” “Dirty Laundry,” and “Pastor Brown.” His movie roles have tended to focus on grounded, character-driven stories rather than blockbusters, reflecting his preference for roles with emotional weight. More recently, he appeared in Tyler Perry’s Netflix drama “Straw,” playing a police chief in a performance praised for its authenticity and restraint.

Personal Life

Rockmond Dunbar married actress and writer Maya Gilbert in 2013. The couple has several children and has spoken openly about balancing their family life with demanding careers. He was previously married to Ivy Holmes from 2003 to 2006. Away from acting, Dunbar is also a visual artist and photographer. His mixed-media art exhibition “Artheraphy” explored personal expression and healing through creativity.