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Net worth | $300 million |
Date of birth | April 21, 1976 |
Profession | Artist, musician, actor, former journalist, podcast host |
Nationality | American |
David Choe, a multifaceted artist known for his vibrant and raw paintings, murals, and graphic novels, has amassed a staggering net worth of $300 million.
This impressive sum stems from a combination of his artistic endeavors and a savvy business decision early in his career.
Choe’s artistic career has undoubtedly played a significant role in his financial success.
His paintings, characterized by a bold and expressive style, are highly sought after by collectors.
While the exact breakdown of his art sales isn’t publicly available, some of his works have fetched significant sums at auctions.
Additionally, his contributions to magazines like Hustler, Vice and Ray Gun, along with his published graphic novels, have likely brought him a steady income stream.
However, a major portion of Choe’s wealth can be attributed to a brilliant business move he made in the early days of Facebook.
In exchange for tattooing Facebook co-founder Sean Parker, Choe received stock options in the then-fledgling company.
When Facebook went public in 2012, the value of those stock options skyrocketed, making Choe an instant multimillionaire.
This windfall, coupled with his ongoing artistic achievements, has solidified Choe’s position as a major player in the art world and the business world.
Early life
Choe, born on April 21, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, spent his childhood in Koreatown. R
Raised by Korean immigrant parents, he learned to draw from pop culture influences like Star Wars and G.I. Joe.
Choe’s teenage years were marked by personal struggles, including theft after his bicycle was stolen.
Inspired by L.A. graffiti artists, he began painting graffiti messages and faces instead of using his name.
At 16, he participated in the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which impacted his family financially due to their business being burned down.
After dropping out of high school, Choe hitchhiked across various countries before enrolling at the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland but dropped out after two years.
Despite facing challenges like a brief prison stint for graffiti and financial difficulties, Choe’s determination led him to establish himself as a prominent artist across various mediums like comics, murals, music videos and more.
Facebook murals
Choe painted murals at Facebook’s headquarters in Palo Alto, California, in 2005 and 2007.
Initially commissioned by Sean Parker, Facebook’s first president, Choe created graphic sexual murals for the company’s first office.
Later, in 2007, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, requested Choe to paint more subdued murals for their new office.
Despite his initial skepticism about Facebook’s business model, Choe opted to receive company stock instead of $60,000 in cash for his work.
This decision proved immensely lucrative, with his shares valued at over $200 million when Facebook went public in 2012.
Choe’s artwork from the original headquarters was removed and displayed in other Facebook offices worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a prominent artist and his significant financial success from this collaboration.
Car collection
Choe has a notable car collection that includes customized vehicles like the 2007 Scion xB, which was transformed into a pickup truck by JMI Motoring and painted by Choe himself.
His involvement in customizing cars showcases his artistic talents beyond traditional mediums, merging art and automotive design.
Choe’s unique approach to car customization has garnered attention and recognition within the automotive and art communities, highlighting his creativity and innovation in various forms of expression.
Real estate properties
Choe owns a significant real estate property in Los Feliz, which he purchased for $5 million.
This property is not just a home but also considered a piece of art in itself, reflecting Choe’s unique style and taste.
The house stands out as a showcase of his remarkable career and artistic vision, adding to his diverse portfolio beyond his art and car collection.
Career
Choe is a multi-talented American artist, musician, actor, and former journalist known for his raw and frenetic figurative paintings.
He gained fame for his graffiti art in Los Angeles and has worked on various urban culture platforms.
Choe’s career highlights include self-publishing a graphic novel, painting murals at Facebook’s offices for stock shares valued at $200 million and hosting the Vice series, Thumbs Up!, where he traveled the world hitchhiking.
He also co-hosted the podcast DVDASA with Asa Akira.
In 2023, Choe starred in the Netflix miniseries, Beef, as Isaac Cho and painted title cards for the show.
Despite controversies like comments made on his podcast and protest over his inclusion in mural projects, he remains a prominent figure in the art and entertainment industry, known for his boundary-pushing work and unconventional approach to creativity.
Rape accusations
Choe faced backlash due to resurfaced comments from a 2014 DVDASA podcast where he described non-consensual sexual acts with a massage therapist.
His statements led to accusations of promoting rape culture, with critics highlighting the disturbing nature of his storytelling.Â
Despite claiming that the story was fictional and meant for shock value, the controversy surrounding his remarks intensified, prompting discussions about the appropriateness of such content and the impact of his words.
Choe’s attempts to remove clips of the podcast from social media through copyright notices further fueled the debate, raising questions about censorship and accountability in the context of sensitive topics like sexual assault.
What is the DVDASA podcast about?
The DVDASA podcast, co-hosted by Choe and Asa Akira, focused on discussing gender, racial and health issues in a relentless and open manner.
The podcast aimed to tackle these topics candidly and passionately, reflecting the creators’ unique approach to communication.
Through their show, Choe and Akira engaged in conversations that were unfiltered and direct, addressing a wide range of subjects with a raw and unapologetic style.
The podcast provided a platform for exploring sensitive and controversial issues while maintaining a sense of authenticity and openness in their discussions.
‘Beef’ controversy
The controversy surrounding Choe in the Netflix show, Beef, stems from resurfaced videos where he described inappropriate behavior, including a story about a masseuse.
Choe faced backlash for these comments, with the show’s creators and stars condemning his past actions while acknowledging his efforts towards self-improvement.
Despite the controversy, Beef received critical acclaim for its Asian American representation and storyline, with Choe’s role adding depth to the narrative but also bringing attention to his past missteps.
Choe’s response to the allegations included statements denying being a rapist and emphasizing that the story was fabricated for shock value, highlighting his role as an artist and storyteller.
The controversy has sparked discussions about accountability, artistic expression, and the impact of past actions on present opportunities and public perception.
Filmography
Choe’s filmography includes various works across different mediums.
Some notable appearances are in Beef, The Mandalorian and We Are the Strange.
Additionally, he has been involved in projects like the documentary web series, Thumbs Up!, The Last Dinosaur of the Congo with David Choe and the documentary film, Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe.
Choe has also made appearances in TV shows like Vice and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, as well as in the podcast web show, DVDASA, and the series, The Choe Show.
David Choe family
Choe was born in Los Angeles to Korean immigrant parents, Jana and Jimmy Choe, who are born-again Christians.
He grew up in Koreatown, Los Angeles, and his family background reflects a bicultural upbringing.
Choe’s parents played a significant role in shaping his life and values.
His family life and cultural heritage have influenced his art and career, contributing to the themes of desire, degradation and exaltation that are prevalent in his work.
Choe’s upbringing in a bicultural family has provided him with a unique perspective that is reflected in his art and the challenges and opportunities he has encountered throughout his career.
