American music executive and film producer Clarence Avant is famous as “The Black Godfather.” Clarence launched the careers of hundreds of performers, including Janet Jackson, throughout the course of a multi-decade career. A 2019 Netflix documentary called “The Black Godfather” was about him. Due to his numerous extensive commercial and personal connections, Clarence is frequently referred to as the “Godfather of Black Music” or “The Black Godfather.”
Clarence Avant Biography And Net Worth
| Net Worth $50 million |
| Full Name Clarence Alexander Avant |
| Birth Date February 25, 1931 |
| Age 91 years |
| Birthplace Climax, North Carolina |
| Profession Film Producer, Entrepreneur, Music executive |
| Girlfriend Jacqueline “Jackie” Alberta Gray |
Clarence Avant Early Life
The oldest of eight children, Clarence Alexander Avant was born on February 25, 1931, in Climax, North Carolina. Up to the ninth grade, he went to a one-room school in Greensboro, North Carolina. Before relocating to New Jersey as a teenager in 1947, he attended Dudley High School in Greensboro for his first and second years of high school. When Avant was sixteen years old, he fled to New Jersey to avoid his controlling stepfather. He started a job at Macy’s. Avant held jobs as a stock clerk at Macy’s and for a legal directory in New Jersey.
Clarence Avant Career Beginnings
When Clarence took over management of Teddy P’s Lounge in Newark, New Jersey, in the 1950s, his musical career officially began. Later, he managed a variety of entertainers, such as Little Willie John, Sarah Vaughn, and Tommy Wilson. A guy by the name of Joe Glaser, who oversaw Louis Armstrong from 1935 until his own passing in 1969, served as one of his early musical mentors.
Clarence Avant Success
Clarence moved to California in 1967 to work for Venture Records, Inc., which was established by Mickey Stevenson, a former Motown songwriter, and executive. He arranged the first collaboration between an African-American artist and a significant record label, which helped him establish his reputation as a music executive on a national scale. Sadly, Venture Records stopped operating in 1969. Clarence established his own record label, Sussex Records, Inc. after Venture closed. Clarence unfortunately overextended himself by buying a radio station among other endeavors, which led to the label’s demise in 1975.
After Sussex failed, Clarence started a new record company called Tabu Records, which went on to produce a number of hugely successful singers. He later worked for numerous record labels and production organizations as an executive and consultant, and he is currently the president of numerous music publishing businesses.
Clarence Avant Wife
In 1967, Clarence Avant wed Jacqueline Alberta Gray and together, they are parents to two kids. Their daughter Nicole, who was formerly the US ambassador to the Bahamas, is now wed to Ted Sarandos, the head of Netflix.
Clarence Avant Net Worth
Clarence Avant has an estimated net worth of $50 million as of 2022. He has a number of real estate assets and resides in a $7 million Beverly Hills mansion. Sources claim that in 2022, his yearly salary will be $2 million.
Clarence Avant Height & Weight
| Height 5’8” |
| Weight 78kg |
| Eye Color Brown |
| Hair Color Grey |
