What is John Tesh’s net worth and salary?
John Tesh, the American television host and singer/songwriter, has a net worth of $30 million. He is most well-known for hosting “Entertainment Tonight” from 1986 to 1996. Tesh is also a successful musician, having sold over 8 million albums worldwide. He composed “Roundball Rock,” the theme song for the NBA on NBC for over a decade, which he claims was the most lucrative accomplishment of his career.
Early Life and Career
John Frank Tesh was born on July 9, 1952 in Garden City, New York. His mother was a nurse and his father was a chemist. John began taking piano and trumpet lessons when he was six and while in high school he earned a spot on the New York State Symphonic Orchestra.
After graduating from Garden City High School in 1970 he enrolled at North Carolina State where he intended to focus on physics and chemistry. He also took a radio and TV course on the side. Radio and TV soon became John’s passion. After graduating from college he landed a gig reading the news for Rick Dees who was hosting a sow on WKIX-FM in Raleigh.
During this period John’s roommate was a TV anchor at a local TV station in Raleigh. His roommate helped John enter the world of television and within a few years he was also working as a local news anchor.
John followed gigs to Orlando then Nashville before finally landing at WCBS-TV in New York. During his time in Nashville, Oprah Winfrey was his main rival at a competing station. The two often competed for scoops and interviews. He would remain at WCBS for the next 12 years. When he began at WCBS he was 22-years-old.
John Tesh’s Entertainment Tonight Controversy
John Tesh is best known for co-hosting “Entertainment Tonight” with Mary Hart from 1986 to 1996. During their tenure, the show achieved some of its highest ratings. However, in 1995, Tesh requested permission from Paramount Studios, the show’s production company, to take three months off in the summer to go on a musical tour. When the studio declined, Tesh made it clear that he would take the time off anyway. Paramount filed a temporary restraining order to prevent him from leaving, but Tesh ultimately took the break. This controversy occurred just one year after Tesh had signed a contract with the studio that was supposed to run through 1998.
John Tesh’s Earnings
During his time with Entertainment Tonight, John Tesh earned a salary of $4 million per year from Paramount Studios, which made him one of the highest-paid personalities on syndicated television. Today, he earns at least $5 million per year from his radio show.
John Tesh’s Career Highlights
Thanks to Entertainment Tonight, Tesh’s career took off. He later worked as a sports broadcaster for NBC and CBS, covering special events like the Tour de France, the US Open, and the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. Tesh made history as the first American broadcaster to cover the Tour de France for a national network.
John Tesh’s Music Career
John Tesh never gave up his passion for music, specifically the synthesizer keyboard. In the early 1980s, he befriended new-age musician Yanni. In 1987, Yanni asked John to join his touring band as the keyboardist for “Out of Silence.” John had never performed onstage before.
John performed with Yanni at 12 shows while maintaining his full-time job at Entertainment Tonight. In the early 1990s, he developed his songwriting and composing skills. He composed the theme music for Howie Mandel’s “Bobby’s World” in 1990.
In October 1995, John released “John Tesh Live at Red Rocks,” which reached #2 on Billboard’s New Age chart. After leaving Entertainment Tonight in 1996, John focused on his music career. He became one of the most-successful “contemporary worship” musicians ever, selling over 8 million albums globally. He has released more than 30 albums to date.
John Tesh’s Lucrative Composition: NBA on NBC Theme
John Tesh wrote and composed “Roundball Rock”, the theme song to the NBA on NBC from 1990 to 2002. It is the most profitable song he has ever created, surpassing the combined earnings of all his other works. The catchy hook came to him while on a plane, and he recorded a voice message reciting a rough version to avoid forgetting it. In 2018, he licensed the song to Fox Sports for their college basketball programming.
John Tesh’s “Intelligence for Your Life” Reaches 8 Million Daily Listeners
John Tesh hosts the “John Tesh Radio Show,” a nationally syndicated program that plays soft rock, classic hits, and Christian music. He also includes factoids and trivia in a segment called “Intelligence for Your Life.” This segment is syndicated on numerous morning shows and has its own three-hour weekend program hosted by Tesh’s wife, Connie Sellecca. “Intelligence for Your Life” has become one of the most-listened to radio programs in the world, with a daily audience of 8 million listeners.
Marriage and Family
John Tesh has been married to actress/model/producer Connie Sellecca since 1992. Together they have one daughter. Sellecca also has a child from a previous relationship.
John and Connie’s Custom Built Mansion in Beverly Hills
John and Connie have resided in Beverly Hills for over 30 years, within a gated community situated high up in the hills. In 2005, they decided to demolish their previous mansion and construct a custom-built 10,500 square-foot mansion, which is estimated to be worth between $13-16 million today.
Accomplishments
John Tesh was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2018 and the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2019. He won the Syndicated Personality/Show of the year award in 2007 and was nominated for a “Best Pop Instrumental Album” in 2003. Additionally, Tesh has won six Emmys for his sports theme songs.
