Tiny Hightower is an American actor known for playing tough guy roles in films and on television. He has had a long career spanning over 30 years and has appeared in numerous popular movies and TV shows. Hightower has amassed a good net worth from his acting work over the decades.
Biography and Age
Tiny Hightower was born on August 19, 1944 in Middletown, Ohio, making him 79 years old today. His birth name is Nehemiah Hightower. He got the nickname “Tiny” as an ironic reference to his large stature.
Hightower got interested in acting when he was in high school and college. He played football at the University of Wyoming and was even scouted by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. However, he chose to pursue acting instead of professional football.
Early Acting Career
Tiny got his start in acting by doing stage productions after finishing college. In the 1970s, he began getting small roles in films like The Jerk (1979), Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie (1980), and Heart Like a Wheel (1983).
Hightower’s breakthrough came when he was cast as crime boss Clarence Boddicker in the sci-fi action hit RoboCop in 1987. His chilling villainous performance put him on the map in Hollywood. He followed this up with roles in Action Jackson (1988), Speed Zone (1989), and Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989).
1990s and 2000s Films
In the 1990s, Tiny continued acting in movies regularly. He appeared in major films like The People Under the Stairs (1991), Out for Justice (1991), Universal Soldier (1992), Demolition Man (1993), and Batman Forever (1995).
Hightower remained prolific in the 2000s as well with roles in The Animal (2001), 13 Moons (2002), The Mist (2007), and American Violet (2008) among others. He often portrayed police officers, criminals, or military men due to his imposing physique and style of acting.
Television Career
In addition to films, Tiny has made many guest appearances on popular TV shows over the decades. In the 1980s, he had small roles on The A-Team, Hunter, Magnum P.I., and Night Court.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Hightower appeared on shows like In the Heat of the Night, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NYPD Blue, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Charmed, The Shield, and My Name is Earl.
One regular TV role he had was on the police drama series E-Ring from 2005 to 2006. Tiny played Colonel Eli McNulty for the show’s single season run.
Recent Years
In recent years, Tiny has continued to act in both films and TV shows. Some projects he has been part of include Argo (2012), Parker (2013), Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013), This Is Us (2016-2017), and NCIS (2017-2018).
While Hightower is now in his late 70s, he still actively takes on acting roles demonstrating his dedication to the craft over his long career. Fans can expect to continue seeing him appear in various projects in the coming years.
Tiny Hightower Net Worth
So what is Tiny Hightower’s net worth after his 40+ year acting career? According to estimates, his net worth is around $500,000 as of 2022.
The majority of Hightower’s wealth has come from his film roles over the decades. While never a leading man, he has appeared in dozens of major movies in supporting parts. His long career and reliability has allowed him to build solid net worth as a character actor.
Tiny has earned most of his money through salaries and royalties. Actors of his status can command minimum paydays of tens of thousands of dollars for film roles nowadays. Tiny has shrewdly built up his resume and net worth over his lengthy time in Hollywood.
Height and Other Details
In terms of physical stats, Tiny Hightower is 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) tall and weighs around 290 lbs (132 kg). His shoe size is speculated to be a men’s 15.
Tiny has dark brown hair, though he has often sported a shaved bald look for intimidating tough guy roles. He also is sometimes seen with facial hair including a mustache and goatee.
Conclusion
In summary, Tiny Hightower has cultivated a strong career as a supporting actor in Hollywood for over 40 years now. While not a celebrity name, he has appeared in many hit films that have contributed well to his current net worth of around $500,000. Hightower’s career is still going strong as he approaches 80 years old. His imposing physical presence has led to him being typecast as villains and lawmen, but he has delivered memorable performances nonetheless. Tiny Hightower’s lengthy resume and net worth are a testament to having steady work over decades in the fickle acting business.
