Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$8.5 million
Date Of BirthJanuary 26, 1970
SpouseTammy Collins
FactHas openly discussed his struggle with pornography addiction.


Kirk Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American gospel musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his contemporary style of gospel music and for leading the urban contemporary gospel choir The Family. Kirk Franklin has won multiple awards, including twelve Grammy Awards, forty-six Dove Awards, one Stellar Award, one BET Award, eighteen NAACP Image Awards, two Soul Train Music Awards, and one GMA Music Award. In 1998, he was featured on the PBS series In Performance at the White House.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgfwtLtpyml/

Early Life

Kirk Franklin was born in Riverside, Texas on January 26, 1970. His parents divorced when he was four years old, and he was raised by his mother, Gertrude, and his aunt, Carolyn. Franklin’s mother died in 1999. He began singing in his church choir at the age of five. Franklin’s father was a deacon who would often take him to church on Sundays. When he was eight years old, Franklin started a gospel group called “Kirk Franklin & The Family”. He also played drums in his church choir.

Franklin attended Jack Yates Senior High School in Houston, Texas. He was a member of the track and field team and the choir. After graduating from high school in 1988, he enrolled at Prairie View A&M University. He graduated from Prairie View in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Career

Franklin’s career began when he was signed to a record deal with GospoCentric Records in 1993. His debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family, was released in 1993 and reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Franklin’s second album, Whatcha Lookin’ 4, was released in 1996 and reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.

In 1998, Franklin was featured on the PBS series In Performance at the White House. He performed “The Storm Is Over Now” with President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton in attendance.

In 2000, Franklin released his third album, The Nu Nation Project. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

In 2002, Franklin won his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for The Nu Nation Project.

In 2005, Franklin released his fourth album, Hero. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

In 2007, Franklin won his second Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Hero.

In 2009, Franklin released his fifth album, Rebuilding the Walls. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

In 2011, Franklin won his third Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song for “God Bless America” from Rebuilding the Walls.

In 2013, Franklin released his sixth album, Hello Fear. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

In 2015, Franklin won his fourth Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album for Hello Fear.

In 2017, Franklin released his seventh album, Long Live Love. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

In 2019, Franklin won his fifth Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song for “Love Theory” from Long Live Love.

Net Worth

Kirk Franklin has a net worth of $35 million. He has earned his net worth through his successful career as a gospel musician, singer, songwriter and record producer.

General Info

Full NameKirk Franklin
Net Worth$8.5 million
Date Of BirthJanuary 26, 1970
Height1.66 m
ProfessionRecord producer, Author, Actor, Gospel singer, Songwriter, Music Director, I Smile, Imagine Me, Why We Sing, Beaumont, TX, United States, Merrillville, IN, United States, Baltimore, MD, United States
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseTammy Collins
ChildrenCaziah Franklin, Kerrion Franklin, Carrington Franklin, Kennedy Franklin, I Smile, Imagine Me, Why We Sing, Beaumont, TX, United States, Merrillville, IN, United States, Baltimore, MD, United States
ParentsGertrude Franklin

Accomplishments

AwardsGrammy Award for Best Gospel Song, Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album, BET Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Artist, Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song, Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Album, Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Artist, Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Song, Gr...
Music GroupsGeorgia Mass Choir, 1NC, I Smile, Imagine Me, Why We Sing, Beaumont, TX, United States, Merrillville, IN, United States, Baltimore, MD, United States
NominationsGrammy Award for Song of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance, Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Male, NAACP Image Award for Outstand...
MoviesBeaumont, TX, United States, Merrillville, IN, United States, Baltimore, MD, United States, Joyful Noise, Something to Sing About, Hopeville, Sweating in the Spirit: A 3-in-1 Gospel Workout, Celebration of Gospel: Taking You Higher, Gotta Have Gospel Gold, Kirk Franklin: The Nu Nation Tour, Celebrat...
TV ShowsSunday Best, One Day, Beaumont, TX, United States, Merrillville, IN, United States, Baltimore, MD, United States

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Has openly discussed his struggle with pornography addiction.
2Kirk has two children from his marriage with Tammy: Kennedy, born in 1997, and Caziah, born in 1999. Kirk has a son from a previous relationship, Kerrion, born in 1988. Tammy also has a daughter from a previous relationship, Carrington, born in 1989.
3Is the first gospel singer to have his music featured on a movie soundtrack.

Pictures

Movies

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Saturday Night Live2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
Joyful Noise2012performer: "In Love" / writer: "In Love"
90210TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2009 writer - 1 episode, 2009
Norbit2007performer: "Looking for You" / writer: "Looking for You"
My Brother2006writer: "Why We Sing" - as K. Franklin
The Gospel2005performer: "Still Alive", "Ooh Child Urban Mix" / producer: "Still Alive", "Please Answer", "Peace Like a River" / writer: "Awesome God He Reigns", "Still Alive", "Please Answer", "Peace Like a River", "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", "Seasons Change", "Child's Song", "Now Behold the Lamb"
Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel Music2004Video documentary writer: "Stomp Remix", "Holy One"
Boycott2001TV Movie performer: "Revolution" / writer: "Revolution"
Kingdom Come2001performer: "Kingdom Come", "Thank You" / producer: "Kingdom Come", "It's Alright", "Someday", "Every Woman", "Stand", "Thy Will Be Done", "Daddy's Song", "Try Me", "Thank You" / writer: "Kingdom Come", "It's Alright", "Someday", "Every Woman", "Stand", "Thy Will Be Done", "Daddy's Song", "Try Me", "Thank You"
Play It to the Bone1999writer: "Gonna Be a Lovely Day"
Any Given Sunday1999performer: "REVOLUTION" / writer: "REVOLUTION"
The Preacher's Wife1996writer: "Joy"
Get on the Bus1996performer: "My Life Is In Your Hands" / producer: "My Life Is In Your Hands" / writer: "My Life Is In Your Hands"
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood1996performer: "Don't Give Up"

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Centric Celebrates Selma: 50th Anniversary Music Special2015TV Movie
Joyful Noise2012Baylor Sykes
Sweating in the Spirit2005Video
The Proud Family2003TV SeriesReverend Haygood
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno2001TV Series
Something to Sing About2000TV MovieCharles
Sister, Sister1998TV SeriesJames Henry

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Angel Wishes: Journey of a Spiritual Healer2009
Stomp1997Video short

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sunday Best2015TV Series executive producer - 1 episode

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Hot 102011TV Series thanks - 2 episodes

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards2016TV SpecialHimself
Saturday Night Live2016TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Covered-Alive in Asia2016DocumentaryHimself
The View2014-2016TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Steve Harvey2016TV SeriesHimself
The Real2015TV SeriesHimself
Being2015TV Mini-SeriesHimself
Sunday Best2007-2015TV SeriesHimself - Host
Sidewalks Entertainment2013TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Celebration of Gospel2012TV MovieHimself
43rd NAACP Image Awards2012TV SpecialHimself
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon2011TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
The Mo'Nique Show2010-2011TV SeriesHimself
American Idol2011TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
The Hot 102011TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Praise the Lord2002-2010TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest Host
Tavis Smiley2010TV SeriesHimself
24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards2009TV SpecialHimself
Life on the Edge: A Global Crisis2008TV MovieHimself
39th NAACP Image Awards2008TV SpecialHimself
Can You Hear Me Now: The Evolution of Gospel Music2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
Live with Kelly and Michael2005-2008TV SeriesHimself
Access Hollywood2007TV SeriesHimself
22nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards2007TV SpecialHimself - Host
BET Awards 20062006TV SpecialHimself
2006 American Music Awards2006TV SpecialHimself
T.D. Jakes Presents MegaFest: Let It Flow2006TV MovieHimself
Access Granted2006TV SeriesHimself
37th Annual Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards2006TV SpecialHost
Soul Train1996-2006TV Series documentaryHimself
21st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards2006TV SpecialHimself
An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder2006TV Movie documentaryHimself
Diamond Life2005TV SeriesHimself
Night of Joy2005TV MovieHimself
Livin It: Unusual Suspects2005TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Oprah Winfrey Show2005TV SeriesHimself
Sharp Talk2005TV SeriesHimself - Guest
25 Strong: The BET Silver Anniversary Special2005TV SpecialHimself
An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Quincy Jones2005TV MovieHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1997-2004TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Musical Guest
35th Annual GMA Music Awards2004TV SpecialHimself
35th NAACP Image Awards2004TV SpecialHimself
Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel Music2004Video documentaryHimself
19th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards2004TV SpecialHimself - Co-Host
Pyramid2003TV SeriesHimself
Celebration of Gospel2003TV MovieHimself (on video)
Essence Awards2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
17th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards2002TV SpecialHimself
Journeys in Black2001TV Series documentaryHimself
An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence2001TV Special documentaryHimself
Kirk Franklin: The Nu Nation Tour1999VideoHimself
The 41st Annual Grammy Awards1999TV SpecialHimself
1999 Essence Awards1999TV SpecialHimself
29th NAACP Image Awards1998TV SpecialHimself
Comic Relief VIII1998TV SpecialHimself (as Kirk Franklin and Nu Nation)
Savion Glover's Nu York1998TV MovieHimself
The 1998 Soul Train Christmas Starfest1998TV MovieHimself
The 1997 Billboard Music Awards1997TV SpecialHimself - Performer
Concert of Hope1997TV Special
3rd Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards1997TV SpecialHimself
10th Anniversary Essence Awards1997TV SpecialHimself
Late Show with David Letterman1997TV SeriesHimself
Stomp1997Video shortHimself
27th NAACP Image Awards1996TV SpecialHimself
New York Undercover1996TV SeriesHimself
The 8th Annual Soul Train Music Awards1994TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The Arsenio Hall Show1994TV SeriesHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Black Girls Rock! 20112011TV MovieHimself
The Best of the Doves Marathon2007TV MovieHimself - Performer

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1998Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2016Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)Album: "Losing My Religion"
2000Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special1999 Essence Awards (1999)
1999GrammyGrammy AwardsSong of the YearFor the song "Lean On Me"
1999Image AwardImage AwardsOutstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/SpecialOne Day (1997)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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