Kali Muscle is a famous bodybuilder and actor who has appeared in commercials for major brands such as Taco Bell and GEICO. He is also a fitness content creator with a massive following on YouTube. As of 2023, Kali Muscle has a net worth of $5 million.
Early Life
Real name Chuck Kirkendall, he was born on February 18, 1975 in Oakland, California. Kali and his three siblings were brought up by his mother and step-dad as they never saw their biological father.
He grew up poor in a neighborhood filled with crime, which influenced him heavily. His eldest brother died in a gun accident and this led to Chuck helping provide for his family by robbing others.
In high school, he was a wrestler and track athlete. The young man had a chance to get into college when Fresno State University gave him a football scholarship. However, he couldn’t pursue it as he got arrested by the authorities.
Prison Life
Before he was imprisoned, Kirkendall had a job at a local 24 Hour Fitness gym. He took advantage of the opportunity and spent his time lifting weights for free.
While in jail, Kali Muscle continued lifting weights in the prison gym. The guards removed the equipment he used as they were alarmed after seeing his body’s massive growth. As a substitute, Chuck began lifting fellow inmates to maintain his size.
After 11 years, he finally got out and relocated to Los Angeles, in hopes of launching an acting and bodybuilding career. Currently, he weighs around 235 to 245 pounds.
Rise to Success
His first spell in the limelight came in a Jamey Johnson music video and in 2011, he got a role in a Wonder Woman TV movie. Later on, he became famous for appearing in commercials for brands including Honda, Snickers, Comcast, and GEICO.
Kirkendall also tried professional bodybuilding and Mr. California 2012 after training for just a year. While rebuilding his reputation, the fitness enthusiast started uploading to YouTube on the side. He uploaded his first video in 2008, back before YouTube the platform it is today.
Since then, he’s been continuing to build his online presence. He launched a website, KaliMuscle.com, selling merchandise, books, and supplements. His YouTube channel is a huge success and now has over 3.3 million subscribers.
Net Worth and Earnings
Kali has multiple income sources and YouTube is his main money maker. YouTube channels on average make $3 to $7 per 1,000 views. Based on this, Kali makes an estimated $230,000 per year from YouTube ads. He also earns extra money from selling merch and sponsorships.
Plus, there are his earnings as a bodybuilder. Pro bodybuilders earn between $19,726 and $187,200 per year in the US. Lastly, he makes money from cameos in films, TV series, music videos, and commercials. All of these activities result in a $5 million fortune, making one of the richest bodybuilders in the world.
Personal Life
Kali has been married twice. First he married R&B singer Dvyne Beverley in 2008, but they eventually divorced. Currently, he is with Helena Kirkendall, who gave him twins Kali Jr. and Brooke Taylor. However, the family also had troubles. Kali had a heart attack in 2021 and is recovering from the setback.
