Donald Glover is not your average A-list celebrity. While some celebrities use their wealth to live in luxury, the eccentric pop star spends money on dollar-store candy.
Actor and rapper Glover, aka Childish Gambino, is worth an estimated $35 million, but it’s worth remembering that he once said he spent his first Hollywood checks on candy.
Why Candy
In a resurfaced interview from 2019 Glover explained to Jimmy Kimmel candy was prohibited at his house growing up with Jehovah’s Witness parents. He was on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to promote the release of Disney’s reimagined “Lion King,” for which Glover voiced one of the animated characters.
“I had more money than all of my friends, but, you know, you don’t spend it well. You’re too young,” Glover said in response to spending habits back in college.
In 2006, Glover, who was attending New York University at at the time, became a writer for the NBC sitcom “30 Rock.”
And, one of the first things Glover purchased with his big paychecks was Gushers candy.
His writing career only flourished as he got older, writing and starring in several projects. His portrayal of college student Troy Barnes on the NBC sitcom “Community” from 2009 to 2014 brought him fame as an actor. Since 2016, Glover has starred in the FX series “Atlanta,” which he created and also sometimes directs.
He also began performing music under the name Childish Gambino. His 2018 song “This is America” was a breakout hit.
There are also rumors surrounding Glover reprising his role in “Community” for an upcoming Peacock streaming movie. Currently, Glover is working on “Mr. And Mrs. Smith” as the lead character in the Amazon reboot exclusive.
Beyond Candy
Glover would eventually make smarter investments than splurging on candy. He was a lead investor for medical startup Genexa during its $60 million Series A round in 2021.
As of now, Genexa, a company that touts to be the first clean over-the-counter medicine company, is the only investment Glover has made public.
Glover was one of 22 Hollywood actors/investors Genexa. Other investors includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Pratt, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Don Cheadle, among others.
Funny. I was also raised a Jehovah’s Witness and we had a lot of candy in the house. Sounds like a parental preference. NOT a religious one.