• Chris Cornell (born Christopher John Boyle) was a musician, singer and songwriter best known for his work with the American rock groups Soundgarden and Audioslave, and the establisher of Temple of the Dog.
• He had an estimated net worth of $60 million.
• He was raised in Seattle, Washington, in a family of Irish-Catholic and Jewish ancestry.
• He was part of the grunge scene in Seattle in the early 1990s with his band Soundgarden, and later Audioslave.
• He died in 2017 of suicide by hanging at the age of 52.



Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$60 million
Date Of BirthJuly 20, 1964
SpouseVicky Karayiannis, Susan Silver, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA
MarkRaw edged vocals
FactFirst American male to perform the opening credits song for a James Bond film (You Know My Name, from Casino Royale (2006)).


Who was Chris Cornell?

Christopher John Boyle was born on 20 July 1964 and was a musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer for the American rock groups Soundgarden and Audioslave, and the establisher of Temple of the Dog, a band dedicated to his late friend Andrew Wood. Cornell was additionally known for a number of his solo projects and soundtrack contributions. He passed away in 2017

Net Worth

So just how rich was Chris Cornell? According to authoritative sources, this musician had a net worth of $60 million, accumulated from his over three decades long career in the mentioned field, particularly from releasing “Screaming Life” and “Fopp” among others songs.

Early Life

Cornell was born in Seattle, Washington, where he spent his formative years. His parents were of Irish-Catholic and  Jewish ancestry, and he additionally described both of them as alcoholics. He was the middle child with three younger sisters and two older brothers. Speaking about his education, he was a student of Christ the King Catholic elementary school, and during his time there, performed in front of an audience for the very first time, singing the anti-war song entitled “One Tin Soldier.” He was afterwards a student of Shorewood High School, but was pulled out of the school in seventh grade, basically for questioning the catholic faith.

Soundgarden

The band named Soundgarden was established in 1984 by Cornell, Yamamoto and Thayil, who was initially working on drums and vocals. In 1985, the group was joined by Scott Sundquist as the drummer, in order to let Cornell completely focus on his vocal abilities. The band’s initial recordings were three tunes that were part of the compilation named “Deep Six”. Sund quist left in 1986 to spend more time with his family, replaced by Matt Cameron, after which the band signed a deal with Sub Pop, releasing the “Screaming Life” EP in 1987 and the “Fopp” EP in the following year. Even though the group was being approached by important labels, they signed to SST Records, an independent label, in 1988, and launched their debut album under the title “Ultramega OK”, for which they attained a Grammy Award nomination in the category of Best Metal Performance in 1990. Soundgarden subsequently signed a deal with A&M Records, actually the very first grunge band to sign a deal with a major label, and alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, Soundgarden quickly evolved into one of the most successful groups from Seattle’s grunge scene during the early ‘90s.

Solo Career

In 1998, Cornell started working on content for a solo album made in collaboration with Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider. The album, which was ultimately entitled “Euphoria Morning”, was released in late September 1999, featuring “Wave Goodbye”, an homage to Chris’ late friend, Jeff Buckley, and following which Chris went on a tour, which attracted  high attendances, with Cornell supported by musicians such as Alain Johannes, Rick Makmann and Natasha Shneider. However, his album didn’t live up to the expectations, selling less than 400,000 copies in the US, however, the single “Can’t Change Me” ended up being nominated for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 2000 Grammy Awards, and the singer subsequently recorded the French version of the song.

Audioslave

The band Audioslave was created after Zack de la Rocha quit Rage Against the Machine and the rest of the members were looking for a singer. Rick Rubin, producer and friend, recommended that they contact Cornell, who was in the process of creating a second solo album, but decided to leave that project aside and work with Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk. Additionally, Morello spoke about Chris, stating “He stepped to the microphone and sang the song, and I couldn’t believe it. It didn’t just sound good. It didn’t sound great. It sounded transcendent.” The established quartet compiled 21 songs over the course of 19 days of rehearsal and began studio work in May 2011, and in November of the following year, they released their debut album entitled “Audioslave”, which was consisted of 14 songs such as “Cochise”, “Show Me How To Live” and “What You Are”. The album actually became the most band’s most successful, earning gold certification from the RIAA.

Temple of the Dog and Soundtrack Contributions

Besides being a member of the aforementioned bands, Cornell was also a part of Temple of the Dog, with whom he released the self entitled album, consisted of 10 tracks such as “Say Hello to Heaven”, “Hunger Strike” and “Pushin Forward Back”. The band held its first tour in 2016, celebrating their 25th anniversary. Chris’ music could also be heard on soundtracks for movies such as “Great Expectations” and “Mission: Impossible 2”, as well as on “Casino Royale”, and his song entitled “You Know My Name” was rewarded with a 2006 Satellite Award for Best Original Song.

Private Life and Social Media

In 1990, after five years of dating Cornell married Susan Silver, the manager of Alice in Chains and his band, Soundgarden. The couple had one child, a daughter named Lillian Jean, born in 2000, but four years later they separated, and during the same year Chris he married Vicky Karayiannia, a publicist. In late December 2008, the singer revealed that he won back the collection of 15 guitars, after a court battle with his ex-wife. Cornell was active on social media such as Twitter, attracting a following of almost two million people.

Death

In May 2017, the singer was found unconscious in the bathroom of the hotel room he was staying in. Initially, his death was ruled out as homicide, however, as the surveillance video showed nobody entering his room, Cornell’s death was eventually proclaimed suicide by hanging. He was 52 when he died.

General Info

Full NameChris Cornell
Net Worth$60 million
Date Of BirthJuly 20, 1964
Height1.88 m
ProfessionSinger-songwriter, Guitarist, Chef, Restaurateur, Songwriter, Businessperson, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA
EducationChrist the King School, Shorewood High School, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseVicky Karayiannis, Susan Silver, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA
ChildrenToni Cornell, Christopher Nicholas Cornell, Lillian Jean Cornell, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA
ParentsKaren Cornell, Ed Boyle, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA
SiblingsKaty Boyle, Patrick Boyle, Suzy Boyle, Peter Boyle, Maggie Boyle, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA

Accomplishments

AwardsiHeartRadio Music Award for Rock Song of the Year, Satellite Award for Best Original Song, World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA
Music GroupsBlack Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, USA, Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog, Mad Season, Eleven, Center for Disease Control Boys, Alice Mudgarden
NominationsGrammy Award for Best Rock Song, Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media, Black Hole Sun, Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, You Know My Name, Tampa, FL, USA, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Fort Myers, FL, ...
MoviesSingles

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Raw edged vocals
2Goatee

Quotes

#Quote
1I'm not a lyric writer to make statements. What I enjoy doing is making paintings with lyrics, creating colorful images. I think that's more what entertainment and music should be.

Facts

#Fact
1Wife Vicky gave birth to their second and his third child, Christopher Nicholas. It's the first son. [December 2005]
2Left Audioslave, citing "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences" as the reason. [February 2007]
3New wife Vicky gave birth to his second daughter named Toni on the 18th of September. [September 2004]
4Will be one of the artists with Audioslave in this year's revival of Lollapalooza, started by Perry Ferrell of Jane's Addiction, a touring festival of music and other exhibits. [July 2003]
5Left Audioslave in 2007 due to growing differences between himself and the other band members. The other members of the band went on to reestablish Rage Against the Machine with their former vocalist Zack De La Rocha, while Cornell went back to his solo career.
6First American male to perform the opening credits song for a James Bond film (You Know My Name, from Casino Royale (2006)).
7Dropped out of school at age fifteen.
8His father had Irish ancestry. His mother has English, Scottish, and Northern Irish ancestry. Chris's maternal grandfather, Ralph Trivett Cornell, was born in Rothesay, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Julian Trivett Cornell and Emily Keillor Emmerson. Chris's maternal grandmother, Marion M. MacNutt, who was born in Washington state, was the daughter of a Canadian-born father, James Frederick MacNutt, and a Wisconsin-born mother, Clarabell J. Hubbell.
9Lives in Los Angeles.
10Owns a rock-themed restaurant in Paris called "Black Calavados".
11Vicky gave birth to his second daughter named Toni on the 18th of September, 2004
12Sold over 5 million records with his band Soundgarden. Sold over 300,000 copies of his solo debut, Euphoria Morning, as well as earned a grammy nomination. In 2002 his new band Audioslave sold 2 million copies of their self titled debut.
13Is an avid reader who enjoys books on philosophy and eastern culture. Counts Sylvia Plath among his favourite authors.
14Wrote the track 'Wave Goodbye' about the death of his friend, musician Jeff Buckley.
15Enjoys snowboarding and mountain biking in his leisure.
16November 19th 2002: release of Audioslave's debut album.
17Used to be a cook.
18Wrote "Jesus Christ Pose" as a parody of Jane's Addiction singer / Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell.
19Lead vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the alt rock band Soundgarden (was originally the drummer before Matt Cameron joined and Cornell switched to vocals).
20Daughter Lilian Jean (b. 28 June 2000) (7 lbs 12 oz).

Pictures

Movies

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock2010Video Game writer: "Black Rain"
20 to 1TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2010 writer - 1 episode, 2010
WWE Raw2010TV Series writer - 3 episodes
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
Rage2003-2009TV Series writer - 2 episodes
100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs2008TV Movie writer: "Black Hole Sun"
One Tree HillTV Series performer - 3 episodes, 2008 writer - 1 episode, 2008
Life on MarsTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2008 writer - 1 episode, 2008
Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore2008Video Game lyrics: "Black Hole Sun" / music: "Black Hole Sun"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2008TV Series writer - 1 episode
World in Conflict2007Video Game writer: "Shadow on the Sun"
SingStar Amped2007Video Game lyrics: "Cochise"
Ha-Shminiya2007TV Series writer - 1 episode
Rock Band2007Video Game writer: "Black Hole Sun"
Scrubs2006TV Series lyrics - 1 episode
Casino Royale2006lyrics: "You Know my Name" / performer: "You Know my Name"
Becoming Bond2006TV Movie documentary performer: "You Know My Name" / producer: "You Know My Name" / writer: "You Know My Name"
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby2006writer: "Cochise" 2002
Miami Vice2006writer: "Shape of Things to Come", "Wide Awake"
Bug2006performer: "Disappearing Act" 2006 / writer: "Disappearing Act" 2006
Guitar Hero2005Video Game writer: "Cochise"
Audioslave: Live in Cuba2005Video documentary lyrics: "Set It Off", "Your Time has Come", "Like a Stone", "The Worm", "Gasoline", "Doesn't Remind Me", "Be Yourself", "Out of Exile", "I am the Highway", "Show Me How to Live", "Cochise" / writer: "Outshined"
The Work of Director Mark Romanek2005Video documentary lyrics: "Cochise"
Idol2002-2005TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas2004Video Game writer: "Rusty Cage"
Collateral2004writer: "Shadow On The Sun" - as Christopher Cornell
Riding Giants2004Documentary writer: "My Wave"
Roswell2000TV Series performer - 1 episode
Blast from the Past1999writer: "Drawing Flies"
Great Expectations1998performer: "Sunshower" / producer: "Sunshower" / writer: "Sunshower"
Hype!1996Documentary writer: "Nothing to Say" - as Christopher J. Cornell / writer: "Searching With My Good Eye Closed"
The Basketball Diaries1995writer: "Blind Dogs" - as Christopher J. Cornell
Beavis and Butt-Head1993-1994TV Series writer - 2 episodes
S.F.W.1994performer: "Like Suicide" Acoustic Version / writer: "Jesus Christ Pose", "Like Suicide" Acoustic Version
Top of the Pops1994TV Series writer - 1 episode
Soundgarden: Black Hole Sun1994Short writer: "Black Hole Sun"
True Romance1993writer: "Outshined"
Benny & Joon1993writer: "PUSHIN' FORWARD BACK" - as Christopher J. Cornell
Soundgarden: Motorvision1992Video lyrics: "Little Joe", "Jesus Christ Pose", "Slaves & Bulldozers" / music: "Jesus Christ Pose", "Slaves & Bulldozers" / writer: "Searching with My Good Eye Closed", "Rusty Cage", "Outshined", "Mind Riot"
Singles1992performer: "Seasons" / performer: "Spoonman demo version" - as Christopher J. Cornell / producer: "Seasons" / producer: "Spoonman demo version" - as Christopher J. Cornell / writer: "Birth Ritual", "Spoonman demo version" - as Christopher J. Cornell / writer: "Seasons", "Spoonman"
Wayne's World1992"LOUD LOVE", "ALL NIGHT THING"
Pacific Heights1990writer: "HANDS ALL OVER" - as Christopher Cornell
Soundgarden: Louder Than Live1990Video lyrics: "Get on the Snake", "Hands All Over" / writer: "Gun", "Big Dumb Sex", "Loud Love"
Lost Angels1989writer: "Get on the Snake"
Say Anything...1989writer: "Toy Box", "Flower"
The Promise2016/IIwriter: "The Promise"
Vinyl2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
13 Hours2016performer: "'Til the Sun Comes Back Around" / writer: "'Til the Sun Comes Back Around"
Bones2015TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonTV Series writer - 2 episodes, 2014 - 2015 performer - 1 episode, 2015
Saturday Night LiveTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2015 writer - 1 episode, 1996
A Walk Among the Tombstones2014writer: "Black Hole Sun"
The Marty Stuart Show2014TV Series writer - 1 episode
Fino alla fine del mondo2013TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
One Hit Wonderland2013TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon2011-2013TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Guardian of the City2013Short writer: "Shadow on the Sun"
Danville 2nd Ward Young Men2013TV Series writer - 1 episode
Man of Steel2013performer: "Seasons" / writer: "Seasons"
Sound City2013Documentary writer: "Rusty Cage"
Late Show with David LettermanTV Series writer - 1 episode, 2012 performer - 1 episode, 2011
Supernatural2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
Sons of Anarchy2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Avengers2012writer: "Live to Rise"
The Tonight Show with Jay LenoTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012
Metal EvolutionTV Series documentary lyrics - 1 episode, 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2011
We Bought a Zoo2011writer: "Hunger Strike"
Machine Gun Preacher2011performer: "The Keeper" / writer: "The Keeper"
Conan2010TV Series lyrics - 1 episode
X Factor2010TV Series writer - 1 episode

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Chris Cornell: Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart2015Video short
Howard Stern on Demand2011TV Series
Soundgarden: Black Hole Sun1994ShortChris Cornell
Singles1992Chris

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Singles1992composer: additional music

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins Tale2016Documentary
Jimmy Kimmel Live!2007-2015TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Musical Guest
Good Morning America2015TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show2015TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2015TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records2015DocumentaryHimself
Late Show with David Letterman1999-2013TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest / Himself
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon2011-2013TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Ali 70 from Las Vegas2012TV MovieHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno2000-2012TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Musical Guest
Tavis Smiley2011TV SeriesHimself
Pearl Jam Twenty2011DocumentaryHimself
The Jay Leno Show2009TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien2009TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Last Call with Carson Daly2009TV SeriesHimself
Zulu Awards '092009TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts2008TV SpecialHimself
Fashion Rocks2008TV MovieHimself
Howard Stern on Demand2007TV SeriesHimself
Walmart Soundcheck2007TV SeriesHimself
Live Earth2007TV Special documentaryHimself
Guys Choice2007TV MovieHimself
The Henry Rollins Show2007TV SeriesHimself
Chris Cornell: Live from the Fenix Underground2007VideoHimself
Audioslave: Live in Cuba2005Video documentaryHimself - Vocals / Guitar (as Audioslave)
Audioslave: Live@Much2005TV MovieHimself (as Audioslave)
React Now: Music & Relief2005TV MovieHimself
Musikprogrammet - programmet om musik2005TV Series documentaryHimself - Audioslave
Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story2005DocumentaryHimself
Rage1994-2003TV SeriesHimself / Themselves
Audioslave2003Video shortHimself
100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock2000TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself - Member, Soundgarden
Behind the Music2000TV Series documentaryHimself
Showbiz Today1999TV SeriesHimself
Power Vision - Pop Galerie1997-1999TV Series documentaryHimself
Making the Video1999TV Series documentaryHimself
Biography1998TV Series documentaryHimself
We're Outta Here!1997Video documentaryHimself
Hype!1996DocumentaryHimself - Soundgarden
Jam1996TV Series documentaryHimself
Soundgarden: Motorvision1992VideoHimself (Vocals & Guitars)
Temple of the Dog: Hunger Strike1992Video shortHimself
Soundgarden: Louder Than Live1990VideoHimself (Vocals)

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Nation's Favourite Bond Song2015TV Movie documentaryHimself
Video on Trial2005-2006TV SeriesHimself - Audioslave / Himself / Himself - Accused
The Work of Director Mark Romanek2005Video documentaryHimself - Audioslave (uncredited)
Rage2002-2005TV SeriesThemselves

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2007ASCAP AwardASCAP Film and Television Music AwardsTop Box Office FilmsCasino Royale (2006)
2007World Soundtrack AwardWorld Soundtrack AwardsBest Original Song Written for FilmCasino Royale (2006)
2006Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Original SongCasino Royale (2006)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2012Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Original Song - Motion PictureMachine Gun Preacher (2011)
2008GrammyGrammy AwardsBest Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaCasino Royale (2006)
2007Gold Derby AwardGold Derby AwardsOriginal SongCasino Royale (2006)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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