What is Nigel Lythgoe’s Net Worth?
Nigel Lythgoe OBE is a renowned English TV and film director, producer, choreographer, and former dancer who has amassed a net worth of $150 million.
Lythgoe began his career as a dancer on BBC’s The Young Generation dance ensemble in England before transitioning into choreography. He has worked with influential stars such as Ben Vereen and the Muppets.
After a decade, Lythgoe became a successful producer, known for his work on productions such as “You Bet!” (1989), Fox’s “American Idol” (2002), “Popstars” (2000), “So You Think You Can Dance” (2005), “The Next Great American Band” (2007), and “Superstars of Dance” (2009).
He is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of reality TV in the early 21st century and has served as a judge on the U.S. and U.K. versions of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Lythgoe’s contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized in 2015 when he was named an Order of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.
Nigel Lythgoe’s Early Life and Career
Nigel Lythgoe was born in Wallasey, Cheshire, England in 1949. He showed an interest in dance at the age of 10 and attended the Hylton-Bromley School of Dance and Drama and the Perry Cowell School of Dance. He began his professional dance career with The Corps de Ballet and later joined The Young Generation where he became the troupe’s choreographer. He worked alongside his future producing partner Ken Warwick during his time with The Young Generation.
Nigel Lythgoe’s Career in Television
Nigel Lythgoe is a renowned choreographer, producer, and director who began his career in television in the 1970s. His ability to film choreography using multi-camera techniques led to numerous opportunities, such as performing with Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse on several television shows, including “The Rolf Harris Show,” “It’s Lulu,” and “Vera Lynn.”
Lythgoe’s career as a producer began in the early 1980s, with television films and series such as “Bud ‘n’ Ches” and “Mates and Music.” He went on to produce several other shows, including “Bob’s Your Uncle,” “Gladiators: The Ashes,” and “The Big Big Talent Show.” By 1995, he had been named Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television.
In 2000, Lythgoe gained notoriety as a judge on “Popstars,” earning him the nickname “Nasty Nigel.” The following year, he directed and produced the U.K. version of “Survivor” for Bob Geldof’s production company. Lythgoe then became President of 19 Television and developed and produced the singing competition show “Pop Idol,” which launched the careers of numerous stars, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson.
In 2002, Nigel relocated to the United States to produce “American Idol” and co-create “So You Think You Can Dance.” He left “American Idol” in 2008 to form the Big Red 2 Entertainment production company with Simon Fuller and returned to produce the show’s tenth season in 2010. In recent years, he has produced several television series, including “Dance School Diaries,” “Easiest Game Show Ever,” and “Every Single Step,” and appeared in several documentaries, including “Eyes of Faith,” “Cilla: The Lost Tapes,” and “Move.”
Nigel Lythgoe’s Personal Life and Philanthropy
Nigel Lythgoe married Bonita Shawe in 1974, and they had two sons before divorcing in 2010. Lythgoe has reportedly had relationships with Raquel Welch and Priscilla Presley.
Lythgoe had a heart attack in January 2003 and nearly died from a burst appendix later that year. He is passionate about the arts and co-founded the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a charitable organization that aims to improve access to dance education in America. Lythgoe also launched National Dance Day in 2010 with congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.
The couple has four grandchildren.
Accolades and Awards
Nigel Lythgoe has received 12 Primetime Emmy nominations for producing “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” He has also been nominated for five PGA Awards. Additionally, he has been honored with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Governors Award, the International Emmy: Founders Award, and the Ellis Island International Medal of Honor. The University of Bedfordshire presented him with an honorary Doctor of Arts in 2009.
Nigel Lythgoe’s Real Estate Ventures
In 2005, Nigel Lythgoe purchased a 7,085 square foot mansion in Las Vegas for $7 million. He later put it on the market for $3.95 million in 2012 and then re-listed it for $5 million in 2019.
Additionally, Lythgoe owns a 5,205 square foot estate in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles which he listed for $13 million in March 2020. He had purchased the property nearly a decade prior for $7.5 million.
Villa San-Juliette Vineyard and Winery
Nigel Lythgoe, co-owner of Villa San-Juliette Vineyard and Winery, purchased the 160-acre property in Paso Robles, California, with fellow “American Idol” producer Ken Warwick in 2005 for $5.2 million. The property includes roughly 130 acres used for growing grapes, producing an estimated 50,000 cases of wine per year. After building a sprawling multi-structure compound on the property, Ken and Nigel put Villa San-Juliette on the market in August 2022 for $22 million.
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