Gary Dell’Abate Net Worth: Salary, Career, and Personal Life

Gary Dell’Abate, also famously known as “Baba Booey”, is an American radio producer with an estimated net worth of $14 million. He is best known as the longtime executive producer of “The Howard Stern Show”, a role he has held since 1984. Over the decades, Dell’Abate has become a pop culture icon, known as much for his quick wit and loyalty to the show as for his nickname, which has become a staple in radio and sports fandom.

His career spans radio production, authorship, and philanthropy, and he earns an annual salary of approximately $4 million from his work on the Stern show.

Gary Dell’Abate Net Worth: $14 Million
Date of Birth: March 14, 1961
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City
Nationality: American
Profession: Radio Producer

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Early Life

Gary Leo Dell’Abate was born on March 14, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised in an Italian-American household in Uniondale, New York. He grew up with a passion for media and entertainment, which eventually led him to pursue higher education at Adelphi University, where he received the Richard F. Clemo Award for academic excellence.

During his early years, Dell’Abate interned at several local radio stations, gaining experience that would later help launch his professional career.

Career

Joining “The Howard Stern Show”

Dell’Abate’s career breakthrough came when he met Howard Stern while working at WNBC. He accepted a role on Stern’s show for a modest salary of $150 per week, initially performing tasks such as fetching lunch and scheduling guests. Stern originally called him “Boy Gary”, but Dell’Abate gradually became more involved on-air and behind the scenes, eventually earning his now-famous nickname “Baba Booey.”

The nickname originated during a discussion about purchasing a Quick Draw McGraw animation cel. Dell’Abate mispronounced McGraw’s sidekick as “Baba Booey” instead of “Baba Looey,” sparking endless jokes from the show’s cast. He embraced the moniker, even titling his 2010 autobiography “They Call Me Baba Booey.” Today, the phrase is a staple of pop culture, frequently shouted by fans at sporting events or prank callers on the radio.

Authorship

In 2010, Dell’Abate released his autobiography “They Call Me Baba Booey”, which debuted at #6 on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book chronicles his rise from intern to executive producer, as well as personal challenges such as his mother’s struggle with depression and his brother’s passing from AIDS.

Philanthropy

Following the death of his brother, Gary became deeply involved in charitable work. He supports LIFEbeat: The Music Industry Fights AIDS, serving as the organization’s president. The charity focuses on promoting sexual safety and providing assistance to individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Personal Life

In 1992, Gary Dell’Abate married Mary Dell’Abate, and the couple has two children together. Known for his grounded and private nature, he balances his high-profile radio career with family life.

Real Estate

In 2007, Dell’Abate purchased a one-acre property in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, where he built a 7,000-square-foot mansion featuring five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. In August 2021, he sold this home for $3.15 million.