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Television host Mike Rowe has done plenty of unique things during his life, but he’s best known for his stint hosting the longtime Discovery Channel series Dirty Jobs. The popular reality show took viewers on a tour of some of the most dangerous, disgusting, and underappreciated work being done in America. Rowe was on hand to highlight these essential workers and tell their stories.

The series was canceled in 2012, but a reboot just premiered in 2020. And even though Dirty Jobs is done for now, the 58-year-old host isn’t exactly sitting around being bored.

Here’s what Rowe has been up to lately and how much money he amassed over his career.

Mike Rowe learned how to use his voice

Mike Rowe
Mike Rowe | Tom Williams/Roll Call via Getty Images

It may surprise fans to learn that Rowe is a trained opera singer with a true talent for using his voice — literally. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland to two teacher parents and has said he dedicated his work on Dirty Jobs to his father and grandfather. The host is also a proud Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.

Rowe began his professional career as a show host for programs including On-Air TV for American Airlines, No Relation for FX, New York Expeditions for PBS, and Your New Home for WJZ-TV in Baltimore for 15 years. He also spent time as a host on the home shopping network QVC, Affair Post reported.

His vocal talents led to many narration jobs as well, from Discovery Channel’s Shark Week to other specials such as How the Universe Works, and Syfy channel’s Ghost Hunters. He was offered the hosting job on the hit series Deadliest Catch but decided to narrate on the program instead.

He made millions with ‘Dirty Jobs’ and other similar work

All of his smaller roles gained Rowe notoriety in the industry for his communication skills. His hosting job on the segment “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” on KPIX-TV in San Diego eventually led to Rowe becoming the face of Dirty Jobs, his most lucrative decision to date.

CelebrityNetWorth.com reports that Rowe has amassed a net worth of $30 million. Even though Dirty Jobs got canceled in 2012, it was picked up under the name Someone’s Gotta Do It on CNN in 2014. The new show lasted three seasons before moving to TBN in 2018.

Mike Rowe believes in the power of hard work

Since the end of his popular series, Rowe has been involved in multiple other projects, including television commercial work. He’s an outspoken advocate for trade and vocational-technical schools. His website, mikeroweWORKS.org, focuses on getting people interested in pursuing trade jobs.

Rowe currently resides in San Francisco. He keeps his love life private and has never married, though he was romantically linked to actor Danielle Burgo. Oddly, there are multiple rumors about Rowe’s death, to which he quoted Mark Twain and said: “Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Rowe’s new series Dirty Jobs Rowe’d Trip premiered in July 2020.

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