Table of Contents
Thomas Lee is best known as the co-founder and drummer of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, as well as the founder of rap metal band Methods of Mayhem.
He has also pursued solo musical projects and starred in various reality TV shows, including Tommy Lee Goes to College and Battleground Earth.
Lee has been married four times, including to actress Heather Locklear and model Bobbie Brown, and has two sons with Pamela Anderson.
| Net worth | $70 million |
| Profession | Musician, drummer |
| Date of birth | October 3, 1962 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Lee, born Thomas Lee Bass, was born on October 3, 1962, in Athens, Greece, to David Oliver Bass, a US Army serviceman of Welsh descent and Vassiliki Papadimitriou, a 1957 Miss Greece contestant.
His family moved to West Covina, California one year after his birth.
Lee’s father was a US Army serviceman, and his mother was a beauty pageant contestant, which exposed him to diverse cultural influences from an early age.
His parents were supportive of his musical pursuits, and he received his first drum when he was four and his first drum kit when he was a teenager.
Lee has one younger sister, Athena Lee, who is also a musician.
Net worth
Lee has a net worth of $70 million.
His wealth comes from a combination of music, musical instrument endorsements, and deals for films, books and other endeavors.
Lee has earned his fortune through his successful career in music, including his work with Mötley Crüe, Methods of Mayhem and his solo projects.
He has also made money from his appearances in reality TV shows, films and his autobiography, Tommyland.
Despite facing financial troubles in the past, such as the theft and distribution of his honeymoon s*xtape with Pamela Anderson, Lee has managed to build a substantial net worth through his various ventures.
Real estate
Lee has owned a hillside mansion in Calabasas, California, which he sold in 2023 for $3.6 million, marking a loss of more than $2 million from the original purchase price of $5.85 million in 2007.
The mansion spans nearly 10,000 square feet with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, featuring a massive recording studio, a double-height central courtyard with a koi pond and a backyard with a pool terrace and spa.
Lee has attempted to sell the property for years, listing it for nearly $6 million in 2016 and removing and re-listing it numerous times since.
The property also includes a garage for four vehicles, a wine-tasting area, and a home theater with a concession bar.
Car collection
Lee has a luxurious car collection that includes five Rolls-Royces valued at $1.58 million, a custom Chevy Impala worth $40,000 and several Ferraris.
He has three Rolls-Royce Ghosts and two Rolls-Royce Wraiths, with the Rolls-Royce Wraith being his favorite car.
Lee is also a fan of Ferraris and has a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Ferrari F8 Tributo and a vintage Ferrari Testarossa.
He also owns an Audi R8, Mercedes-Maybach, and a 1968 Chevy Impala, which he customized with white leather seats, an improved sound system and a new performance engine.
Career
Lee’s music career began with his passion for music, which led him to drop out of high school and pursue his musical aspirations.
He started with the band Suite 19 before joining Mötley Crüe in 1981, becoming the drummer and co-founder of the band.
Mötley Crüe achieved massive popularity with albums like Shout at the Devil and Dr. Feelgood, solidifying their status as one of the most iconic bands in the glam metal genre.
In addition to Mötley Crüe, Lee founded the rap metal band Methods of Mayhem, showcasing his versatility and experimentation with different musical styles.
The band released albums like Methods of Mayhem and A Public Disservice Announcement.
Lee also pursued a solo career with albums like Never a Dull Moment, allowing him to explore different genres and express his unique musical vision outside of Mötley Crüe.
Owning Mötley Crüe’s music catalog
Lee has been involved in various business ventures, including purchasing Mötley Crüe’s music catalog, which secured control over royalties and the band’s music for the foreseeable future.
This strategic decision increased his net worth and allowed him to maintain control over the band’s artistic output.
Reality TV shows
Lee’s reality TV ventures began with MTV Cribs, where he showcased his luxurious home in 2002.
This was followed by The Surreal Life in 2004, where celebrities lived together in a house for a few weeks, interacting and participating in various activities.
In 2005, Tommy Lee Goes to College aired, featuring the musician’s experience of attending the University of Nebraska as a regular student.
He took courses, joined a fraternity, and even played in the school’s marching band.
Another reality show, Rock Star: Supernova, premiered in 2006, where aspiring singers competed to become the lead vocalist for a newly formed supergroup, Supernova, which included Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted and Gilby Clarke.
The show aimed to find a frontman for the band, which eventually released an album and went on tour.
Books
Lee has written a book called, Tommyland, that was published in 2005.
The book is a memoir that provides an insight into his life, including his experiences with the band, his marriages to actresses Pamela Anderson and Heather Locklear, and his legal issues.
The book has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising Lee’s honesty and humor, while others have criticized it for being self-indulgent and lacking substance.
Despite the mixed reviews, Tommyland remains a popular read among fans of Mötley Crüe and rock music in general.
Philanthropic efforts
Lee is known for supporting organizations that focus on environmental conservation, education and the arts.
Additionally, he has been a strong advocate for animal rights, working closely with organizations such as PETA to promote animal adoption and fight against animal exploitation.
Lee is also passionate about music education and has supported institutions like MusiCares Foundation and Harvard University, investing in the long-term growth of arts and education.
His philanthropic efforts extend beyond music and animal rights, as he has also provided relief to disaster-stricken areas and supported environmental initiatives.
Controversies
Recently, Lee sparked outrage by reposting a transphobic clip from the far-right news network OAN on his Instagram account, leading to backlash from social media users and celebrities.
Additionally, he has faced serious allegations of sexual assault stemming from a 2003 helicopter trip, where a woman accused him of substance abuse and assaulting her during the flight.
These allegations add to a history of legal troubles, including serving jail time for gun possession and a spousal abuse felony involving his ex-wife, Pamela Anderson.
Personal life
Lee has been married four times. His first wife was Elaine Starchuk, whom he married in 1984 and divorced a year later.
His second wife was actress Heather Locklear, whom he married in 1986 and divorced in 1993. He then married model Bobbie Brown, but they never had children together.
Lee’s most famous marriage was to actress and Playboy Playmate Pamela Anderson, with whom he has two sons, Brandon Thomas Lee (born June 5, 1996) and Dylan Jagger Lee (born December 29, 1997).
The couple divorced in 1998, but briefly reunited in 2001.
Lee was also engaged to dancer Mayte Garcia and Greek-German singer Sofia Toufa.
In 2019, he married social media celebrity Brittany Furlan.
