Dee Snider is an American-born rock musician, screenwriter, media personality, voice artist, and actor. He rose to fame in the 80s as the frontman of the heavy metal band ‘Twisted Sister’.
Snider later formed his own heavy metal band ‘Widowmaker’ in 1992 before reuniting with his Twisted Sister bandmates. In addition to his music career, Dee Snider has also prospered as a radio/TV host with numerous shows to his name.
Early Life and Rise To Fame
Daniel “Dee” Snider was born on March 15, 1955, to Marguerite and Bob Snider in Massapequa, Long Island, New York. While his father worked as a New York State Trooper and later as a court clerk, his mother worked as a school teacher.
Dee Snider had his high school education at Baldwin Senior High located in Baldwin, New York and he graduated in 1973. As a child, he was a member of his church choir as well as the Baldwin High School Choir.
Dee Snider became a member of Twisted Sister in 1976 and afterward, he became the group’s exclusive songwriter. The group’s debut album Under the Blade (1982) helped them build a strong following in the United Kingdom. This was quickly followed by a second album You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983) and a third album Stay Hungry (1984). Stay Hungry proved to be very successful as it launched the group onto the international scene. On his part, Snider took on a peculiar persona to go with his new-found fame; a metal-inspired drag, long blonde curly hair and wearing exaggerated makeup while performing on stage.
In June 1985, he served as the host of the heavy metal music program Heavy Metal Mania. Twisted Sister went on to release their 4th album Come Out and Play in November 1985. This was followed by the group’s 5th studio effort Love Is for Suckers released in August 1987. On October 12, 1987, Dee Snider announced that he was leaving the group. The talented musician went on to form another metal band group, Desperado alongside drummer Clive Burr, guitarist Bernie Torme, and bassist Marc Russel. The group’s first and only album Ace did not see the light of day.
Undaunted, Snider formed another heavy metal group ‘Widowmaker’ alongside drummer Joe Franco, guitarist Al Pitrelli, and bassist Marc Russel. Between 1992 and 1994, the group released 2 studio albums; Blood and Bullets and Stand By For Pain. Dee Snider took a long hiatus from music in the late 90s. He became the host of the syndicated heavy metal/rock radio show The House of Hair with Dee Snider in 1997. The following year, the multitalented singer featured in the horror film Strangeland also doubling as the screenwriter and co-producer.
In 2002, he announced that he was reuniting with Twister Sister. He also participated in the 2003 governorship campaign of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. A handful of years later, (2008) Snider competed in the celebrity reality TV show Gone Country. He also lent his voice to the character Angry Jack on an episode of the iconic animated series SpongeBob SquarePants (2009). Snider featured as a contestant on the 12th season of the reality game show The Apprentice and he was fired in the 8th task.
In 2016, Dee Snider’s Twisted Sister marked their 40th anniversary with a farewell tour and in November that year, the musician announced that he was finally calling it quits with the band to focus on his solo career.
His Family – Dee Snider Wife (Suzette Snider) and Daughter
Dee Snider is married to costume designer Suzette Snider. The duo got married on October 21, 1981, and have remained together ever since. They have four children together; sons Jesse Blaze Snider (born 1982), Shane Royal Snider (born 1988), Cody Blue Snider (born 1989), and daughter Cheyenne Jean Snider (born 1996) who is a former member of the music band ‘They All Float’.
The Snider’s first son Jesse Snider is also a rock musician, actor, and TV/radio host. Way back in 2003, he served as the host of MTV’s music program MTV2 Rock. In 2006, he formed the rock band ‘Baptized By Fire’. Jesse also participated in the MTV reality singing competition Rock the Cradle in 2008.
In 2005, Dee Snider and his family were filmed in their Long Island home for the MTV documentary show MTV Cribs. Half a decade later, they also appeared in their own reality TV show Growing Up Twisted. However, the show was short-lived as it did not last beyond its first season. In January 2012, Dee Snider was featured in the reality show Celebrity Wife Swap alongside his wife Suzette.
Net Worth – How Rich Is He?
Financial benefits are definitely some of the major perks of being multitalented and Dee Snider has been enjoying this. Since shooting into the spotlight with ‘Twisted Sister’ in the late 80s, Snider has managed to remain consistent in the showbiz scene.
In addition to his successful music career, the entertainer has also prospered as a radio/TV host and he is indeed a bonafide media personality. Thanks to his long-running showbiz career, Dee Snider has a net worth of $10 million and counting.
Height and Body Measurements
The man stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm). In his hay days as frontman of ‘Twisted Sister’, Snider maintained an enviable physique which he was always eager to flaunt on stage.
He may no longer have the abs to flaunt on stage but he has maintained his body in great shape over the years. Dee Snider has maintained his weight at an average of 73 kg (161 lbs).
