What was Jack Benny's Net Worth and Salary?
Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, and violinist who had a net worth of $5.8 million at the time of his death in 1974. When adjusting for inflation, this amount is equivalent to approximately $35 million today.
A year after his death, court documents revealed that Jack Benny's estate was valued at $5,852,000 in 1974, translating to about $35 million today. His possessions included a precious 1729 Stradivarius violin, valued at $46,000 at that time, making it one of the roughly 500 Stradivarius violins left in the world. Additionally, he owned a luxurious mansion in Los Angeles's exclusive Holmby Hills neighborhood, right across from the Playboy Mansion. This property was sold for $3 million in 1985, two years after the death of his widow, Mary Livingston.
Jack Benny transitioned from a modest start as a violinist on the vaudeville circuit to becoming one of the most celebrated entertainers of the twentieth century, with a prosperous career in radio, television, and film. His radio and television shows enjoyed immense popularity from 1932 until his death in 1974.
Benny was renowned for his impeccable comic timing and his signature phrase, "Well!" He made his film debut in 1929 with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and also worked with Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers, and Columbia Pictures. From 1950 to 1965, he starred in his own TV series, "The Jack Benny Program." Benny's stellar work earned him a Golden Globe Award in 1958 for Television Achievement, two Primetime Emmy Awards for "The Jack Benny Program," and three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture, Television, and Radio. Benny passed away on December 26, 1974, at the age of 80.
Early Life
Jack Benny was born on February 14, 1894, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Waukegan. He was the son of Meyer Kubelsky and Naomi Emma Sachs Kubelsky, Jewish immigrants from Poland and Lithuania, respectively. His father initially ran a saloon before operating a haberdashery. At the tender age of six, Benny began learning the violin, which later became his trademark. By the age of 14, he was performing in dance bands and his high school orchestra. However, his academic performance was poor, leading to his expulsion from high school. He also struggled in business school and in assisting his father's business. In 1911, Benny began performing as a violinist in local vaudeville theaters for a modest income.
Career
Benny initially formed a vaudeville musical duo with pianist Cora Folsom Salisbury. In 1917, he briefly left show business to serve in the United States Navy during World War I, where he entertained fellow sailors with his violin. After the war, Benny crafted a one-man act combining fiddle playing and comedy.
In 1929, Benny signed a five-year contract with MGM, debuting in "The Hollywood Revue of 1929." After his second film, "Chasing Rainbows," failed to perform well, Benny was released from his contract and shifted his focus to radio. His radio show, "The Jack Benny Program," which aired from 1932 to 1955, became one of the most highly-rated programs of its time.
In 1949, Benny made his TV debut on Los Angeles station KTTV and subsequently transitioned his radio show, "The Jack Benny Program," to television. The TV show aired from 1950 until 1965, featuring more guest stars compared to his radio show.
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Meanwhile, Benny had a successful film career, appearing in movies such as "The Hollywood Revue of 1929," "Broadway Melody of 1936," "George Washington Slept Here," "Charley's Aunt," and "To Be or Not to Be." Even after his broadcasting career ended, Benny continued to perform live as a violinist and stand-up comedian. In the 1960s, he was the headlining act at Harrah's Lake Tahoe. One of his final television appearances was in January 1974 on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." He also appeared on "The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" in his final 18 months, roasting Ronald Reagan, Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, and Lucille Ball.
Benny received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1960, he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with three stars for television, motion pictures, and radio. In 1972, he was honored with the Order of Lincoln by the governor of Illinois for his contributions to the performing arts. He was later inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1988, the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1989, and the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
Personal Life and Death
Benny had various romantic involvements, including a serious relationship with dancer Mary Kelly. He proposed to her, but her Catholic family opposed the union due to his Jewish heritage. In 1922, Benny met Sadie Marks at a Passover Seder and later rekindled their acquaintance in 1926. They married in 1927, and she adopted the stage name Mary Livingstone, eventually becoming part of Benny's routine. The couple adopted a daughter named Joan.
In October 1974, Benny canceled a performance in Dallas due to a dizzy spell and numbness in his arms. Though initial tests revealed no clear issue, further investigation diagnosed inoperable pancreatic cancer. Benny fell into a coma on December 22, 1974, and was visited by close friends like George Burns, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, John Rowles, and Ronald Reagan. He passed away on December 26, 1974, at the age of 80, and was interred at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Jack Benny's family donated his personal, professional, and business papers, along with a collection of his television shows, to UCLA. The university established the Jack Benny Award for Comedy in his honor in 1977, with Johnny Carson being the first recipient. Benny also donated a Stradivarius violin to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
