What Was Joan Crawford's Net Worth?
Joan Crawford, an iconic American actress, had a net worth of $2 million at her death in 1977, equivalent to about $10 million today. Best known for her work during Hollywood's silent film and golden eras, Crawford starred in classics like 'Mildred Pierce' and 'The Damned Don't Cry'. She won the 1946 Academy Award for Best Actress for 'Mildred Pierce'. At the height of her career, Crawford was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. She is also famed for her lifelong feud with fellow actress Bette Davis. This rivalry was dramatized in the 2017 FX series 'Feud: Bette and Joan,' which featured Susan Sarandon as Davis and Jessica Lange as Crawford.
Early Life
Born Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1904, in San Antonio, Texas, Crawford had Irish, Swedish, French, and Dutch ancestry. Her parents separated shortly after her birth, and her older sister had died before she was born. She had an older brother, Hal Hays LeSueur, who became an Oscar-winning actor. Raised in Lawton, Oklahoma, where her stepfather managed the Ramsey Opera House, Crawford's fascination with performing began at an early age. She had a turbulent childhood, including a severe injury from jumping out of a classroom window to escape piano lessons. This incident required multiple surgeries and inspired a poem by Hawaiian poet Don Blanding.
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In 1917, her stepfather was charged and later acquitted of embezzlement, prompting the family's move to Kansas City, Missouri. Crawford attended a private Catholic school as a working student but struggled academically, eventually dropping out of college as the coursework was too advanced for her.
Career Highlights
Crawford's career began in 1924 with a $75-per-week contract from MGM, though she initially landed only small and uncredited roles. Pete Smith, MGM's head of publicity, disliked her last name LeSueur, considering it too similar to 'sewer', and initiated a poll in 'Movie Weekly' to find a new name. 'Joan Arden' was the winner, but it was already taken, so 'Joan Crawford' was chosen. Despite early frustrations with small roles, Crawford's ambition led to larger parts, and she honed her dance skills by performing in local competitions. Her breakout role came in the 1925 silent film 'Sally, Irene, and Mary'.
During the 1920s, Crawford epitomized the flapper persona, embodying sophisticated glamour. In the 1930s, MGM cast her in more refined roles, and she starred in the Oscar-winning 'Grand Hotel' in 1932. She collaborated with Clark Gable on three romantic dramas between 1934 and 1936, becoming one of MGM's biggest stars. However, by the late 1930s, her popularity waned, and a controversial article titled 'Box Office Poison' criticized actors like Greta Garbo, Mae West, and Crawford, suggesting they be released from their contracts.
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In 1943, Crawford signed a $500,000, three-film deal with Warner Bros. Her first film, 'Hollywood Canteen', earned three Oscar nominations. Her 1945 film 'Mildred Pierce' revitalized her career, winning her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Despite initial opposition, she proved her worth. She continued making successful films for Warner Bros. but left in 1952 over dissatisfaction with the roles offered. Crawford’s 1953 film 'Sudden Fear' earned her another Academy Award nomination, though the rest of her career remained stable but unremarkable. Her final significant role was in 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' in 1962, earning her a BAFTA nomination.
Personal Life
Crawford was married four times, each marriage lasting four years. She adopted a daughter in 1940, a son during her marriage to Phillip Terry in 1943, and twin daughters in 1947. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Joan Crawford passed away from a heart attack on May 10, 1977. Notoriously, she disinherited her children Christina and Christopher, citing 'reasons which are well-known to them,' leading them to sue the estate and eventually receive $55,000.
