What is Pat Boone's Net Worth?
Pat Boone is a prominent singer, composer, actor, author, and television personality who boasts a net worth of $50 million. Making his mark in the 50s and early 60s, Pat Boone became one of the era's top recording artists. He gained further acclaim as the host of the ABC variety television series The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom and starred in various Hollywood films. Transitioning into the 70s, Boone began to focus more on Christian values and gospel music, subsequently becoming a conservative political commentator. Over his expansive music career, Boone sold over 45 million albums and achieved 38 Top 40 hits. He also established Lion & Lamb Records in the early 1970s.
Early Life and Education
Born on June 1, 1934, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Archie and Margaret Boone, Pat has a younger brother Cecil, who also become a pop singer. At the age of two, Pat's family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he would grow up. He completed his high school education at David Lipscomb High School in 1952. Boone furthered his education at David Lipscomb College, Lipscomb University, and North Texas State University, ultimately graduating magna cum laude from Columbia University in 1958.
Career Breakthroughs
Boone's music career took off in Centennial Park, Nashville. He began recording in 1953, achieving his first hit in 1955 with a cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't That a Shame." Boone continued to gain success with his covers of popular songs by black artists, including "Tra La La-a," "Two Hearts Two Kisses," "I Almost Lost My Mind," "Tutti Frutti," "Long Tall Sally," and "Don't Forbid Me."
Notable Albums
In 1956, Boone released his first two albums: "Pat Boone"—a compilation of previously released singles—and "Howdy!," his official debut. The following year, he released five albums, including "A Closer Walk with Thee" and "Four by Pat," the latter reaching number five on the Billboard charts. In 1958, Boone's album "Stardust" peaked at number two, his highest-charting album. Other successful albums include "Yes Indeed!," "Tenderly," "Moonglow," and "Moody River."
During the 60s, Boone shifted his musical focus to gospel, releasing albums such as "My God and I," "The Lord's Prayer and Other Great Hymns," and "Blest Be Thy Name." Over the decades, he continued to release both studio and compilation albums, primarily with Christian themes. Notably, in 1997, Boone released "In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy," featuring big band-style covers of hard rock and metal songs. Despite mixed reactions from his older fans, it became his most commercially successful album in over 30 years.
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Television Career
Boone made a significant impact on television in the late 50s, beginning as a regular guest on the ABC program Ozark Jubilee, hosted by his father-in-law. His wholesome television persona earned him a long-term endorsement deal with General Motors. Boone also frequently appeared on the CBS variety show Arthur Godfrey and His Friends. At just 23, he began hosting his own variety show, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, which aired on ABC from 1957 to 1960 and featured artists such as Pearl Bailey, Johnny Mathis, and Edie Adams. Boone also hosted the documentary Salute to the Teenagers.
Film Career
Boone debuted in film as the star of the 1957 musical Bernardine. That same year, he achieved greater commercial success with the musical April Love, a remake of the 1944 film Home in Indiana. Co-starring Shirley Jones, the film featured an Academy Award-nominated song performed by Boone. He then starred in Mardi Gras and in 1959, had one of his biggest commercial hits with Journey to the Center of the Earth, based on Jules Verne's novel.
Boone's subsequent filmography includes All Hands on Deck, State Fair, The Main Attraction, The Horror of it All, The Yellow Canary, Never Put it in Writing, and Goodbye Charlie. In the late 60s, he starred in The Perils of Pauline and had his last leading role for some time in 1970, co-starring with Erik Estrada in The Cross and the Switchblade. Boone returned to acting in 2016 with the Christian drama God's Not Dead 2 and appeared in A Cowgirl's Story the following year.
Author
Boone's success as an author began with his 1958 bestseller 'Twixt Twelve and Twenty: Pat Talks to Teenagers. Over six decades, he published numerous books, predominantly focused on Christianity, including titles like A Miracle Saved My Family, Joy!, Pray to Win, Jesus is Alive, and Pat Boone Devotional Book.
Religion
Raised in the Church of Christ, Boone is deeply religious. In 1964, he advocated for mandatory prayer in schools at a conservative rally in Los Angeles and in the early 70s, hosted Bible studies for various celebrities.
Personal Life
At 19, Boone married Shirley Lee Foley, daughter of country music star Red Foley and singer Judy Martin, in 1953. The couple had four daughters: Cheryl, Linda, Deborah, and Laura. Shirley Lee Foley passed away in 2019 at the age of 84.
