Burl Ives Net Worth

Burl Ives: A Deep Dive into the Life, Career, and Net Worth of the Beloved American Icon

Burl Ives was a multi-talented American entertainer whose career spanned decades and encompassed music, acting, and writing. He left an indelible mark on popular culture with his distinctive voice, memorable performances, and warm personality. This article explores the life and legacy of Burl Ives, from his early beginnings to his impressive net worth at the time of his passing.

Early Life and Education

Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives, known to the world as Burl Ives, was born on June 14, 1909, in Hunt City, Illinois. He was the son of Frank and Cordelia Ives, and grew up with six siblings: Artie, Argola, Norma, Audry, Clarence, and Lillburn. His father was initially a farmer who later became a contractor for the county. Ives’s journey into the world of entertainment began unexpectedly. One day, his uncle heard him singing with his mother in the garden and encouraged him to perform at an old soldiers’ reunion. His rendition of the folk song “Barbara Allen” captivated the audience, marking the beginning of his performing career.

Before his rise to fame, Ives attended Eastern Illinois State Teachers College from 1927 to 1929, where he played football. However, he realized his passion lay elsewhere and left before graduating, an act that led to a humorous incident where he slammed a door shut in protest of a professor’s remark, causing the window to shatter. Decades later, the college honored him by naming a building after him. Ives’s early life also included membership in the fraternal organization The Order of DeMolay, where he was inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame. He was also initiated into Scottish Rite Freemasonry in 1927, later achieving the highest degree and being elected Grand Cross. In 1933, he further honed his skills by enrolling at New York’s Juilliard School.

(Photo by Ernst Haas/Ernst Haas/Getty Images)

Career Highlights: Music, Stage, and Screen

Burl Ives’s career was incredibly diverse, marked by his distinctive baritone voice and a knack for storytelling. In the early 1930s, he traveled across the United States as a singer, gaining experience and building a following. He began appearing on Broadway in 1938, showcasing his talents in live theater. His own radio show, “The Wayfaring Stranger,” which took its name from one of his signature songs, debuted in 1940, further expanding his reach.

Ives served in the U.S. Army during World War II, drafted in 1942 and assigned to Camp Upton. He became part of the cast of Irving Berlin’s “This Is the Army” and was later transferred to the Army Air Forces. After being honorably discharged in September 1943, Ives returned to entertainment, making his film debut in 1946 with “Smoky.” His film career continued with roles in “Green Grass of Wyoming,” “Station West,” and “So Dear to My Heart” in 1948. These early roles helped to establish him as a versatile actor.

In music, Ives achieved significant success. His single “Lavender’s Blue (Dilly Dilly)” with Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers, reached number one in Australia. He had multiple top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “On Top Of Old Smoky” (with Percy Faith and His Orchestra), “A Little Bitty Tear” (with The Anita Kerr Singers and Owen Bradley’s Orchestra), “Funny Way of Laughin'” (with Owen Bradley’s Orchestra), and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” His rendition of “A Little Bitty Tear” also topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. His cover of “Lavender Blue” earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

In 1964, Ives narrated the holiday special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” His songs from the special, particularly “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” remained popular and continued to chart on the “Billboard” Holiday Songs chart into the 2020s, showcasing the enduring appeal of his music.

Acting Achievements and Awards

Burl Ives’s acting career was marked by a series of memorable roles in film and television. In the 1950s, he appeared in a diverse array of films, including “Sierra” (1950), “East of Eden” (1955), “The Power and the Prize” (1956), “A Face in the Crowd” (1957), “Desire Under the Elms” (1958), “Wind Across the Everglades” (1958), “Day of the Outlaw” (1959), and “Our Man in Havana” (1959).

One of the highlights of his acting career was his performance as Big Daddy Pollitt in the 1958 film “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” a role that showcased his dramatic skills. In the same year, he won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his performance as Rufus Hannassey in “The Big Country.”

Ives transitioned to television with equal success. From 1965 to 1966, he starred in the ABC sitcom “O.K. Crackerby!” and later starred as Walter Nicholls on NBC’s “The Bold Ones: The Lawyers” from 1969 to 1972. He continued to appear in films throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, including “Let No Man Write My Epitaph” (1960), “The Spiral Road” (1962), “Summer Magic” (1963), “The Brass Bottle” (1964), “Ensign Pulver” (1964), “Jules Verne’s Rocket to the Moon” (1967), “The McMasters” (1970), “The Heart Farm” (1973), “Baker’s Hawk” (1976), and “Just You and Me, Kid” (1979). He also narrated the 1968 docudrama “The Other Side of Bonnie and Clyde” and the 1975 animated movie “Hugo the Hippo.” From 1971 to 1972, Ives had a recurring role as Big Mac McCreedy on the ABC Western series “Alias Smith and Jones.” In the 1980s, he appeared in films such as “Earthbound” (1981), “White Dog” (1982), “Uphill All the Way” (1986), and “Two Moon Junction” (1988), further demonstrating his versatility.

Personal Life and Relationships

Burl Ives’s personal life included two marriages and the adoption of a son. He married Helen Peck Ehrlich on December 6, 1945, and they adopted a son, Alexander, in 1949. After their divorce in February 1971, Helen was granted custody of Alexander. Ives later married Dorothy Koster on April 16, 1971. They remained married until his death in 1995. He became a stepfather to Koster’s children: Rob Grossman, Kevin Murphy, and Barbara Vaughn. Ives’s personal life also reflected his dedication to community and the values of scouting. He was a Lone Scout before the organization merged with the Boy Scouts of America. He was “inducted” into the Boy Scouts in 1966 and was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award, the organization’s highest honor, in 1986.

Net Worth, Real Estate, and Financial Legacy

At the time of his death in 1995, Burl Ives had a net worth of $5 million. This substantial sum reflected his successful career in multiple areas, including music, acting, and writing. His income was derived from album sales, film roles, television appearances, and live performances. Ives’s financial success also led to significant real estate holdings. In 1974, he and Dorothy purchased an 8,500-square-foot home in Montecito, California. The property, built in 1917, featured five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and a conservatory. It also included a 2,500-square-foot guest house, an 80-foot swimming pool, a spa, and a stable, all set on a 4.5-acre property. The estate was later put on the market for $16.98 million in 2014, a testament to its value and the couple’s lifestyle.

Death and Lasting Legacy

Burl Ives, a heavy smoker of cigars and pipes, was diagnosed with oral cancer in 1994. He underwent several unsuccessful operations and ultimately decided against further treatments. He passed away at his home in Washington on April 14, 1995, at the age of 85, after falling into a coma. He was laid to rest at Mound Cemetery in Hunt City, Illinois, his birthplace. Burl Ives’s legacy extends beyond his financial success and accolades. He is remembered for his warm personality, his ability to connect with audiences of all ages, and his significant contributions to the world of entertainment.

Awards and Nominations

Burl Ives received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including:

• Academy Award: Won for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “The Big Country” (1959)
• Golden Globe: Won for Best Supporting Actor for “The Big Country” (1959)
• Grammy Award: Won for Best Country & Western Recording for “Funny Way Of Laughin'” (1963)
• Golden Boot Award: Honored in 1986
• Lincoln Academy of Illinois: Inducted as a laureate in 1976
• Order of Lincoln: Awarded by the governor of Illinois for performing arts in 1976
• Grammy Nominations:
  • Best Country & Western Recording and Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male for “A Little Bitty Tear” (1962)
  • Best Recording for Children for “Burl Ives Chim Chim Cher-ee And Other Children’s Choices” (1965)

Conclusion

Burl Ives was a true Renaissance man of entertainment, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to entertain and inspire. His achievements in music, film, television, and theater, along with his engaging personality, have solidified his place as one of America’s most beloved and enduring performers. From his humble beginnings in Illinois to his global fame, Ives’s journey is a testament to talent, hard work, and the power of connecting with an audience. His net worth at the time of his death reflected the success of his career, while his legacy lives on in his music, his films, and the countless memories he created for generations of fans.