Janet Leigh Net Worth

Janet Leigh: Net Worth, Career, and Life of the Hollywood Icon

What Was Janet Leigh’s Net Worth?

Janet Leigh, a celebrated American actress, singer, dancer, and author, left behind a significant legacy and financial worth. At the time of her passing on October 3, 2004, her net worth was estimated at $12 million. Accounting for inflation, this is equivalent to approximately $20 million in today’s dollars, reflecting her successful career and astute financial decisions.

Leigh’s fame is inextricably linked to her iconic portrayal of Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 thriller, “Psycho.” The role earned her critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination, and cemented her status as a Hollywood star. Beyond “Psycho,” Leigh had a prolific career, amassing over 80 acting credits across film and television. Her versatility allowed her to transition seamlessly between genres, captivating audiences with her performances in both comedic and dramatic roles.

Early Life

Born Jeanette Helen Morrison on July 6, 1927, in Merced, California, Janet Leigh’s early life was marked by a blend of modest beginnings and the eventual pursuit of her Hollywood dreams. Her parents, Frederick Robert Morrison and Helen Lita Westergaard, provided a stable, though not affluent, upbringing. Leigh’s maternal grandparents were immigrants from Denmark, while her father had German and Scots-Irish ancestry, illustrating the diverse background that shaped her perspective. As an infant, her family moved to Stockton, California, where they experienced financial hardships, particularly during the Great Depression. Her father worked in a factory and took on additional jobs to support the family. Growing up in a Presbyterian household, Leigh found solace and community in her church, actively participating in the choir. This early exposure to performance likely fostered her future artistic pursuits.

A pivotal moment in her youth came in the early 1940s when her paternal grandfather fell terminally ill, prompting the family to relocate to Merced and move into her grandparents’ home. Leigh attended local schools, including Weber Grammar School and Stockton High School, graduating at the young age of 16. Following graduation, she briefly attended Stockton College before transferring to the College of the Pacific, where she pursued psychology and music. She was a member of the Alpha Theta Tau sorority and the a cappella choir, showcasing her involvement in campus life. Leigh’s educational journey took an unexpected turn when she left college before completing her degree to chase her acting aspirations, but she later attended night classes at the University of Southern California in 1947, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning.

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Career

Janet Leigh’s career was launched by a serendipitous encounter that perfectly illustrates the role of chance in the world of Hollywood. While her parents were working at the Sugar Bowl ski resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains in 1946, actress Norma Shearer happened to see a photograph of Leigh in the resort lobby. Impressed by her striking appearance, Shearer brought the photo to Lew Wasserman, a talent agent at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. This led to a screen test and, subsequently, Wasserman securing a contract for Leigh, paving the way for her entry into the film industry. Her debut came in 1947 with “The Romance of Rosy Ridge,” marking the beginning of a prolific film career.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Leigh steadily built a diverse filmography. Key films include:

• “If Winter Comes” (1947)
• “Little Women” (1949)
• “Holiday Affair” (1949)
• “Angels in the Outfield” (1951)
• “Prince Valiant” (1954)
• “Touch of Evil” (1958)

Her role as Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” (1960) was a career-defining moment. The film’s suspenseful narrative and Leigh’s memorable performance earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, significantly boosting her profile and solidifying her status in Hollywood. This success opened doors to diverse roles, showcasing her versatility. She continued to appear in films like “Pepe” (1960), “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962), and “Bye Bye Birdie” (1963), demonstrating her ability to excel in various genres.

Leigh’s career expanded to include television in the mid-1960s and beyond. She made guest appearances on shows like “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “The Red Skelton Show,” broadening her audience. In the 1970s, she embraced television roles, including appearances on “Fantasy Island” and “The Love Boat,” while still making occasional film appearances. She also starred in television movies, proving her adaptability to different formats. In the 1980s, she appeared in the horror film “The Fog” directed by John Carpenter. Later in her career, she continued with guest roles on shows such as “Murder, She Wrote,” and even starred alongside her daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, in “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” (1998), offering a unique intergenerational connection for audiences.

(Photo by Richard C. Miller/Donaldson Collection/Getty Images)

Personal Life

Janet Leigh’s personal life, marked by a series of marriages and a deep commitment to her family, provided a rich tapestry of experiences that shaped her. At just 15 years old, she eloped with 18-year-old John Kenneth Carlisle on August 1, 1942, but the marriage was annulled five months later. During her college years, Leigh met Stanley Reames, a U.S. Navy sailor, and they married on October 6, 1945, when she was 18. This marriage also ended in divorce in July 1948. The dynamics of these early relationships reveal a young woman exploring independence and navigating the complexities of adult life.

A significant chapter in Leigh’s personal life involved her marriage to actor Tony Curtis on June 4, 1951. Together, they became one of Hollywood’s most glamorous couples. They had two daughters, Kelly, born in 1956, and Jamie Lee, born in 1958. Their marriage, however, ended in divorce in September 1962. Both Leigh and Curtis achieved significant success in their careers, with both receiving Academy Award nominations. Their daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, has also achieved stardom and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2023. These successes show how talent and a Hollywood legacy can run in the family.

Later in 1962, Leigh married stockbroker Robert Brandt on September 15, solidifying a lasting relationship that endured until her death in October 2004. Their union offered stability and companionship, and the couple shared a home in Beverly Hills. Beyond her personal relationships, Leigh was engaged in civic duties and held strong political views. A lifelong Democrat, she supported presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson in the elections of 1960 and 1964, respectively. Her involvement extended to the Motion Picture and Television Foundation, where she served on the board of directors, supporting the entertainment community through health and social services.

Death and Legacy

Janet Leigh’s life, filled with professional triumphs and personal milestones, came to a peaceful end on October 3, 2004. She passed away at her Beverly Hills home at the age of 77, following a lengthy battle with vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels. Her husband, Robert Brandt, and her daughters, Jamie Lee and Kelly, were by her side during her final moments. The end of her life marked not just the passing of a beloved actress but also the loss of a warm and caring individual. In accordance with her wishes, Leigh was cremated. Her ashes were entombed in the Garden of Serenity section of L.A.’s Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. Her plaque is inscribed as “Janet Leigh Brandt,” and Robert was laid to rest with her in 2009, ensuring their eternal companionship. Leigh’s legacy lives on through her memorable film performances, her contributions to the entertainment industry, and the memories cherished by her family, friends, and fans.

Real Estate Ventures

Janet Leigh’s astute financial management extended to real estate investments, which further contributed to her net worth. In October 1976, she purchased a mansion in Beverly Hills for $357,000, equivalent to approximately $2 million today. This purchase reflected her financial success and her appreciation for high-end living. Years later, in August 2010, her estate sold this property for $2.8 million, an example of her investment acumen. Following a substantial renovation, this same Beverly Hills home is estimated to be worth close to $20 million, demonstrating the significant value appreciation of real estate in the area and her careful planning for the future.

Awards and Nominations

Janet Leigh’s talent and contributions to the film industry were recognized throughout her career through numerous awards and nominations. Her most notable recognition came in 1961 when she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Psycho.” This nomination underscored the impact of her performance and the film’s cultural significance. Leigh also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Laurel Award nomination for Top Female Supporting Performance for “Psycho.” Her accolades extended beyond this iconic role. She received Laurel Award nominations for Top Female Comedy Performance for “Who Was That Lady?” (1960) and Top Female Star (1961), winning the award for Top Female Comedy Performance for “Pepe” (1961). Other nominations included Photoplay Awards for Favorite Female Star (1963) and Most Popular Female Star (1966).

Her contributions to the entertainment industry were also acknowledged through special honors. In 1984, Leigh was presented with the Silver Medallion Award at the Telluride Film Festival, and in 1998, she received the Eyegore Award at the Eyegore Awards. In 1960, Leigh was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the “Motion Picture” category. In the final months of her life, the University of the Pacific, her alma mater, awarded her an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts. In a further tribute, the university named the Janet Leigh Theatre in her honor, recognizing her achievements and connection to the Stockton region. In October 2006, her daughters, Jamie Lee and Kelly, unveiled a bronze plaque of Janet in her hometown of Stockton, California. The plaque is located downtown at what is now known as Janet Leigh Plaza. Moreover, the town of Sun Valley, Idaho, where Leigh had a second home for over 30 years, named a ski trail at Sun Valley Resort’s Bald Mountain “Leigh Lane” in her honor.

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