Red Skelton Net Worth

Red Skelton’s Net Worth: A Look at the Life and Fortune of the Comedy Legend

Red Skelton, a name synonymous with laughter and entertainment, left behind a legacy that continues to resonate with audiences. But what was the financial value of this comedic icon? This article delves into Red Skelton’s net worth, providing a detailed overview of his life, career, and the various ventures that contributed to his wealth.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Red Skelton, born Richard Bernard Skelton on July 18, 1913, in Vincennes, Indiana, faced early hardships that shaped his character and drive. His father, Joseph, passed away just two months before his birth, leaving his mother, Ida, to raise him and his three older brothers: Denny, Christopher, and Paul. To support his family, Skelton began working at a young age, taking on various odd jobs, including selling newspapers. His early exposure to the realities of life instilled in him a strong work ethic.

Recognizing his natural comedic talent, Skelton dropped out of school to pursue a career in entertainment. He started his journey on a showboat, learning the fundamentals of performing. This experience was pivotal, providing a platform to develop his comedic skills and connect with audiences. Following his showboat stint, he honed his skills on the burlesque circuit and with a traveling medicine show, which exposed him to diverse audiences and further refined his comedic timing.

In the early 1930s, Skelton’s ability to captivate an audience led him to become a master of ceremonies for dance marathons, an incredibly popular form of entertainment during the era. This role allowed him to interact with people and showcase his quick wit and charm, which he would later use to great effect in his radio and television shows.

Vaudeville: Honing the Craft

In 1931, Red Skelton married Edna Stillwell, a writer who would become his creative partner. Together, they crafted a vaudeville act and started performing at small theaters in the Midwest. They gradually built their act, refining their routines and honing their stage presence. As their act gained popularity, they moved east, performing in Camden, New Jersey, before landing gigs in New York City and Montreal. These performances exposed them to larger and more diverse audiences and provided an opportunity to further develop their act.

Their act reached a turning point at Loew’s State Theatre in New York, where they debuted their popular “Doughnut Dunkers” pantomime routine. This routine was a hit and garnered significant attention, including the attention of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who appointed Skelton as the master of ceremonies for his official birthday celebrations at the White House. This was a significant achievement that catapulted Skelton into the national spotlight.

The Golden Age of Radio

Skelton’s radio career began with a guest appearance on “The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour” in 1937. His performance was well-received, leading to a regular spot on the program. Due to his rising popularity, he became the host of “Avalon Time” the following year, replacing Red Foley. The show provided a consistent platform for Skelton to showcase his comedic talents. However, his career’s trajectory changed dramatically in 1941 when he launched his own radio show, “The Raleigh Cigarette Program.”

On the show, Skelton introduced his character Junior, a mischievous young boy whose catchphrase, “I dood it!” became a national phenomenon. The show’s popularity grew rapidly, and it became one of the most listened-to programs on the radio. “The Raleigh Cigarette Program” ran until mid-1944, when Skelton was drafted into the US Army. His time in the military, serving in the Special Services, saw him performing several shows a day for troops in the US and Europe, boosting morale during wartime. After his release in September 1945, Skelton resumed his radio show on NBC.

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Television Stardom: “The Red Skelton Show”

In the spring of 1951, Red Skelton signed a television contract with NBC and, later that year, launched “The Red Skelton Show.” The show quickly gained a large audience, cementing Skelton’s status as a television star. His show, known for its variety of skits, characters, and slapstick humor, became a staple of American television.

The show was initially broadcast on NBC until the spring of 1953, when it was cancelled due to declining ratings. It then moved to CBS, where it remained until 1970. In 1962, recognizing its popularity, the program was extended to a full hour and renamed “The Red Skelton Hour.” The show remained one of the highest-rated programs on television for many years. However, in 1970, network executives, looking to revamp their programming, cancelled many long-running programs, including Skelton’s show. In 1971, Skelton made a final return to NBC, producing a half-hour version of his show, but this version was also cancelled. Despite the cancellations, “The Red Skelton Show” remains an iconic part of television history.

Film Ventures: Beyond the Small Screen

Skelton’s talents were not limited to the stage and television. He also enjoyed a successful career in film. His big-screen debut came in 1938 with a supporting role in the RKO romantic comedy “Having Wonderful Time.” This early foray into film was just the beginning of a prolific career.

In the 1940s, Skelton appeared in a series of films for MGM, which helped solidify his fame as a versatile actor. His roles in films such as “Flight Command,” “Dr. Kildare’s Wedding Day,” “Whistling in the Dark,” “Lady Be Good,” “Ship Ahoy,” “I Dood It,” “Bathing Beauty,” “A Southern Yankee,” and “Neptune’s Daughter” showcased his ability to perform in various genres, from comedy to romance. His work in the 1950s included roles in “Excuse My Dust,” “Texas Carnival,” “The Clown,” and “The Great Diamond Robbery.” His final major film role was in the 1957 comedy “Public Pigeon No. 1.” Though this was his last major role, Skelton still took on brief roles in “Ocean’s 11” and “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.”

Beyond the Stage: Art, Music, and Other Ventures

Besides his performing career, Red Skelton was an accomplished artist, creating and selling artwork. He was particularly renowned for his oil paintings of clowns. These paintings were then reproduced as lithographic prints, generating significant revenue. It is believed that Skelton made more money from his art sales than he did from his television work. This highlights his entrepreneurial skills and his ability to diversify his income streams.

Skelton’s creative endeavors extended beyond visual art. He frequently wrote short stories and composed music. It is reported that he wrote at least one short story every week and composed over 8,000 songs and symphonies by the time of his passing. He also sold many of his musical compositions to Muzak, a background music company. Furthermore, Skelton was an avid photographer and gardener and was a longtime Freemason, a member of both the Scottish and York Rites.

Later Years and Legacy

After leaving the airwaves, Skelton focused on live performances, often doing up to 125 dates a year. He performed in nightclubs, casinos, and other venues, and continued performing live until his 80th birthday in 1993. His live performances gave fans an opportunity to experience his comedic genius. During his later years, he also made some appearances on television specials, including HBO’s “Freddie the Freeloader’s Christmas Dinner.”

Throughout his career, Skelton received numerous honors, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Governor’s Award, and the Screen Actors Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1994, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding contributions to radio. These awards and accolades reflect the impact and influence of his work on the entertainment industry.

Marriages and Family Life

Skelton’s personal life included three marriages. In 1931, he married his first wife, Edna Stillwell, whom he met when she won a dance marathon he was emceeing. The pair collaborated on comedy routines throughout the 1930s. They later divorced in 1943. Stillwell remained a career advisor for Skelton until 1952.

He was briefly engaged to actress Muriel Morris in 1944. Skelton then married his second wife, actress Georgia Davis, in 1945. Together, they had two children, Valentina and Richard. Richard was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of nine and sadly passed away in 1958. Skelton’s life was marked by personal tragedy when Georgia Davis died by suicide on the anniversary of Richard’s death in 1976. Skelton married his third and final wife, Lothian Toland, in 1973; they remained together until his passing.

Death, Legacy, and Charitable Contributions

Red Skelton passed away on September 17, 1997, from pneumonia in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 84. His death marked the end of an era in comedy, but his legacy endures.

His widow, Lothian, donated many of his personal and professional effects to Vincennes University in his hometown. This donation ensured that future generations could learn about and appreciate his work and contributions to the world of entertainment. In August 2023, Lothian pledged $4 million to the university to build an art gallery, which would be named in his honor. This significant gift ensured that his art and contributions would be preserved and celebrated for years to come.

Skelton’s extensive body of work, and the many entertainers he inspired, continue to shape his legacy. In early 2006, the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center was dedicated on the campus of Vincennes University. Moreover, in 2013, the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy opened next door, which houses memorabilia from his career and serves as a tribute to his impact on comedy. The town of Vincennes also hosts the annual Red Skelton Festival, featuring family activities, live music, and the “Parade of a Thousand Clowns,” the largest clown parade in the Midwest. The continued celebrations, museum, and performing arts center are clear testaments to the lasting impact of Red Skelton’s career.

The Rancho Mirage Estate

In 1986, Red Skelton and his wife, Lothian, purchased a 602-acre ranch near Rancho Mirage, California. The property showcased a lavish lifestyle, featuring a 10-car garage, a 10,000-square-foot main house, multiple guest structures, barns, and stables. This estate served as a testament to his success.

In 2015, his widow attempted to sell the ranch for $9.5 million. Despite lowering the price several times, she eventually took the property off the market in 2020, with the asking price reduced to $4 million. The sale of the ranch, or lack thereof, highlighted the challenges of maintaining a property of such scale.