What Is Lee Majors’ Net Worth?
Lee Majors, the celebrated American actor, boasts a net worth of $15 million as of 2025. This financial standing is primarily a result of his successful career in television, spanning several decades and iconic roles. His most notable contributions include portraying Heath Barkley in “The Big Valley,” Colonel Steve Austin in “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and Colt Seavers in “The Fall Guy.” Each of these roles played a significant part in accumulating his wealth and solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Education
Born Harvey Lee Yeary on April 23, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan, Lee Majors faced early life challenges. His father tragically passed away in a work-related accident before his birth, and his mother died in a car crash before he turned two. Subsequently, he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, relocating to Kentucky, where he spent his formative years. Majors excelled as an athlete in high school, particularly in track and football, showcasing early promise in physical pursuits.
Majors’ athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to Indiana University. He later transferred to Eastern Kentucky University in 1959. A severe back injury sustained during a football game in 1960 resulted in temporary paralysis for two weeks, effectively ending his collegiate sports aspirations. Despite this setback, Majors remained focused on academics, earning a degree in History and Physical Education from Eastern Kentucky University in 1962. This educational background would later serve as a foundation for his diverse career endeavors.
Career Highlights and Key Roles
Following graduation, Majors considered an opportunity to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals football team. However, he ultimately chose to move to Los Angeles to work as a Recreation Director for North Hollywood Park. While in Los Angeles, a chance encounter with James Dean’s agent led him to explore acting. He changed his name from Harvey Lee Yeary to Lee Majors, paying tribute to his childhood hero, football player and coach Johnny Majors.
Majors’ breakthrough role came with “The Big Valley” on ABC, where he played Heath Barkley for nearly four years. During his time on “The Big Valley,” he also starred in made-for-television films. He was offered the lead role in “Midnight Cowboy” alongside Dustin Hoffman, but conflicting schedules with “The Big Valley” forced him to decline. The role was eventually given to Jon Voight, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance.
After “The Big Valley” concluded in 1969, Majors took on various smaller television roles. In 1973, he landed the iconic role of Colonel Steve Austin in “The Six Million Dollar Man.” The show’s premise involved Austin, a former astronaut, receiving bionic limbs and enhanced capabilities after a NASA test flight injury. This role propelled Majors to international fame, with the show running successfully from 1973 to 1978. The show’s popularity led to extensive merchandising, including action figures, t-shirts, and lunchboxes. “The Six Million Dollar Man” propelled Lee Majors to new heights of popularity. His salary during the later seasons of the show was reported to be around $50,000 per episode.
The success of “The Six Million Dollar Man” spawned a spin-off, “The Bionic Woman,” featuring Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers. The two shows aired concurrently until their cancellation in 1978. Majors continued his successful television career with “The Fall Guy,” where he played Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman and bounty hunter. The show aired from 1981 to 1986, solidifying Majors’ status as a television icon.
In 2006, Majors returned to television with a role as Coach Ross in The CW series “The Game,” which he continued until 2009. This role marked a continuation of his presence in the entertainment industry, demonstrating his enduring appeal to audiences.
Earnings From ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’
“The Six Million Dollar Man,” which ran for five seasons from 1974 to 1978, served as a significant income source for Lee Majors. He played Colonel Steve Austin, a bionically enhanced astronaut, during that time. As the lead of a major primetime television show, Majors earned a substantial salary per episode. While the precise figures remain private, estimates suggest his compensation grew steadily with the show’s success. By the end of the series, Majors was likely earning tens of thousands of dollars per episode. With a total of 99 episodes produced, his cumulative earnings from “The Six Million Dollar Man” would have totaled in the millions of dollars. Also, as the star, he also got a cut from the merchandising profits, for a total of $10 million.
Earnings From ‘The Fall Guy’
Following the success of “The Six Million Dollar Man,” Lee Majors starred in another hit television series, “The Fall Guy,” which aired from 1981 to 1986. He played Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. This role not only showcased Majors’ acting abilities but also allowed him to participate in action-packed sequences. As the lead actor in “The Fall Guy,” Majors received a substantial salary per episode, contributing significantly to his net worth. As with his previous show, his salary likely increased as the show gained popularity. Over the course of 112 episodes, Majors’ earnings from “The Fall Guy” likely reached several million dollars. The total amount he made from the show was approximately $12 million.
Other Acting Roles
Apart from his major television roles, Lee Majors has appeared in numerous other film and television productions, further adding to his income. These include guest appearances in popular shows, roles in made-for-television movies, and supporting roles in feature films. While the earnings from these roles may not be as substantial as those from his main shows, they have nonetheless contributed to his overall net worth. Majors’ versatility as an actor has allowed him to remain active in the industry and continue to generate income through various projects.
Investments and Business Ventures
Details regarding Lee Majors’ specific investments and business ventures are not publicly available. However, as a successful actor with a long career, it is likely that he has made various investments to grow his wealth. These may include real estate, stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. Additionally, Majors may have explored business opportunities in areas related to his interests or expertise. While the exact details remain private, it is reasonable to assume that his investments have played a role in building his net worth over time.
Real Estate Assets
Information regarding Lee Majors’ real estate holdings is limited, but it is common for celebrities to invest in properties. While specific addresses and details are not publicly available, it is plausible that Majors owns or has owned homes in Los Angeles, where he has spent much of his career. Real estate investments can provide a stable source of income through rental properties or capital appreciation over time. However, without concrete details, it is difficult to determine the extent to which real estate contributes to Majors’ net worth.
For example, in the 1970s, during the height of his marriage to Farrah Fawcett, the couple owned a mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles. While specific details about the property’s size and amenities are not publicly available, homes in Holmby Hills are known for their luxury and exclusivity. The sale of this property following their divorce likely impacted both Majors’ and Fawcett’s finances.
Personal Life and Relationships
Lee Majors has been married four times and has four children. He was first married to Katy Robinson from 1961 to 1964, and they had one child together. His marriage to Farrah Fawcett from 1973 to 1982 was highly publicized, with both achieving significant career success during that time. Fawcett was known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors during their marriage. Majors later married Playboy Playmate Karen Velez in 1988, and they had a daughter and twin sons before divorcing in 1994. He married actress Faith Cross in 2002. These personal relationships and family commitments have undoubtedly influenced his financial decisions and overall life.
His most notable marriage was to Farrah Fawcett from 1973 to 1982. They were considered a Hollywood power couple throughout the 1970s with each having extraordinarily successful careers. While married, Fawcett went by Farrah Fawcett-Majors. It’s important to note that during their time together, Fawcett’s success in “Charlie’s Angels” significantly increased her own net worth. In 1976, Farrah Fawcett signed a deal with Fabergé to promote their shampoo. The endorsement deal was reportedly worth $2.5 million per year, a substantial sum at the time.
The financial aspects of his divorce settlements remain private. However, it is reasonable to assume that these settlements involved the division of assets and ongoing financial obligations, which would have had an impact on Majors’ overall net worth.
Honors and Recognition
Lee Majors received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 5, 1984, recognizing his contributions to the television and film industries. This honor symbolizes his lasting impact on the entertainment world and his recognition among his peers and fans. While such recognition does not directly translate into monetary gain, it enhances his reputation and legacy, which can indirectly contribute to future opportunities. Majors’ star is located at 6934 Hollywood Blvd.
Net Worth Over Time
While specific year-by-year data is not available, it’s reasonable to assume that Lee Majors’ net worth has fluctuated over time, influenced by factors such as earnings from various projects, investments, personal expenses, and divorce settlements. His peak earning years likely coincided with the success of “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The Fall Guy.”