Net Worth Ranker
What Was Amanda Blake’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing in 1989, Amanda Blake, a celebrated American actress, had a net worth estimated at $500,000. This figure reflected her earnings primarily from her extensive acting career, most notably her long-running role on “Gunsmoke,” and various other film and television appearances.
Amanda Blake’s Acting Career and Earnings
Blake’s career began in the late 1940s after she signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). While specific details of her initial contract with MGM are not publicly available, it is known that the studio envisioned her as a successor to Greer Garson, a prominent actress of that era. Her early film roles included appearances in “Stars In My Crown,” “Duchess of Idaho,” “Counterspy Meets Scotland Yard,” “China Corsair,” and “Smuggler’s Gold.” These roles, while contributing to her initial income, likely did not command the substantial salaries she would later earn during her television career.
In 1952, Blake appeared in “Cattle Town,” followed by roles in “Lili” (1953), “Sabre Jet” (1953), and “Miss Robin Crusoe” (1954). Her role in “A Star Is Born” (1954) also added to her growing portfolio. Other films from this period include “The Adventures of Hajji Baba,” “The Glass Slipper,” and “High Society.” While the exact salaries for these individual film roles are not documented, they collectively contributed to her accumulating wealth prior to her breakthrough role in television.
Amanda Blake’s most significant role, and the one that predominantly defined her career, was as Miss Kitty Russell on the television series “Gunsmoke.” She starred in this role from 1955 to 1974, a period spanning nineteen years. While precise salary figures for Blake’s time on “Gunsmoke” are not publicly accessible, it’s reasonable to assume that her income increased significantly over the show’s nearly two-decade run, especially given the show’s immense popularity and longevity. “Gunsmoke” consistently ranked among the top-rated television programs, achieving a top-10 spot in the Nielsen ratings for many seasons. This success undoubtedly translated into increased earning potential for Blake through salary increases and potential bonuses. It’s estimated that during the peak years of “Gunsmoke,” Blake could have been earning several thousand dollars per episode, which would have contributed substantially to her net worth.
During her time on “Gunsmoke,” Blake’s commitment to the show limited her availability for other major film projects. However, she made occasional appearances in other television programs. She guest-starred as Betty Lavon-Coate in an episode of the crime drama “State Trooper” in 1957. She also had a recurring comedy routine on “The Red Skelton Show” and was a frequent celebrity participant on “Hollywood Squares.” Additionally, she appeared on game shows like “Tattletales” and the 1970s revival of “Match Game,” contributing incrementally to her overall income through appearance fees and winnings.
After her long run on “Gunsmoke,” Blake made two feature-film appearances in the late 1980s. She appeared in “The Boost” (1988), a drug-addiction drama starring James Woods and Sean Young, and “B.O.R.N.” (1988). While specific salary details for these roles are not available, they represent some of her final earnings from acting.
Other Ventures and Assets Contributing to Amanda Blake’s Net Worth
Beyond her acting career, Amanda Blake engaged in other activities that likely contributed to her net worth. After stepping away from the public spotlight, Blake dedicated much of her time to animal welfare. Along with her then-husband, Frank Gilbert, she ran an experimental breeding program for cheetahs, becoming one of the first to successfully breed them in captivity. They successfully raised seven generations of cheetahs. In 1971, Blake co-founded the Arizona Animal Welfare League, now the oldest and largest “no-kill” animal shelter in Arizona. In 1985, she helped finance the creation of the Performing Animal Welfare Society. These ventures, while primarily philanthropic, may have also involved some level of financial investment and management that could have influenced her net worth.
In 1997, after Blake’s death, the Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge opened at Rancho Seco Park in Herald, California. The refuge provides sanctuary for free-ranging African hoofed wildlife animals, many of which were originally destined for exotic animal auctions or hunting ranches. Although this refuge was established posthumously, it stands as a testament to her dedication to animal welfare and could be seen as a legacy stemming from her earlier investments in this area.
Personal Life and Marital History
Amanda Blake’s personal life included four marriages. She married Don Whitman in 1954, but they divorced two years later. In 1964, she married Jason Seymore Day, Jr., and they divorced in 1967. The same year, she married Frank Gilbert, with whom she remained married for about 15 years before divorcing in 1982. In 1984, she married Mark Edward Spaeth, but their marriage ended when Spaeth died in 1985. These marriages and divorces could have potentially impacted her financial status due to divorce settlements or inheritance matters, although specific details are not publicly available.
Blake’s health struggles also played a role in her later life. She was a heavy smoker and had surgery for oral cancer in 1977. She became a supporter of the American Cancer Society and made fundraising appearances throughout the country. In 1984, she received the society’s annual Courage Award, presented by President Ronald Reagan. The medical expenses associated with her cancer treatment, along with her philanthropic efforts, would have likely influenced her financial situation to some extent.
Amanda Blake passed away on August 16, 1989, from pneumonia brought on by AIDS. Her doctor later stated that she had died of AIDS. Her friends maintained that she may have acquired the disease from a former husband, as she was neither a drug user nor sexually promiscuous. The circumstances surrounding her death were tragic and added a poignant note to her life story, but did not directly impact the net worth she had accumulated throughout her career.
