Net Worth Ranker
What Is Alan Hale Jr.’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on January 2, 1990, Alan Hale Jr.’s net worth was estimated to be $6 million. This valuation reflects his extensive career as an actor and his entrepreneurial venture as a restauranteur. Hale Jr. accumulated his wealth through various roles in film and television, spanning several decades, as well as through his business ownership.
Alan Hale Jr.’s Career and Earnings
Alan Hale Jr.’s acting career was incredibly prolific, boasting over 220 acting credits. While specific financial details for each role are not publicly available, his most notable role as Jonas “The Skipper” Grumby on “Gilligan’s Island” (1964-1967) significantly contributed to his income. During his time on “Gilligan’s Island,” Hale Jr. and his cast-mates earned a salary of $750 per week. Adjusted for inflation, this is approximately $7,300 per week in today’s dollars. With approximately 40 weeks per season (36 episodes in season one, 32 in season two, and 30 in season three), his annual income from the show amounted to $30,000, equivalent to around $300,000 in current dollars. It’s important to note that contrary to common assumptions, the cast members, including Alan Hale Jr., did not receive substantial residuals from the show’s reruns.
Before “Gilligan’s Island,” Hale Jr. also starred in other television series. From 1952 to 1954, he played the lead role in “Biff Baker, U.S.A.,” and from 1957 to 1958, he starred as the title character in “Casey Jones.” The financial terms of these roles are not publicly documented, but these starring positions would have provided a steady income stream during those periods.
In addition to television, Hale Jr. also appeared in numerous films, including “The Big Trees,” “Destry,” “A Man Alone,” “The True Story of Jesse James,” “The Long Rope,” “It Happened on Fifth Avenue,” “The West Point Story,” and “Honeychile.” Although his specific earnings from these films are not known, his frequent appearances would have contributed to his overall income and net worth.
Recognizing his contributions to the entertainment industry, Alan Hale Jr. received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, located at 6653 Hollywood Blvd. This honor signifies his established presence and success in the film and television industry.
In the mid-1970s, Alan Hale Jr. ventured into the restaurant business, co-owning Alan Hale’s Lobster Barrel in Los Angeles. While financial specifics of the restaurant are not publicly available, it served as another source of income for Hale Jr. The success of the restaurant would have contributed to his net worth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Alan Hale Jr. was born on March 8, 1921, in Los Angeles, California. His parents, Gretchen Hartman and Rufus Edward MacKahan (known as Alan Hale Sr.), were both involved in the film industry. While Alan Hale Jr. appeared in a few silent films as a baby and had minor roles during his childhood, his early career was relatively limited.
In 1931, Hale Jr. made his Broadway debut in “Caught Wet.” His official screen debut was in 1933 in “Wild Boys of the Road,” although his appearance was ultimately cut from the final version of the film, despite receiving a screen credit. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Hale Jr. frequently appeared in Gene Autry films and had a recurring role on “The Gene Autry Show” from 1950 to 1952. These roles likely provided some income, though the exact figures are unavailable.
During World War II, Alan Hale Jr. served in the United States Coast Guard, temporarily pausing his acting career. After the war, he resumed his acting career, securing more television roles. His starring role in CBS’s “Biff Baker, U.S.A.” (1952-1954) marked a significant point in his career.
Post-“Gilligan’s Island” Career and Ventures
Following the original run of “Gilligan’s Island,” Alan Hale Jr. continued to work in television and film. He reprised his role as the Skipper in three television films: “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island” (1978), “The Castaways of Gilligan’s Island” (1979), and “The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island” (1981). He also voiced the character in the animated series “The New Adventures of Gilligan” (1974-1977) and “Gilligan’s Planet” (1982-1983). Financial details for these projects are not publicly accessible, but his involvement would have certainly added to his earnings.
Hale Jr. made guest appearances in series like “The Wild Wild West,” “Here Comes the Bride,” “Land of the Giants,” “The Virginian,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “The Love Boat,” and “Crazy Like a Fox.” Additionally, he appeared in the Clint Eastwood Western “Hang ‘Em High” (1968), “The Giant Spider Invasion” (1975), and “Angels Revenge” (1978). These roles, although often supporting, sustained his presence in the entertainment industry.
Alan Hale’s Lobster Barrel, his restaurant in Los Angeles, represented a diversification of his income sources. As a co-owner, he would have benefited from the restaurant’s profits. However, specific details about the restaurant’s revenue and Hale Jr.’s share are not publicly available.
Personal Life
Alan Hale Jr. was married twice. His first marriage was to Bettina Reed Doerr in March 1943, and they had four children: Alan, Chris, Lana, and Dorian. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1964, he married Naomi Grace Ingram, and they remained married until his death. Details regarding any financial settlements or assets acquired during these marriages are not publicly documented.
Alan Hale Jr. passed away on January 2, 1990, at the age of 68, due to thymus cancer at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dawn Wells, his “Gilligan’s Island” co-star, attended the funeral, representing the surviving cast members.
Detailed Breakdown of Acting Roles and potential earnings
Throughout the 1950s, Alan Hale Jr. appeared frequently in Gene Autry films and “The Gene Autry Show” (1950-1952). While specific earnings are not documented, roles in Western films during this era typically paid between $500 to $1,000 per week for supporting roles, and potentially more for recurring characters in a television series. Assuming an average of $750 per week for his work with Gene Autry and consistent work for at least half the year (26 weeks), this could have added up to $19,500 per year during that period. When adjusted for inflation this represents approximately $210,000 per year in today’s currency.
His lead role in “Biff Baker, U.S.A.” (1952-1954) would have likely commanded a higher salary. Lead actors in television series during the early 1950s could earn between $1,000 to $2,500 per week. If Hale Jr. earned $1,500 per week for 30 weeks each year, his annual income from this show would have been $45,000 (approximately $485,000 in today’s currency). The series ran for two years, contributing a substantial sum to his growing net worth.
Alan Hale Jr.’s participation in “Casey Jones” (1957-1958), where he starred as the title character, likely provided a similar income level to “Biff Baker, U.S.A.”. Assuming a weekly salary of $1,500 for 32 episodes, his earnings would have been $48,000 which in today’s currency would be approximately $518,000, which added significantly to his financial stability during that period. The show’s popularity also may have increased his recognition, leading to better-paying roles.
During the early 1960s, Alan Hale Jr. guest-starred in various popular shows, including “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” “The Real McCoys,” “Mister Ed,” “Green Acres,” “Adventures in Paradise,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Lassie,” “Tales of Wells Fargo,” “Route 66,” and “Hazel.” Guest appearances on these shows typically paid between $500 and $1,000 per episode. If Alan Hale Jr. appeared in an average of 10 episodes per year at $750 per episode, that would contribute an additional $7,500 per year (roughly $72,000 in today’s currency) to his income. While the exact amount of income earned per show isn’t known, the breadth of these appearances enhanced his career earnings.
His role as the Skipper on “Gilligan’s Island” (1964-1967), with $750 per week, assuming 40 weeks per season, gave him $30,000 per season, representing an income of $300,000 per year in today’s dollars. It was a financial cornerstone during that time and provided a level of financial security. Although no substantial residuals were paid, the initial income from “Gilligan’s Island” had a considerable impact on his financial standing.
Alan Hale Jr.’s role in Clint Eastwood’s “Hang ‘Em High” (1968) and other subsequent films, like “The Giant Spider Invasion” (1975), typically provided lump sum payments rather than weekly salaries. For example, supporting roles in Western films like “Hang ‘Em High” could yield payments ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, equivalent to roughly $40,000 to $120,000 in today’s currency. These occasional film roles added intermittent boosts to his income.
In addition to his on-screen work, Alan Hale Jr. voiced his character in animated series like “The New Adventures of Gilligan” and “Gilligan’s Planet,” which ran for multiple seasons. Voice acting roles can provide continuous and stable income for several years. Although the exact amounts are not publicly documented, it’s safe to assume they represented a reliable source of revenue to support his total net worth. Voice acting could range from $200 to $500 an episode, depending on his bargaining power and union rates at that time.
Alan Hale’s Lobster Barrel was a co-owned business that provided an additional income stream. The specific details of the restaurant’s revenue, profit margins, and Hale Jr.’s share are not publicly available. But considering the restaurant operated for many years, it had a steady impact on enhancing his total revenue over time. A successful restaurant might generate annual profits of $50,000 to $100,000, and Alan Hale Jr.’s share of this would further contribute to his overall earnings.
Analyzing Posthumous Net Worth
When Alan Hale Jr. passed away in 1990, his assets would have included any remaining earnings, real estate holdings, personal property, and investments accumulated throughout his career. Since specific details about real estate and investment holdings are unavailable, one can only speculate about his net worth. Considering the consistent income streams from film, television, and his restaurant, a net worth of $6 million reflects his hard work, investments, and business endeavors throughout his career.
While the cast members of “Gilligan’s Island” did not receive substantial residuals, the initial income and subsequent opportunities leveraged from his fame still provided a significant foundation for his net worth. The lack of detailed financial records prevents a definitive analysis, but based on known incomes, his net worth estimation of $6 million is consistent with his extensive career and successful business ventures.
