What Is Peter Marshall’s Net Worth?
Peter Marshall, born Ralph Pierre LaCock on March 30, 1926, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, was a multifaceted American entertainer. He was renowned as a television and radio personality, singer, and actor. His career spanned several decades, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Peter Marshall passed away on August 15, 2024, at the age of 98 in Encino, California, due to kidney failure. At the time of his death, Peter Marshall’s net worth was estimated to be $10 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth.
Net Worth Composition and Career Highlights
Peter Marshall’s $10 million net worth was primarily accumulated through his extensive career in television, radio, and film. His most notable role was as the original host of “The Hollywood Squares” from 1966 to 1981. He hosted over 5,000 episodes of the game show, catapulting him to stardom and earning him multiple Emmy Awards. In 1974, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Host or Hostess in a Game Show. He won additional Daytime Emmy Awards in 1975, 1980, and 1981 for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Game or Audience Participation Show for “The Hollywood Squares”.
Before achieving fame on “The Hollywood Squares”, Marshall performed in nightclubs and appeared on television variety shows. He also acted in films like “Starlift” (1951), “The Rookie” (1959), and “Swingin’ Along” (1962). In 1963, he appeared in “The Lucy Show” as Lucy’s brother-in-law, Hughie. Peter Marshall slowly began to prioritize his solo career and appeared in some films during the 60s such as “Ensign Pulver”, “The Cavern”, and “Swingin’ Along”. He portrayed a radio show host in the musical comedy-drama film, “Annie” (1982), which made around $57 million at the box office.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born into a show business family, Peter Marshall’s early life experiences significantly shaped his career trajectory. Following his father’s suicide when Marshall was 10, he moved to New York City with his mother, a costume designer. In his early years, Peter held various jobs, including working as an usher at the Paramount Theater at age 14. After graduating from high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and stationed in Italy. He served as a disc jockey at a radio station in Naples before being discharged in 1946 with the rank of staff sergeant.
Peter began his entertainment career in the 1950s, forming a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan. They performed in nightclubs and made television appearances on shows like “The Ed Sullivan Show.” He also sang with the Bob Chester Band at the age of 15, earning $50 per week. He was also employed at NBC Radio at one point. His sister, Joanne Dru, was a film and television actress. Peter took the “The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (1965)” hosting job just to keep Rowan from getting it, as he was angry at Rowan for not visiting the terminally ill Noonan, who in Marshall’s opinion had contributed greatly to Rowan and Martin’s success.
Real Estate and Personal Life
While specific details about Peter Marshall’s real estate holdings are not publicly available, it is known that he had a home in Palm Desert, California. The real estate market in California, particularly in areas like Palm Desert, has seen significant fluctuations. As of February 2025, Great Britain’s £1 million-plus homes market remained resilient last year, according to property firm Savills, with 3,127 more joining the ranks of property millionaires. In total there are now 702,580 homes valued at £1 million or more across Great Britain. This represents a 34% increase on the last five-years.
Marshall married his third wife, Laurie Stewart, on August 19, 1989. He had four children and two stepchildren from his previous marriages. His son, Pete LaCock, is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals for nine years. In January 2021, Marshall was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was later discharged from the hospital into hospice care. He eventually recovered from the virus at home with the assistance of a new doctor and 24-hour nursing care.