Net Worth Ranker
What Was Norman Fell’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on December 14, 1998, Norman Fell, the American actor celebrated for his role as Stanley Roper in “Three’s Company,” had a reported net worth of $1 million. This figure represents the culmination of a career spanning over four decades, featuring more than 160 acting credits across television and film. While specific breakdowns of his earnings from individual projects are not publicly available, an analysis of his career trajectory provides insight into the accumulation of his net worth.
Norman Fell’s Early Career and Television Success
Norman Fell, born Norman Noah Feld on March 24, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, embarked on his acting journey after serving as a tail gunner in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Following his military service, he honed his craft at Temple University, The Actors Studio, and Black Hills Players. Fell’s early television appearances in the mid-1950s, including roles in “The Elgin Hour,” “Westinghouse Studio One,” “The Philco Television Playhouse,” and “Goodyear Television Playhouse,” laid the foundation for his extensive career. These roles, while not providing substantial individual income, were essential in establishing his presence in the industry.
The 1960s saw Fell’s career gain momentum with recurring roles in television series such as “87th Precinct” (1961-1962), where he played Detective Meyer Meyer in 30 episodes. Although specific salary details for his work on “87th Precinct” are unavailable, recurring roles in television series typically provided actors with a steady income stream. His appearances in notable shows like “The Fugitive,” “Ben Casey,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “Bewitched,” and “The F.B.I.” further contributed to his growing financial stability. Fell’s film roles during this period, including “Ocean’s 11,” “PT 109,” and “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” would have added to his income, although the exact figures from these roles remain undisclosed. In 1965, he played the part of a night club owner and FBI informant in “The F.B.I.,” specifically in the episode titled “The Monster.”
The 1970s brought Fell continued television work, including his role as Sergeant Charles Wilentz in “Dan August” (1970-1971) and Nathan Davison in “Needles and Pins” (1973-1974). His appearances in shows like “McCloud,” “Love, American Style,” and “Starsky & Hutch,” along with film roles in “Catch-22” and “Airport 1975,” sustained his income. It was his casting as Stanley Roper in “Three’s Company” in 1976 that marked a significant turning point in his career. While the precise details of his contract with “Three’s Company” are not public record, it is reasonable to assume that his salary increased substantially during his five-year tenure on the show. His Golden Globe Award for Best TV Actor in a Supporting Role in 1979 for “Three’s Company” further enhanced his marketability and earning potential. In 1976 he played the part of Smitty in the mini-series “Rich Man, Poor Man”, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award.
Later Career and Final Years
After leaving “Three’s Company” in 1981 and subsequently starring in the spin-off series “The Ropers” (1979-1980), Fell continued to work steadily in television and film. His roles in “Teachers Only” (1982-1983) and appearances in shows like “Crazy Like a Fox,” “Simon & Simon,” “Magnum, P.I.,” and “Murder, She Wrote” provided consistent income. While these later roles may not have commanded the same level of compensation as his work on “Three’s Company,” they contributed to his overall net worth. His film appearances in the 1980s and 1990s, including “Transylvania 6-5000,” “C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.,” and “For the Boys,” would have provided additional income. From 1985 to 1986, Norman Fell had a recurring role in “Crazy Like a Fox,” appearing in multiple episodes.
Norman Fell’s $1 million net worth at the time of his death reflects a career built on consistent work and strategic role choices, culminating in his iconic portrayal of Stanley Roper. Though specific financial details are not available, his extensive career in television and film provided him with a comfortable living. His success on “Three’s Company,” in particular, significantly contributed to his financial stability. His presence in a wide variety of shows during the 1990s also contributed to his income. Some of these include: “Good Grief,” “Flying Blind,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Family Reunion: A Relative Nightmare,” and “The Naked Truth.”
Fell was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1976 for his role in “Rich Man, Poor Man.” Although this was before his biggest financial success in “Three’s Company,” it certainly marked a turning point in his career trajectory and increased his opportunities in the industry. A Golden Globe Award for Best TV Actor in a Supporting Role was awarded to Norman Fell for his role in “Three’s Company”. The show was very popular, leading to a spin-off series called “The Ropers.” This also increased his success in the industry.
Norman Fell had three marriages throughout his life. His first marriage was to Dolores Pikoos in 1950, but the marriage only lasted 4 years. In 1961 he married Diane Weiss and had two daughters named Tracy and Mara. His third marriage was to Karen Weingard in 1975, with whom he adopted a son. This personal life information, while not directly related to his net worth, provides context to his life and expenses.
Norman Fell’s final on-screen appearance was in 1997 when he played Mr. Roper in an episode of “Ellen.” This was a fitting end to his career, as it allowed him to revisit the role that made him famous. He passed away on December 14, 1998, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a substantial net worth.
Details Behind Norman Fell’s Acting Roles
Throughout his acting career, Norman Fell was highly sought after, and this brought him many roles in various projects. In the series “87th Precinct,” from 1961 to 1962, Fell played Detective Meyer Meyer. This role marked a very important part of his early career. Fell’s regular cast position across 30 episodes of the show would have increased his recognition. During this decade, he appeared in several films, including “PT 109” (1963) and the comedy film “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (1963). In 1967 he played Mr. Smith in the movie, “The Graduate”.
During the 1970s, Fell was cast in the show “Dan August” as Sergeant Charles Wilentz. Also, in 1970, Fell appeared in the film, “Catch-22”. These roles helped solidify his reputation as a dependable and versatile actor in both comedic and dramatic roles, which ultimately helped grow his net worth. Then, in 1976, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best TV Actor in a Supporting Role due to his role in “Three’s Company,” adding to his fame and net worth.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Fell continued to act in the industry. He appeared in “Crazy Like a Fox” from 1985 to 1986 and also starred in many shows such as “Simon & Simon”, “Magnum, P.I.”, “Murder, She Wrote” and “The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!”. These projects helped maintain his presence in the industry, and contributed to his overall net worth. Fell continued to get roles in the 1990s, where he was cast in “Good Grief”, “Flying Blind”, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, “Family Reunion: A Relative Nightmare”, and “The Naked Truth.” This constant work in the industry allowed for Fell to acquire his $1 million net worth.
