What Was 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 long and prolific career as an actor and his entrepreneurial venture into the restaurant business.
Alan Hale Jr.’s Career Highlights and Earnings
Alan Hale Jr.’s acting career spanned several decades, with over 220 acting credits to his name. While specific salary figures for many of his roles remain undisclosed, some information is available regarding his compensation during his most famous role as Jonas “The Skipper” Grumby on “Gilligan’s Island.”
During the original run of “Gilligan’s Island” from 1964 to 1967, Alan Hale Jr. and his fellow cast members earned a salary of $750 per week. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to approximately $7,300 per week in today’s dollars. Given that each season consisted of around 30 to 36 episodes, and assuming approximately 40 weeks of work per year, Alan Hale Jr.’s annual income from “Gilligan’s Island” would have been approximately $30,000, or about $300,000 in today’s dollars.
Despite the immense popularity and enduring legacy of “Gilligan’s Island,” the cast members did not receive substantial residual income from reruns. According to Dawn Wells, a co-star on the show, the producer, Sherwood Schwartz, reportedly made around $90 million from reruns, while the cast received minimal residuals.
In addition to “Gilligan’s Island,” Alan Hale Jr. held starring roles in other television series, including “Biff Baker, U.S.A.” (1952-1954) and “Casey Jones” (1957-1958). The specific salary figures for these roles are not publicly available. However, these roles undoubtedly contributed to his overall income and net worth.
Beyond television, Alan Hale Jr. also appeared in numerous films throughout his career, 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.” While specific salary details for these film roles are not widely known, they would have further contributed to his overall earnings and financial standing.
In recognition of 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 star serves as a lasting tribute to his career and legacy.
Alan Hale Jr.’s Restaurant Venture
In addition to his acting career, Alan Hale Jr. ventured into the restaurant business, co-owning Alan Hale’s Lobster Barrel in Los Angeles during the mid-1970s. Details regarding the restaurant’s financial performance, revenues, and profits are not readily available. However, this business venture likely contributed to his overall income and net worth.
Alan Hale Jr.’s Personal Life and Family
Alan Hale Jr. was born on March 8, 1921, in Los Angeles, California. His mother, Gretchen Hartman, was a silent film actress, and his father, Rufus Edward MacKahan, known professionally as Alan Hale, was a renowned character actor.
Alan Hale Jr. was married twice. His first marriage was to Bettina Reed Doerr in March 1943. Together, they had four children: Alan, Chris, Lana, and Dorian. The couple later divorced.
In 1964, Alan Hale Jr. married Naomi Grace Ingram, a former singer. They remained married until his death on January 2, 1990, from thymus cancer at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles. His “Gilligan’s Island” co-star, Dawn Wells, attended the funeral, representing the show’s surviving cast members.