Net Worth Ranker
What Is Barbara Billingsley’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing in October 2010, Barbara Billingsley, the celebrated actress of stage and screen, possessed a net worth of $12 million. This valuation reflects a career spanning several decades in the entertainment industry, encompassing roles in television, film, and voice acting. Her financial standing was also influenced by real estate investments, notably an oceanfront property in Malibu.
Career and Income Sources
Barbara Billingsley’s primary source of wealth stemmed from her acting career, with the iconic role of June Cleaver in “Leave it to Beaver” being a significant contributor. The show, which ran for six seasons from 1957 to 1963, provided a consistent income stream during its initial run. Later, “The New Leave it to Beaver,” which aired from 1985 to 1989, further augmented her earnings. While specific contract details and episode-by-episode salaries are not publicly available, it’s understood that a successful television series such as “Leave it to Beaver” would have provided substantial compensation. Other television appearances, including roles in “Muppet Babies,” “Roseanne,” and various guest spots, also contributed to her overall income.
Beyond television, Billingsley appeared in numerous films. While many of her early film roles were uncredited, later appearances in films like “The Careless Years” (1957) and “Airplane!” (1980) added to her financial portfolio. The financial specifics of these film contracts are not publicly accessible, but they represent additional streams of income that contributed to her net worth.
It is worth noting that in addition to her work in television and film, Barbara Billingsley had a number of endorsements deals. She was the spokesperson for easy-off oven cleaner from 1983 to 1989. She reprised her iconic role as June Cleaver and this boosted her income.
Real Estate Holdings
A significant component of Barbara Billingsley’s net worth was her real estate investment in Malibu. In the 1960s, she acquired an oceanfront home for $30,000. This property not only served as a personal residence but also generated rental income when she was not using it. The house was rented out as a short term rental for $20,000-$40,000 per month. In September 2021, after Barbara’s passing, her heirs sold the property to football legend Joe Montana for $7.4 million. This sale highlights the substantial appreciation in value of the real estate investment over several decades and its significant contribution to her estate.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Barbara Lillian Combes in Los Angeles on December 22, 1915, Billingsley’s early life provided the foundation for her future career. After her parents’ divorce, she pursued her passion for performance, starting on stage in the revue “Straw Hat.” Following the show’s closure, she transitioned to fashion modeling in New York City. This early exposure to the entertainment and fashion industries laid the groundwork for her subsequent move back to Los Angeles and her contract with MGM in 1945. While specific financial details of her early stage and modeling work are not available, these experiences were crucial in shaping her career path and eventual financial success.
Film Career Details
Barbara Billingsley’s film career began with uncredited roles in the mid-1940s. She secured her first screen billing in the 1948 film noir “The Argyle Secrets.” That same year, she played a prominent role in the Western “The Valiant Hombre.” In 1957, Billingsley landed one of her most significant film roles in Arthur Hiller’s “The Careless Years,” starring alongside Dean Stockwell and Natalie Trundy. Details of her salary for each role are not publicly available, but her consistent work in film throughout the 1940s and 1950s contributed steadily to her income.
After a hiatus from film, Billingsley returned to the big screen in 1980 with a memorable role in “Airplane!” Her appearance in the parody film, where she played a jive-talking lady, showcased her versatility and introduced her to a new generation of audiences. Though her film appearances were less frequent in the later years of her career, her participation in projects like “Back to the Beach” (1987) and the “Leave it to Beaver” film adaptation (1997) added to her career earnings.
Television Career Expansion
In the early 1950s, Billingsley transitioned to television, appearing in episodes of shows like “Rebound,” “The Abbott and Costello Show,” and “City Detective.” In 1955, she landed her first main role on the sitcom “Professional Father,” which, though short-lived, marked a significant step in her television career. While the specific financial terms of her early television contracts are not available, these roles allowed her to gain exposure and experience in the burgeoning medium.
Her most iconic television role came with “Leave it to Beaver” in 1957. As June Cleaver, Billingsley became a household name, and the show’s success ensured a steady income for six seasons. After the original series ended, she struggled to find consistent work in the 1970s, with her only television credit during that decade being “The F.B.I.” However, she made a comeback in the 1980s with appearances on “Mork & Mindy” and “The Love Boat,” as well as her voice role as Nanny on “Muppet Babies,” which she continued through 1991. In the 1990s, she appeared on sitcoms like “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose,” “Empty Nest,” and “Roseanne,” further expanding her television career and contributing to her overall earnings.
Personal Life and Marital History
Barbara Billingsley’s personal life also had financial implications. She was married three times. Her first marriage was to restaurateur Glenn Billingsley in 1941, with whom she had two sons before their divorce in 1947. In 1953, she married English filmmaker Roy Kellino, who passed away in 1956. Her third marriage was to William Mortensen in 1959, and they remained together until his death in 1981. While specific financial arrangements related to these marriages are not publicly known, it is common for marital relationships to impact financial standing through shared assets and potential settlements in the event of divorce or inheritance upon death.
Net Worth Milestones
It’s challenging to pinpoint exact net worth milestones without detailed financial records, but we can infer certain periods of growth based on career events. The success of “Leave it to Beaver” from 1957 to 1963 likely marked a significant increase in her net worth. The revival of the series in the 1980s with “The New Leave it to Beaver” would have provided another boost. Additionally, her voice work on “Muppet Babies” from 1984 to 1991 offered a consistent income stream. The sale of her Malibu property in 2021 for $7.4 million, although occurring after her death, demonstrates the long-term financial benefit of her real estate investment. While the specific year-by-year income statistics are not available, these key moments in her career and personal life likely influenced her net worth trajectory.
