Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bob Crane’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on June 29, 1978, Bob Crane’s net worth was estimated to be $150,000. While this figure appears modest, especially considering his fame from “Hogan’s Heroes” and a lucrative radio career, several factors contributed to this amount. His net worth was affected by divorces and a decline in his career during the 1970s.
Bob Crane’s Early Career and Salaries
Bob Crane started his career in radio in 1950 at WLEA in Hornell, New York. He later moved to WBIS in Bristol, Connecticut, and then to WICC in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His move to CBS Radio at KNX in Los Angeles, California, in 1956 marked a significant turning point. At KNX, Crane’s salary reached $75,000 per year, an amount equivalent to nearly $800,000 in today’s dollars after adjusting for inflation. During the early 1960s, Crane supplemented his income by working on “The Donna Reed Show,” which earned him an additional $75,000 annually. This dual income translated to approximately $1.6 million per year in today’s currency. These early financial successes laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
“Hogan’s Heroes” and Subsequent Career
Crane’s role as Colonel Robert Hogan on “Hogan’s Heroes” significantly boosted his profile. Although the specific salary he earned per episode of “Hogan’s Heroes” is not publicly documented, the show’s success undoubtedly made him a wealthy man, with an estimated net worth reaching into the low millions range during the show’s run. “Hogan’s Heroes” aired for six seasons, from 1965 to 1971, and included 168 episodes, all featuring Crane. His appearances garnered him Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series in 1966 and 1967.
Following “Hogan’s Heroes,” Crane’s career began to wane. In 1975, he starred in “The Bob Crane Show,” which was canceled after just 13 episodes due to poor ratings. He appeared in various television series, including “The Delphi Bureau,” “Tenafly,” “Police Woman,” “Ellery Queen,” “Spencer’s Pilots,” “Gibbsville,” “Quincy, M.E.,” and “The Love Boat.” His final television role was in a 1978 episode of “The Love Boat.”
Crane also ventured into film, with roles in “Man-Trap” (1961), “The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz” (1968), “Superdad” (1973), and “Gus” (1976). He performed in dinner theaters, having purchased the rights to the comedy play “Beginner’s Luck.” He toured with the play in cities such as St. Petersburg, Florida; La Mirada, California; and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Personal Life and Relationships
Bob Crane’s personal life played a role in his financial situation. In 1949, he married Anne Terzian, with whom he had three children: Robert, Deborah, and Karen. They divorced in 1970 following Crane’s affair with Cynthia Lynn, his “Hogan’s Heroes” co-star. Crane then married Sigrid Valdis, who replaced Lynn on the show. Their wedding took place on the set of “Hogan’s Heroes,” with Richard Dawson as the best man. With Valdis, Crane had a son named Scotty and an adopted daughter named Ana. The couple separated in 1977 but remained married until his death. These divorces contributed to the erosion of his wealth.
Financial Impact of Career Choices
While Crane experienced high earnings during his radio and early television career, the decline in his acting opportunities after “Hogan’s Heroes” had a significant financial impact. The cancellation of “The Bob Crane Show” in 1975 after just 13 episodes was a setback. The income from dinner theater performances was not enough to offset the loss of revenue from more prominent roles in television and film. His choices, like investing into a theatre play, might have not brought enough revenue to sustain his wealth.
Legal and Financial Issues
After Crane’s death in 1978, the subsequent investigation into his murder revealed details about his personal life that further impacted his legacy. The investigation uncovered a large collection of personal videotapes showing his sexual activities, which led to the involvement of John Henry Carpenter, a friend and co-conspirator. Carpenter’s car contained blood matching Crane’s type, though the lack of DNA testing at the time made the case inconclusive. Carpenter was later charged with Crane’s murder in 1992 but was acquitted in 1994. These legal issues and the negative publicity surrounding his death further complicated the assessment of his estate and financial affairs.
Net Worth Overview
In summary, Bob Crane’s $150,000 net worth at the time of his death reflects a combination of high earnings during his peak years in radio and television, followed by a decline in his career and significant financial losses due to divorces. Despite his early success and the popularity of “Hogan’s Heroes,” his later career choices and personal life contributed to a more modest final net worth. The film “Auto Focus,” released in 2002, explored Crane’s life and death, although its accuracy was questioned by Crane’s son, Scotty. The specific details of his financial investments, property holdings, and other assets remain largely undocumented publicly, making a comprehensive evaluation of his net worth challenging.
