Net Worth Ranker
What Is Hervé Villechaize’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death, Hervé Villechaize, the French American actor and painter best known for his roles in “The Man with the Golden Gun” and “Fantasy Island,” had a net worth of approximately $100,000. This figure represents the culmination of earnings from his diverse career, which included acting in film and television, as well as his artistic endeavors. The amount does not include potential posthumous earnings or valuations related to his estate.
Hervé Villechaize’s Early Career and Financial Beginnings
Hervé Villechaize was born on April 23, 1943, in Paris, France. Growing up during the Nazi occupation, his early life was marked by the challenges of dwarfism, a condition that led to bullying at school but also spurred his interest in painting. His formal art education began at the École des Beaux-Arts in 1959 when he was just 16 years old. By 1961, at the age of 18, Villechaize achieved a significant milestone by becoming the youngest artist ever to have his work displayed in the Museum of Paris. This early recognition suggests that Villechaize’s artistic talents may have started generating some income, though specific financial details from this period are not publicly available. Villechaize moved to the United States in 1964 to further pursue his artistic career. During his initial years in New York City, he primarily supported himself as a painter and photographer, alongside occasional auditions for Off-Broadway productions. While these early roles provided exposure, the financial returns were likely modest. His transition to film began with minor roles in movies such as “Chappaqua” (1966) and “Item 72-D: The Adventures of Spa and Fon” (1969), but these early film appearances did not immediately translate into substantial earnings. It wasn’t until the mid-1970s that Villechaize’s acting career began to provide a more stable and significant income.
The Rise to Fame and “Fantasy Island” Salary
Villechaize’s net worth began to grow significantly with his role as Nick Nack in “The Man with the Golden Gun” (1974), a popular James Bond film. This role catapulted him to international recognition, leading to more lucrative opportunities in Hollywood. Before landing the role, Villechaize was struggling financially, even living in his car and working as an assistant to a rat catcher. While specific earnings from “The Man with the Golden Gun” are not publicly documented, the film’s success undoubtedly improved Villechaize’s financial standing and opened doors to more prominent roles. His role as Tattoo in “Fantasy Island,” which began in 1977, marked the peak of his earning potential. At the height of his popularity on “Fantasy Island,” Hervé Villechaize was earning $25,000 per episode. Adjusting for inflation, this would be approximately $70,000 per episode in today’s dollars. However, this income was not enough to satisfy Villechaize. In 1983, he demanded to be paid the same as Ricardo Montalbán, who was earning $40,000 per episode. ABC responded by firing him from the show. Based on his peak salary of $25,000 per episode, if Villechaize appeared in approximately 20 episodes per season, his annual income from “Fantasy Island” would have been around $500,000 per year during his most successful years on the show.
Post “Fantasy Island” Finances and Financial Difficulties
Following his departure from “Fantasy Island” in 1983, Villechaize experienced a significant decline in his financial status. Having reportedly spent his earnings, he was forced to sell his ranch and move into a smaller house in North Hollywood. By 1986, it was reported that Hervé had spent the $3.6 million he earned during his time on Fantasy Island, which is roughly equivalent to $8 million today. Villechaize was compelled to accept lower-paying jobs, which only provided him with an income of $500 a month. These financial difficulties contributed to his growing depression and health problems, factors that ultimately led to his tragic death in 1993. The loss of a stable, high-paying role like Tattoo had a cascading effect on Villechaize’s financial situation, leading to a rapid depletion of his once substantial earnings.
Personal Life, Marriages, and Lifestyle
Villechaize’s personal life included two marriages. He married his first wife, Anne Sadowski, in 1970, and they divorced in 1979. During this marriage, he also had a two-year relationship with actress Susan Tyrell and shared a home with her in Los Angeles. Following his divorce from Sadowski, he married his second wife, actress Camille Hagen, in 1980. They met on the set of the “Fantasy Island” pilot but divorced in 1982. These relationships and marriages likely had financial implications, including divorce settlements and shared expenses, though specific details are not publicly available. Beyond his acting career, Villechaize was an active member of a movement in California during the 1970s and 1980s that dealt with child abuse and neglect. He would often go to crime scenes to help comfort victims of abuse and would even confront abusers. Villechaize’s dedication to this cause was driven by his own experiences with bullying and discrimination due to his dwarfism. In 1983, he was interviewed for “The Teen Show,” where he openly discussed his many suicide attempts and how he had slowly been able to learn to love himself. The show was directed at teens struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. Villechaize’s transparency about his struggles highlighted his compassionate nature. His efforts to support and advocate for others, combined with his personal battles, paint a picture of a man who used his platform to make a positive impact despite his own challenges.
Hervé Villechaize’s Death and Legacy
Hervé Villechaize died in 1993 at his North Hollywood home. Police were called to the residence by his girlfriend, Kathy Self, who reported that Villechaize had attempted to shoot her before shooting himself. He left a suicide note detailing his depression resulting from long-term health issues and chronic pain. His death was a tragic end to a career marked by both success and hardship. Villechaize’s story has been revisited and re-examined in subsequent years. In 2018, HBO released “My Dinner with Hervé,” a film based on a lengthy interview conducted with Villechaize by Sascha Gervasi prior to his death. Peter Dinklage, who also has dwarfism, portrayed Villechaize in the film. The movie delves into Villechaize’s life, struggles, and career, offering a more nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of the actor. The film likely brought renewed attention to Villechaize’s work and life, though any posthumous earnings or financial benefits would primarily go to his estate and heirs.
