Michele Lee Net Worth

Overview

Michele Lee is an American actress, singer, director, and former game show panelist. Born Michele Lee Dusick on June 24, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, she began her career in the late 1950s. Lee made her Broadway debut at 19 in ‘How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’. She received a Tony Award nomination for ‘Seesaw’ in 1974. Her most notable TV role was as Karen Cooper Fairgate MacKenzie on ‘Knots Landing’ (1979-1993), appearing in nearly 350 episodes and winning several Soap Opera Digest Awards. Lee has also starred in films like ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ (1967), ‘The Comic’ (1969), and ‘The Love Bug’ (1969). She continues to perform in concerts and is involved in community endeavors, including co-founding The Entertainment Industries Council (EIC). Michele Lee received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998.

What Is Michele Lee’s Net Worth?

As of recent estimates, Michele Lee, the American actress, singer, director, and former game show panelist, has a net worth of $8 million. This figure reflects her successful career spanning several decades in various entertainment fields.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Michele Lee Dusick was born on June 24, 1942, in Los Angeles, California. Michele’s parents were Sylvia Helen (née Silverstein) and Jack Dusick, a makeup artist. Growing up in Hollywood, she attended Alexander Hamilton High School where she showcased her talent as the lead singer for the school band during her tenth grade. Prior to graduating from Hamilton, Michele’s career began after she landed her first role in the Broadway revue, “Vintage ’60”.

Her initial foray into television started at the age of 19, with an appearance in “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” in 1961. Following her performance in the film version of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” she gained recognition for her roles in films such as “The Comic” (1969) alongside Dick Van Dyke and Disney’s “The Love Bug” (1969), where she played alongside Dean Jones. “The Love Bug” went on to become the second-highest-grossing film of 1969 in the United States.

Broadway Success and Television Roles

Michele Lee’s career included significant roles on Broadway. At 19, she starred in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”. In 1974, she earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in “Seesaw”.

Her most prominent television role came in 1979 when she began portraying Karen Cooper Fairgate MacKenzie on the CBS primetime soap opera “Knots Landing,” a spin-off of “Dallas”. She starred in nearly 350 episodes from 1979 to 1993 and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1982 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Throughout her time on “Knots Landing,” Lee won several Soap Opera Digest Awards, including Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role in Prime Time three times.

Other Notable Works and Achievements

Michele Lee’s extensive filmography includes roles in “The Love Bug” (1969), “The Comic” (1969), and appearances in TV series like “Night Gallery,” “Alias Smith and Jones,” “Fantasy Island,” “Will & Grace,” and “Family Guy.” She also produced and starred in several television films, including “Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story” and “Color Me Perfect”, which earned her a Christopher Award and a Gracie Allen Award.

In 2000, Michele Lee received a Tony Award nomination for her role in Charles Busch’s “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.” Michele Lee was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Personal Life

Michele Lee has been married twice. Her first marriage was to James Farentino, her co-star in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”. After divorcing Farentino in 1983, she married Fred Rappaport in 1987. She has one son, David Farentino. Michele has participated in civil human rights associations, associations to combat AIDS and combat alcohol abuse among young people.