Overview

Mills Bee Lane III (November 12, 1937 – December 6, 2022) was an American boxing referee, professional boxer, judge, and television personality. He was best known for having officiated several major heavyweight championship boxing matches in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and for starring in the syndicated court show Judge Mills Lane. Lane was born in Savannah, Georgia, and hailed from a prominent family. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was the NCAA boxing champion. Lane transitioned to become a boxing referee in 1971, earning a reputation for his strict enforcement of the rules. Beyond boxing, Lane had a distinguished legal career, serving as a district court judge in Washoe County, Nevada. His legal expertise and charismatic persona led to a television career, including his role as the judge on the syndicated court show Judge Mills Lane and his involvement in MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch.

What Is Mills Lane’s Net Worth?

At the time of his passing on December 6, 2022, Mills Lane, a prominent figure in the boxing world and television, had an estimated net worth of $2 million. This figure represents the culmination of his earnings across various professional avenues, including his career as a boxing referee, his time as a professional boxer and judge, and his appearances as a television personality. While specific breakdowns of his income streams are not publicly available, we can examine his career milestones to understand the possible sources of his wealth.

Boxing Career and Earnings

Mills Lane’s career in boxing spanned several decades. He was a boxing referee from 1971 to 1998. During this period, he officiated over 100 championship fights. Specifics on the income earned per fight are not publicly known. However, high-profile bouts like “The Bite Fight” between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson on June 28, 1997, would have commanded higher fees for referees due to the event’s scale and importance. While we can’t pinpoint the exact amount Lane earned from this fight, it is likely to have been a significant contribution to his overall earnings for that year. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that he reached the semi-finals as a boxer at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. While this achievement likely didn’t directly translate to significant monetary gains at that time, it contributed to his reputation and subsequent career opportunities.

Before becoming a referee, Mills Lane served in the United States Marine Corps and was also an NCAA boxing champion. Details surrounding his earnings as an NCAA boxer are scarce. It’s unlikely that collegiate athletes in that era received substantial compensation. His military service would have provided a steady income and benefits during that period. Unfortunately, the precise amounts earned are not readily available for public consumption.

Television Career and Book Royalties

Lane transitioned to television, starring in the court TV series “Judge Mills Lane” from 1998 to 2001. While specific salary details for his television role remain undisclosed, court TV series hosts can command substantial salaries, particularly for syndicated programs that achieve widespread popularity. Given the show’s run of several seasons, Lane likely earned a considerable sum from this venture. Furthermore, Lane’s likeness was used for the MTV TV series “Celebrity Deathmatch”, premiering May 14, 1998. While the specifics of any licensing agreements or compensation related to the use of his image in “Celebrity Deathmatch” are not publicly available, it is probable that he received royalties or fees for this.

In addition to his on-screen work, Mills Lane authored two books: “Let’s Get It On: Tough Talk from Boxing’s Top Ref” and “Nevada’s Most Outspoken Judge.” While sales figures and royalty earnings for these books are not publicly accessible, authoring books can provide a supplemental income stream. The extent of his earnings from book sales would depend on factors such as publishing deals, marketing efforts, and overall sales volume. The book “Let’s Get It On: Tough Talk from Boxing’s Top Ref”, released on October 1, 1998, likely capitalized on his notoriety from “The Bite Fight” and the launch of his television show.

International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction

In 2013, Mills Lane was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. While induction into the Hall of Fame is primarily an honor and recognition of his contributions to the sport, it can also lead to increased opportunities for appearances, endorsements, and other revenue-generating activities. However, quantifiable data on specific financial gains resulting from his Hall of Fame induction are not publicly available.

Property, Investments, and Personal Assets

Information regarding Mills Lane’s specific property holdings, investment portfolios, or other personal assets is not publicly available. It is common for high-profile individuals to maintain privacy regarding their financial affairs. As such, details about real estate, stocks, bonds, or other investments that may have contributed to his overall net worth remain undisclosed. Without access to financial records, it is impossible to provide specific details on these aspects of his net worth.

© 2025 Net Worth Ranker / All Rights Reserved