Net Worth Ranker
What Was Patrick Macnee’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in June 2015, Patrick Macnee, the English actor, producer, and author, had a net worth of approximately $3 million. This figure represents the culmination of a career spanning several decades, encompassing various roles in film, television, and theatre, as well as his work as an author and producer.
Details of Patrick Macnee’s Acting Career and Earnings
Macnee’s career was marked by over 170 acting credits, with his most iconic role being that of John Steed in the British television series “The Avengers” (1961–1969). “The Avengers” ran for 161 episodes across six seasons. Though specific salary details for his work on “The Avengers” are not publicly available, the show’s popularity would have undoubtedly translated into substantial earnings for Macnee. The show earned two Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Dramatic Series, further cementing its success and Macnee’s value as its lead.
He also reprised the role in “The New Avengers” (1976–1977). Beyond “The Avengers,” Macnee appeared in numerous films, including “A Christmas Carol” (1951), where he played Scrooge, “King Solomon’s Treasure” (1979), “The Howling” (1981), “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984), where he played Sir Denis Eton-Hogg, “A View to a Kill” (1985), in which he portrayed Sir Godfrey Tibbett, and “Masque of the Red Death” (1989). His presence in “A View to a Kill,” a James Bond film, likely contributed significantly to his earnings that year, although specific figures remain undisclosed.
Macnee also appeared in many television series, such as “Tales of Adventure” (1952–1953), “Encounter” (1952–1960), “Battlestar Galactica” (1978–1979), “Gavilan” (1982–1983) where he starred as Milo Bentley, “Empire” (1984), “Lime Street” (1985–1986) playing Sir Geoffrey Rimbatten, “P.S.I. Luv U” (1991), “Thunder in Paradise” (1994) as Edward Whitaker, and “Nightman” (1997–1998) with a recurring role as Dr. Walton. Each of these roles, varying in prominence, contributed to his overall income, though specific contract details are not publicly accessible.
He also played Demetrius in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (1954) and Andrew Wyke in “Sleuth” (1972–1973) on Broadway. Broadway salaries vary significantly based on the play’s success and the actor’s role, but these performances would have added to his annual income during those periods.
In addition to acting, Macnee worked as a producer on the TV series “Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years” in the early 1960s. Producing credits generally involve a percentage of the show’s profits, which would have augmented his income during those years. He also authored several books, including “Avengers: Deadline” (1965), “Avengers: Dead Duck” (1966), “Blind in One Ear: The Avenger Returns” (1988), and “The Avengers: The Inside Story” (2008). Royalties from book sales would have provided a supplemental income stream.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Daniel Patrick Macnee on February 6, 1922, in Paddington, London, England, he attended Summer Fields School in Oxford and Eton College in Berkshire. While specific details about his early income are unavailable, his family background suggests a privileged upbringing. Macnee enrolled at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art to study acting. His early career included uncredited roles in films such as “Pygmalion” (1938), “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp” (1943), “Hamlet” (1948), and “The Small Back Room” (1949). He also appeared in “The Fatal Night” (1948) and “All Over the Town” (1949), and played Edgar Linton in the 1948 BBC adaptation “Wuthering Heights.” These early roles, though often minor, provided him with valuable experience and initial earnings in the acting profession.
In the 1950s, Macnee’s career began to gain momentum with appearances in films like “The Girl Is Mine” (1950), “Dick Barton at Bay” (1950), “The Fighting Pimpernel” (1950), “The Battle of the River Plate” (1956), and “Les Girls” (1957). He also played Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” (1951). These roles, along with his appearances in 12 episodes of “Tales of Adventure” (1952–1953), gradually increased his income and established him as a working actor in the industry.
Real Estate and Personal Life
In 2000, Patrick Macnee purchased a home in Rancho Mirage, California, for $400,000. The property, measuring over 3,000 square feet, featured three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The family sold the property in 2022 for $870,000. This real estate investment contributed to his overall net worth, reflecting a significant appreciation in value over the years.
Macnee married Barbara Douglas in November 1942, and they had two children, Jenny and Rupert, before divorcing in 1956. He later married actress Katherine Woodville on March 29, 1965; they divorced in 1969. His third marriage was to author Baba Majos de Nagyzsenye on February 25, 1988, and they remained married until her death in July 2007. In 1959, Macnee became an American citizen. These personal life events and decisions would have influenced his financial planning and estate.
Later Career and Final Years
In the 1980s and 1990s, Macnee continued to work steadily in film and television. He appeared in “The Sea Wolves” (1980), “The Hot Touch” (1981), “Young Doctors in Love” (1982), “Sweet Sixteen” (1983), “Shadey” (1985), “Waxwork” (1988), and “Masque of the Red Death” (1989). He also took roles in TV movies such as “Rehearsal for Murder” (1982), “Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (1983), and the “Dick Francis” series (1989). These roles provided a consistent income stream during his later years.
He starred as Edward Whitaker on the 1994 syndicated series “Thunder in Paradise.” He had a recurring role as Dr. Walton on the superhero series “Night Man” from 1997 to 1998. His guest appearances included “Spy Game” (1997), “Diagnosis: Murder” (1997), “Through the Keyhole” (1999), “Family Law” (2000), and “Frasier” (2001). Macnee’s final acting role was as Dr. Ballard in the 2003 film “The Low Budget Time Machine.” These later roles contributed to his income in the final years of his career.
Awards, Nominations, and Recognition
Patrick Macnee received two Bravo Otto nominations for Best Male TV Star, winning in 1968. This award recognized his popularity and likely boosted his market value. In 1967, he and Diana Rigg shared a Photoplay Award nomination for Favorite TV Program for “The Avengers.” At the 1983 Golden Camera awards, Patrick received an Honorary Camera for “30 Years of TV.” Awards and nominations often lead to increased opportunities and higher salaries in the entertainment industry.
Though precise figures are not available for every role and project, the aggregation of his earnings from acting, producing, writing, and real estate investments culminated in a net worth of $3 million at the time of his death.
