Net Worth Ranker
What Is Red Skelton’s Net Worth?
Red Skelton, a celebrated American entertainer, had a net worth of $16 million at the time of his death on September 17, 1997. Adjusting for inflation, this equates to approximately $30 million in today’s dollars. Skelton’s financial success stemmed from a diverse career spanning radio, television, film, and art. His enduring legacy continues to captivate audiences, underscoring his impact on the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Richard “Red” Skelton was born on July 18, 1913, in Vincennes, Indiana. His early life was marked by hardship following the death of his father, Joseph, two months prior to his birth. To support his family, which included his mother, Ida, and three older brothers – Denny, Christopher, and Paul – Skelton took on various jobs, including selling newspapers. Recognizing his comedic talent, he left school and began working on a showboat, eventually joining the burlesque circuit and a traveling medicine show. In the early 1930s, he served as a master of ceremonies for dance marathons. There are no documented specific figures related to his income during these early ventures, though they were instrumental in developing his performance skills and comedic timing.
Vaudeville and Radio Success
In 1931, Skelton married Edna Stillwell, a writer, and together they created a vaudeville act. They performed in small theaters across the Midwest before moving east to Camden, New Jersey, and eventually securing engagements in New York City and Montreal. At Loew’s State Theatre in New York, they debuted their popular “Doughnut Dunkers” pantomime routine. This routine gained the attention of President Roosevelt, who appointed Skelton as the master of ceremonies for his birthday celebrations at the White House. Specific financial details from these vaudeville performances are not publicly available, but they laid the foundation for his later success.
Skelton’s radio career began with a guest appearance on “The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour” in 1937. His popularity led to him becoming the host of “Avalon Time” in 1938, replacing Red Foley. In 1941, he launched his own radio show, “The Raleigh Cigarette Program.” This show introduced his character Junior, known for the catchphrase “I dood it!” While precise financial figures for his radio contracts are not available, the show’s popularity solidified his status as a leading entertainer. “The Raleigh Cigarette Program” ran until 1944, when Skelton joined the US Army, serving in the Special Services and performing for troops in the US and Europe. He resumed his radio show on NBC after his release in September 1945.
Television Career and “The Red Skelton Show”
In the spring of 1951, Skelton signed a television contract with NBC, launching “The Red Skelton Show” later that year. The show aired on NBC until 1953, when it moved to CBS, remaining there until 1970. In 1962, the program was extended to an hour and renamed “The Red Skelton Hour.” Although the show was highly rated, it was canceled in 1970 due to networks discontinuing long-running programs. Skelton returned to NBC with a half-hour version of his show for one season before its final cancellation in 1971. While specific salary details from his television contracts are not publicly accessible, the show’s longevity and popularity indicate a substantial income during this period.
The show’s format typically included comedy sketches, musical performances, and pantomime acts, showcasing Skelton’s versatility and talent. Guest stars frequently appeared, adding to the show’s appeal. Skelton’s memorable characters, such as Freddie the Freeloader and Clem Kadiddlehopper, became iconic figures in television history. The exact viewership numbers and ratings varied over the years, but “The Red Skelton Show” consistently ranked among the top programs during its run on both NBC and CBS. These ratings translated into significant advertising revenue for the networks, contributing to Skelton’s overall financial success.
Film Career
Skelton’s film debut was in 1938 with a supporting role in the RKO romantic comedy “Having Wonderful Time.” In the 1940s, he appeared in numerous films for MGM, including “Flight Command,” “Dr. Kildare’s Wedding Day,” “Whistling in the Dark,” “Lady Be Good,” “Ship Ahoy,” “I Dood It,” “Bathing Beauty,” “A Southern Yankee,” and “Neptune’s Daughter.” His films in the 1950s included “Excuse My Dust,” “Texas Carnival,” “The Clown,” and “The Great Diamond Robbery.” Skelton’s last major film role was in the 1957 comedy “Public Pigeon No. 1,” with brief roles later in “Ocean’s 11” and “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.” The exact salaries he earned from these films are not publicly disclosed, but his prolific work with MGM and other studios contributed significantly to his overall net worth.
Art Career and Other Ventures
Beyond his performing career, Skelton was a successful artist, known for his oil paintings of clowns. He reproduced these paintings as lithographic prints, which reportedly earned him around $2.5 million annually. His art dealer suggested that Skelton made more money from his paintings than from his television work. Specific details about his art sales, such as the number of prints sold or the average price per print, are not publicly available. However, the annual revenue figure of $2.5 million indicates a thriving and profitable art business.
Skelton also wrote short stories and composed music, allegedly writing at least one short story per week and composing over 8,000 songs and symphonies by the time of his death. He sold many of his compositions to Muzak, a background music company. Details about the specific number of compositions sold or the financial terms of these sales are not publicly known. Skelton was also an avid photographer, gardener, and a Freemason, belonging to both the Scottish and York Rites.
Late Career and Legacy
After his television show ended, Skelton focused on live performances, doing up to 125 dates annually in nightclubs, casinos, and other venues. He continued performing live until his 80th birthday in 1993. He also appeared on television specials, including HBO’s “Freddie the Freeloader’s Christmas Dinner.” He received numerous awards, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Governor’s Award, and the Screen Actors Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1994, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Specific income figures from his live performances and television specials during this period are not publicly available.
Skelton’s legacy continues through his extensive body of work and the many entertainers he inspired. In 2006, the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center was dedicated at Vincennes University. In 2013, the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy opened next door. The town of Vincennes holds the annual Red Skelton Festival, featuring family activities, live music, and the “Parade of a Thousand Clowns.” These tributes and institutions serve as lasting reminders of his impact on American comedy.
Marriages and Family
Skelton was married three times. His first marriage was to Edna Stillwell in 1931, whom he met when she won a dance marathon he was emceeing. They collaborated on comedy routines and divorced in 1943. Stillwell remained a career advisor until 1952. Skelton was briefly engaged to actress Muriel Morris in 1944. He married actress Georgia Davis in 1945, and they had two children, Valentina and Richard. Richard passed away from leukemia in 1958 at the age of nine. Davis fatally shot herself in 1976 on the anniversary of Richard’s death. Skelton married Lothian Toland in 1973, and they remained together until his death. Details about any financial settlements or arrangements related to his marriages are not publicly available.
Death and Rancho Mirage Estate
Red Skelton died of pneumonia on September 17, 1997, in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 84. His widow, Lothian, donated many of his personal and professional effects to Vincennes University in his hometown. In August 2023, Lothian pledged $4 million to the university to build an art gallery named in his honor.
In 1986, Red and Lothian Skelton purchased a 602-acre ranch near Rancho Mirage, California. The property included a 10,000 square foot main house, a 10-car garage, multiple guest structures, barns, and stables. Lothian attempted to sell the ranch in 2015 for $9.5 million. The price was reduced several times before being taken off the market in 2020, at which point the asking price was $4 million. The details surrounding the eventual sale, if any, are not widely publicized, but the fluctuating price indicates the property’s market value at the time.
