Net Worth Ranker
What Is Robert Vaughn’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on November 11, 2016, at the age of 83, American actor Robert Vaughn had a net worth of $5 million. This figure represents the culmination of a career spanning over six decades in television, film, and stage productions.
Early Life and Education
Born on November 22, 1932, in New York City, Robert Vaughn’s early life was influenced by his parents’ involvement in the entertainment industry. His mother, Marcella, was a stage actress, and his father, Gerald, worked in radio. Following his parents’ divorce, Vaughn spent his formative years with his grandparents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a major in journalism. However, his academic path shifted after a year when he decided to move to Los Angeles with his mother.
In Los Angeles, Vaughn furthered his education by attending Los Angeles City College and later Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences. From the latter institution, he obtained a master’s degree in theater. His pursuit of knowledge didn’t end there; after a stint as a drill sergeant in the US Army, Vaughn returned to academia to earn a PhD in communications from the University of Southern California in 1970.
Television Career
Robert Vaughn’s television career began in late 1955 with an appearance in an episode of the NBC series “Medic.” This marked the beginning of an extensive career, encompassing over 200 episodic roles across six decades. During the latter half of the 1950s, he secured appearances in shows like “Gunsmoke,” “Father Knows Best,” “The Rifleman,” “Wagon Train,” and “Bronco,” establishing himself as a versatile actor.
The early 1960s saw Vaughn’s presence on television continue to grow with roles in “The Rebel,” “Bonanza,” “The Eleventh Hour,” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” His breakthrough came in 1964 when he landed the main role of Napoleon Solo, a suave secret agent, in the spy drama series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” Co-starring David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin, Vaughn appeared in all four seasons of the show, which concluded in early 1968.
Following the success of “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” Vaughn secured another main role in the British action thriller series “The Protectors,” which aired from 1972 to 1974. He also made guest appearances on shows such as “Columbo,” “The Feather and Father Gang,” and “The Eddie Capra Mysteries.” Additionally, Vaughn featured in several miniseries, including “Washington: Behind Closed Doors,” for which he won an Emmy Award, “Centennial,” and “Backstairs at the White House.”
The 1980s saw Vaughn taking on roles in television films such as “Inside the Third Reich,” “Private Sessions,” and “Murrow.” He also appeared in the miniseries “The Blue and the Gray” and “The Last Bastion,” and played General Hunt Stockwell in the fifth season of “The A-Team.” Although his career slowed somewhat in the 1990s, Vaughn continued to act, with credits including “Danger Theatre,” “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues,” “The Nanny,” and “Law & Order.”
In 2004, Vaughn experienced a career resurgence with his role as Albert Stroller in the British crime drama series “Hustle.” He starred in all eight seasons of the show, which ran until 2012. His final television appearance came in 2012 when he played Milton Fanshaw on the British soap opera “Coronation Street.”
Film Career
Robert Vaughn’s film career began with an uncredited role in the 1956 Biblical epic “The Ten Commandments.” His first credited role came in the 1957 Western “Hell’s Crossroads,” followed by an appearance in the film noir “No Time to Be Young” that same year. He went on to appear in “Teenage Cave Man,” “Unwed Mother,” and “Good Day for a Hanging.”
One of Vaughn’s most acclaimed performances came at the end of the 1950s with his portrayal of Chester Gwynn in the legal drama “The Young Philadelphians.” His work in this film earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
At the beginning of the 1960s, Vaughn played gunman Lee in the Western “The Magnificent Seven.” He subsequently appeared in “The Big Show” and “The Caretakers.” Beginning in 1964, Vaughn reprised his role as Napoleon Solo in a series of feature films based on or edited from his show “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” During this decade, he also secured notable roles in “The Venetian Affair,” “Bullitt,” and “The Bridge at Remagen.”
Vaughn’s film credits in the 1970s include “The Mind of Mr. Soames,” “The Statue,” “The Man from Independence,” “The Towering Inferno,” “Demon Seed,” and “Brass Target.” In the early 1980s, he appeared in “Hangar 18,” “Battle Beyond the Stars,” “S.O.B.,” “Superman III,” and “Great Transport.” The latter half of the decade saw him in “Black Moon Rising,” “Hour of the Assassin,” “Killing Birds,” and “That’s Adequate.”
Throughout the 1990s, Vaughn continued to act steadily, with roles in the horror film “Buried Alive,” the musical comedy “Joe’s Apartment,” and the sports comedy “BASEketball,” which marked his 100th feature film. In the 21st century, he appeared in “Pootie Tang” and “Happy Hour.” His final film credits include “Excuse Me for Living,” “The American Side,” and “Gold Star,” which was released in 2016.
Stage Career
Robert Vaughn’s stage career began in 1955 with his portrayal of Judas Iscariot in “The Pilgrimage” in Hollywood. After a hiatus, he returned to the theater in 1979 in “The Real Inspector Hound.” His subsequent stage credits included “Inherit the Wind,” “Love Letters,” and “Twelve Angry Men.” These roles further showcased his versatility as an actor across different mediums.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Robert Vaughn was married to actress Linda Staab from 1974 until his death 42 years later. Together, they adopted two children, Cassidy and Caitlin, and resided in Ridgefield, Connecticut. In 1997, Robert Vaughn purchased a mansion situated on over 3 acres in Ridgefield, Connecticut, for $833,000. Following his death, his heirs sold the property in April 2021 for $1.21 million. While the exact details of his other assets aren’t publicly available, the sale of the Connecticut estate provides insight into his real estate holdings and their contribution to his overall net worth. The information above contributes directly to understanding Robert Vaughn’s Net Worth and how it accumulated through his career and investments.
