Shari Lewis Net Worth

What Is Shari Lewis’ Net Worth?

At the time of her death in August 1998, Shari Lewis, the celebrated American ventriloquist, puppeteer, television host, and children’s entertainer, had a net worth of $2 million. This valuation reflects her successful career spanning several decades in the entertainment industry.

Shari Lewis’ Career and Earnings

Shari Lewis, born Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz on January 17, 1933, in The Bronx, New York, began her career early and achieved widespread recognition for her work in children’s entertainment. She was best known for her sock puppet character, Lamb Chop, which debuted on television in March 1956 on *Captain Kangaroo*. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful career in television.

Her television career included several shows where she was the main host and puppeteer:

• *Shariland* (1956-1958): This early TV series helped establish her presence in the industry.
• *The Shari Lewis Show* (1960-1963): Replacing *Howdy Doody* on NBC, this show significantly boosted her profile.
• *The Shari Lewis (BBC)* (1968-1975): Her influence extended to the UK with this BBC series.
• *The Shari Show* (1975-1976): Another series that kept her connected with her audience.
• *Lamb Chop’s Play-Along* (1992-1997): A hit PBS series that engaged children through interactive play, demonstrating her enduring appeal.
• *The Charlie Horse Music Pizza* (1998-1999): A musical education program, co-produced by Golden Books Family Entertainment, which debuted shortly before her death and continued to air repeats through the fall of 1998. Three new episodes had already been taped for the fall season.

Her income was derived from multiple sources, including television contracts, royalties from over 60 children’s books she authored, live performances, and licensing deals for Lamb Chop merchandise. As the owner of the rights to several puppet characters, she also benefited from their commercial success.

In addition to her television work and books, Lewis released several albums, including *Lamb Chop’s Sing-Along, Play Along*, which added to her revenue streams.

Lewis also co-wrote an episode of *Star Trek* titled “The Lights of Zetar” (1969) with her husband, Jeremy Tarcher, showcasing her diverse creative talents.

Accolades and Achievements

Shari Lewis received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, underscoring her significant impact on children’s entertainment:

• 12 Emmy Awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and seven Daytime Emmy Awards.
• A Peabody Award in 1960.
• The Monte Carlo Prize for the World’s Best Television Variety Show in 1963.
• The John F. Kennedy Center Award for Excellence and Creativity in 1983.
• A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6743 Hollywood Blvd. awarded in 1976.
• She also received seven Parents’ Choice Awards and the Action for Children’s Television Award.
• In 1995, she won the American Academy of Children’s Entertainment award for Entertainer of the Year.
• She won three Houston Film Festival awards.
• She received the Silver Circle Award of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1996.
• She was awarded the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence in 1996.
• She received an honorary degree from Hofstra University in 1993.
• Posthumously, she was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award in 1998.

These accolades reflect her commitment to quality children’s programming and her significant influence in the entertainment industry.

Personal Life and Other Ventures

Shari Lewis was married twice. Her first marriage was to Stan Lewis, an advertising executive, in 1953; they divorced in 1957. On March 18, 1958, she married Jeremy Tarcher, a television producer. Their marriage lasted until her death. Together, they had one daughter, Mallory Tarcher, who later changed her name to Mallory Lewis and continued her mother’s work with Lamb Chop in 2000.

Mallory described her parents’ marriage as one where her mother was the breadwinner. Shari earned significantly more than her father, and she managed various aspects of her career, including writing books, conducting symphonies, and handling licensing and merchandising deals.

Lewis was not only a performer but also a musician, playing both the violin and piano. She conducted major orchestras, including the National Symphony in Washington and the Pittsburgh Symphony, showcasing her multifaceted talents.

In 1997, Shari Lewis sold Shari Lewis Enterprises Inc. to Golden Books Family Entertainment. When Golden Books filed for bankruptcy, the rights to Lamb Chop were transferred to Classic Media, which was later acquired by DreamWorks Animation and is now part of NBCUniversal.

Philanthropy and Legacy

Shari Lewis was deeply committed to children’s education and advocated for quality programming on PBS and other public broadcasting channels. She supported numerous charities focused on child welfare and used her platform to promote literacy and education.

Shari Lewis passed away on August 2, 1998, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 65, due to uterine cancer and viral pneumonia. Her legacy continues through reruns of her shows and a documentary titled *Shari & Lamb Chop*, directed by Lisa D’Apolito, which celebrates her life and enduring impact on pop culture.

Real Estate and Assets

Specific details about Shari Lewis’ real estate holdings and other assets are not widely available in public records. However, it is known that she lived comfortably and invested much of her resources into creating high-quality children’s programming. Any additional properties or assets beyond her immediate professional endeavors remain largely undocumented in publicly accessible sources.