What is Robert Vaughn's Net Worth?
Robert Vaughn was an American actor who had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his death. Vaughn died on November 11, 2016 at the age of 83. Robert Vaughn was best known for playing secret agent Napoleon Solo on the 60s television spy drama series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." He later had main roles on the series "The Protectors" and "Hustle." Vaughn was also prolific on the big screen, appearing in such films as "The Magnificent Seven," "Bullitt," and "The Young Philadelphians," the lattermost of which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Early Life and Education
Robert Vaughn was born on November 22, 1932 in New York City to stage actress Marcella and radio actor Gerald. After his parents divorced, he lived with his grandparents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, Vaughn went to the University of Minnesota, majoring in journalism. He ultimately dropped out after a year to move to Los Angeles with his mother. In LA, Vaughn attended Los Angeles City College and then Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences. From the latter, he earned his master's degree in theater. After spending some time as a drill sergeant in the US Army, Vaughn returned to school to obtain his PhD in communications from the University of Southern California. He graduated in 1970.
Television Career
Vaughn debuted on television in late 1955, appearing in an episode of the NBC series "Medic." He would go on to have a prolific career on the small screen, with over 200 episodic roles over six decades. In the latter half of the 50s, he had notable appearances on such shows as "Gunsmoke," "Father Knows Best," "The Rifleman," "Wagon Train," and "Bronco." His credits in the early 60s included "The Rebel," "Bonanza," "The Eleventh Hour," and "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Vaughn landed his first main role in 1964, playing suave secret agent Napoleon Solo on the spy drama series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." He starred opposite David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin for all four of the show's seasons through early 1968. Vaughn's next main role was on the British action thriller series "The Protectors," which ran from 1972 to 1974. After that, he appeared in episodes of "Columbo," "The Feather and Father Gang," and "The Eddie Capra Mysteries." Additionally, Vaughn appeared in a number of miniseries, including "Washington: Behind Closed Doors," "Centennial," and "Backstairs at the White House." He won an Emmy Award for his performance in the former.
Vaughn acted in many television films in the 80s, such as "Inside the Third Reich," "Private Sessions," and "Murrow." He was also 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." Vaughn's career slowed slightly in the 90s; his credits included "Danger Theatre," "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues," "The Nanny," and "Law & Order." In 2004, he experienced a career resurgence with his role as Albert Stroller on the British crime drama series "Hustle." He starred in that role for all eight seasons of the show through 2012. That year, Vaughn had his final television role, playing Milton Fanshaw on the British soap opera "Coronation Street."
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Film Career
After appearing in an uncredited part in the 1956 Biblical epic "The Ten Commandments," Vaughn had his first credited role in the 1957 Western "Hell's Crossroads." That same year, he appeared in the film noir "No Time to Be Young." His subsequent credits were "Teenage Cave Man," "Unwed Mother," and "Good Day for a Hanging." Vaughn concluded the 50s with one of his most acclaimed performances, playing Chester Gwynn in the legal drama "The Young Philadelphians." He earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work. Vaughn had another major role to begin the 60s, playing gunman Lee in the Western "The Magnificent Seven." He next 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 the decade, he also had notable roles in "The Venetian Affair," "Bullitt," and "The Bridge at Remagen."
Vaughn's credits in the 70s include "The Mind of Mr. Soames," "The Statue," "The Man from Independence," "The Towering Inferno," "Demon Seed," and "Brass Target." In the early 80s, he appeared in such films as "Hangar 18," "Battle Beyond the Stars," "S.O.B.," "Superman III," and "Great Transport." His credits in the latter half of the decade include "Black Moon Rising," "Hour of the Assassin," "Killing Birds," and "That's Adequate." Vaughn continued acting steadily throughout the 90s, appearing in such titles as the horror film "Buried Alive," the musical comedy "Joe's Apartment," and the sports comedy "BASEketball," his 100th feature film. Kicking off the 21st century, Vaughn was in "Pootie Tang" and "Happy Hour." Among his final credits were "Excuse Me for Living," "The American Side," and his last film, "Gold Star," which came out in 2016.
Stage Career
On the stage, Vaughn made his debut in 1955 playing Judas Iscariot in "The Pilgrimage" in Hollywood. He didn't return to theater until 1979 in "The Real Inspector Hound." His later stage credits were "Inherit the Wind," "Love Letters," and "Twelve Angry Men."
Personal Life and Death
Vaughn was married to actress Linda Staab from 1974 until his passing 42 years later. The pair adopted two children, Cassidy and Caitlin, and lived in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
Robert Vaughn passed away while in hospice in late 2016, less than two weeks before his 84th birthday.
Connecticut Estate
In 1997 Robert paid $833,000 for a mansion set on over 3 acres in Ridgefield, Connecticut. His heirs sold the home in April 2021 for $1.21 million.
