Rodney Dangerfield Net Worth - Pulptastic

Publish date: 2024-06-12

What was Rodney Dangerfield’s Net Worth?

Rodney Dangerfield, an American comedian and actor, had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death in 2004. Adjusted for inflation, that’s equivalent to $30 million today. He was known for his sharp one-liners and Borscht Belt monologues, and gained popularity as a frequent guest on late night talk shows in the 1960s and 70s. Dangerfield was also a headlining act in Las Vegas and starred in the iconic 1980 comedy “Caddyshack,” where he famously delivered his catchphrase, “I don’t get no respect!”

Rodney Dangerfield’s Early Life and Career

Rodney Dangerfield was born Jacob Rodney Cohen in 1921 on Long Island, New York, to Dorothy Teitelbaum and Phillip Cohen, who were both Jewish and involved in show business. Dangerfield’s father was frequently absent, and his mother was emotionally distant. After his father left the family, Dangerfield moved to Queens with his mother and sister and attended Richmond Hill High School, where he graduated in 1939.

At the age of fifteen, Dangerfield began writing for stand-up comedians while performing at a resort in Ellenville, New York. He later changed his name to Jack Roy and struggled financially for almost ten years, taking on various odd jobs.

In the early 1960s, Dangerfield returned to the stage and performed at resorts in the Catskill Mountains. However, he still struggled to find success and realized he needed to develop a unique artistic persona. He adopted the name Rodney Dangerfield, which had previously been used for a character on a Jack Benny radio program in the 1940s. This character had also been marginalized by society, inspiring Dangerfield.

Rodney Dangerfield’s Career Highlights

In 1967, Dangerfield’s career took off when he appeared as a last-minute replacement on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” leading to headlining shows on the Las Vegas casino circuit. He also became a regular guest on “The Dean Martin Show” and “The Tonight Show,” making over 70 appearances on the latter.

In 1969, he partnered with Anthony Bevacqua to establish Dangerfield’s, a New York City comedy club that hosted HBO comedy specials featuring Bob Saget, Jim Carrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Rita Rudner, and Sam Kinison.

In 1980, Dangerfield won a Grammy for his comedy album “No Respect,” cementing his status as a successful comedian and entertainer.

Rodney Dangerfield’s Acting Career

Rodney Dangerfield’s acting career took off in the 1980s with successful comedies such as “Caddyshack,” “Easy Money,” and “Back to School.” He also appeared in family films and on television shows like “The Simpsons” and “Home Improvement.” In 1994, he played against type as an abusive father in “Natural Born Killers.” His last film role was playing God in 2005’s “Angels with Angles.”

Rodney Dangerfield’s Personal Life

Rodney Dangerfield was married three times in his life. His first two marriages were to Joyce Indig, from 1951 to 1961 and then from 1963 to 1970. Together they had two children, Brian Roy and Melanie Roy-Friedman. In 1993, Dangerfield married Joan Child and they remained together until his death in 2004.

Dangerfield suffered a mild heart attack during a stand-up routine on “The Tonight Show” in 2001 and underwent heart valve-replacement surgery shortly after. He passed away three years later at the age of 82. Dangerfield is buried in Los Angeles’ Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, with his headstone epitaph reading, in characteristically self-deprecating fashion, “There goes the neighborhood.”

Rodney Dangerfield’s Legacy

Rodney Dangerfield’s impact is wide-reaching. In 2005, UCLA’s Division of Neurosurgery named a suite of operating rooms after him, and honored him with the inaugural Rodney Respect Award.

The following year, Comedy Central aired the special “Legends: Rodney Dangerfield” to commemorate his life; it featured comedians such as Chris Rock, Ray Romano, and Jerry Stiller.

Dangerfield is also known as the first celebrity to personally own and create content for a website, which he did in 1995. Relaunched by Dangerfield’s widow in 2013, the website has since garnered multiple Webby Award nominations and one win.

Other marks of his legacy include a 2014 posthumous honorary doctorate from Manhattanville College, and the Rodney Dangerfield Institute of Comedy, a stand-up comedy class taught at the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy. The comic has also been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, which put on display his trademark white shirts and red ties.

Rodney Dangerfield’s Real Estate Holdings

At the end of his life, Rodney Dangerfield and his wife Joan owned two properties in Los Angeles – a condo on Wilshire Blvd and a home in Little Holmby. After his death, Joan sold the properties for $3.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

In May 2005, Joan used the proceeds from those sales to purchase a $6 million home on Blue Jay Way in the Hollywood Hills. The property was later listed for sale in February 2023 for $17.8 million.

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