Buddy Hackett Net Worth

Leonard Hacker net worth is
$10 Million

Born as Leonard Hacker on the 31st August 1924, in Brooklyn, New York City USA, Buddy Hackett was a comedian and actor, best known to the world for his roles as Marcellus Washburn in the film “The Music Man” (1962), then as Benjy Benjamin in “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World” (1963), and as Tennessee Steinmetz in “The Love Bug” (1968), among many other differing appearances. Buddy passed away in 2003,.

Have you ever wondered how rich Buddy Hackett was, at the time of his death? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Hackett’s net worth was as high as $10 million, an amount earned through his successful career, which was active from 1950 until his death.

Buddy Hackett Net Worth $10 Million

Buddy was the son of Philip Hacker, and his wife Anna. His father was an upholsterer and also tried himself as an inventor. Buddy went to New Utrecht High School, from which he matriculated in 1942. While still in high school, Buddy began performing in nightclubs under the name Buch Hacker, making appearances in some notable clubs, including the Golden Hotel in Hurleyville, New York, but his performances didn’t knock the public off their feet.

After matriculation, Buddy joined the US Army and was in an anti-aircraft battery, serving for three years, and when World War II ended, he focused on his career in entertainment.

He found a job at the Pink Elephant, a nightclub located in Brooklyn, and it was there that Buddy Hacket was born, as he changed his stage name. Little by little he was seen and heard in Los Angeles and Las Vegas as well, while he also found engagement on Broadway, making an appearance in the play “Lunatics and Lovers”. While doing this play, he was spotted by Max Liebman who soon cast him in the TV special “Max Liebman Presents: Variety” in 1955. Even before that, Buddy’s on-screen career had begun, as he appeared in the short sport film “Columbia World of Sports: King of the Pins” in 1950, in which he and expert bowler Joe Wilman explain championship bowling techniques. Then in 1953 he made his film debut in the musical comedy “Walking My Baby Back Home”, staring Donald O’Connor and Janet Leigh. The following year he was used as replacement for the ill Lou Costello who was forced to quit shooting “Firman, Save My Child”, and Buddy was the star of the film next to Hugh O’Brien and Spike Jones. His net worth was now well set.

Buddy continued successfully throughout the ‘50s, landing the lead role in the TV comedy series “Stanley” (1956), and playing Pluto Swift in the Golden Globe Award- winning romantic comedy “God’s Little Acre” (1958), all of which increased his wealth. However, the ‘60s was his decade, with some of his most prominent roles, first as Marcellus Washburn in the romantic comedy “The Music Man” (1962) with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones, then as Benjy Benjamin in the Academy Award- winning action adventure “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World” (1963), next to Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle and Ethel Merman, and he finished the decade with the role of the lovable hippie auto mechanic Tennessee Steinmetz in Disney’s “The Love Bug” (1968), consistently adding to his net worth.

From the end of the ‘60s, Buddy focused more on his career as a comedian, but still until his death made several more notable film appearances, including as Lou Costello in the film “Bud and Lou” (1978), about the lives of prominent comedians Bud bbott and Lou Costello and in which he was paired with Harvey Korman, and as Artie in the adventure comedy “Paulie” in 1998.

Thanks to his popularity on screen, Buddy started appearing as a guest in several variety shows in the ‘50s, and that continued throughout his career. In 1956 he first appeared in “Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall”, and made several more appearances until 1961. Then in 1959 he started appearing in “The Jack Parr Tonight Show”, until 1962 featuring in over 30 episodes. However, his greatest success was in 84 episodes of the “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”, in which he appeared constantly from 1963 until 1992. Other credits included “The Merv Griffin Show” (1963-1979), “The Dean Martin Show” (1966-1974), and “The Hollywood Squares” (1967-1974), among many others, all of which also added to his net worth.

Thanks to his successful career, Buddy received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998.

Regarding his personal life, Buddy was married to Sherry Cohen from 1955 until his death. The couple had three children together. Buddy was an avid firearms collector, but in the last years of his life he sold his collection due to his bad health. Buddy passed away on the 30th June 2003, after suffering a stroke only a week before, while he was also battling diabetes.


Full NameBuddy Hackett
Net Worth$10 Million
Date Of BirthAugust 31, 1924
DiedJune 30, 2003, Malibu, California, United States
Place Of BirthBrooklyn, New York, USA
Height5' 6" (1.68 m)
ProfessionComedian
EducationNew Utrecht High School
NationalityAmerican
SpouseSherry Cohen (m. 1955–2003)
ChildrenSandy Hackett, Ivy Julie Hackett, Lisa Jean Hackett
ParentsAnna Geller, Philip Hacker
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004983/
MoviesIt's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, The Love Bug, The Little Mermaid, The Music Man, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, God's Little Acre, Scrooged, Paulie, Walking My Baby Back Home, Muscle Beach Party, Jack Frost, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, Fireman Save My Child, Everything's D...
TV ShowsAction, The Timex All-star Swing Festival, The Jackie Gleason Show, Stanley, Fish Police, Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad
TitleSalary
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)$105,000
#Quote
1[on late sportscaster Howard Cosell] There have always been mixed emotions about Howard Cosell: Some people hate him like poison; and other people just hate him regular.
#Fact
1He was awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2000.
2Allegedly regretted turning down the sequels for The Love Bug (1968).
3According to his commentary on The Love Bug (1968), he was offered $2000 a week to replace Curly Howard of The Three Stooges. He refused. The story seems unlikely, however, since when Curly died he was immediately replaced by his brother Shemp Howard, who had originally been replaced by Curly when Shemp left the act to go solo while the Stooges were still in vaudeville.
4He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
5Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 224-226. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
6Next door neighbor of Sandy Koufax in childhood.
7Although his on-stage humor was not nearly as raw, in retrospect, as many of the young comedians who would succeed him, his frequently ribald performances in nightclubs and in concert came as something of a shock to those who had enjoyed his "cleaned-up" (at the behest of the censors) performances on television and in films.
8Towards the end of his life, he was raising money for an animal shelter.
9Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 201-202. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
10Served three years in the US Army with an antiaircraft unit during World War II. On a furlough in 1945, he returned home and bought a ticket to see the musical "Oklahoma!". He decided on a career in show business following his discharge.
11His real name, Lenny Hacker, was used as the name of a character he played in episode 1.05 ("The Entertainer") of Space Rangers (1993).
12Son of Philip Hackett and Anna Geller.
13Father of Sandy Hackett, Ivy Julie, Lisa Jean.
14In 1953 gossip columns reported that Universal Pictures wanted to team Hackett with his friend, popular baritone Alan Dale, as the studio's answer to Paramount's box-office sensations, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Nothing came of the idea because Dale preferred to remain a solo act. However, Hackett did appear in Universal's Walking My Baby Back Home (1953) later that year. In 1954 Hackett did replace 'Lou Costello (I)' (q) in Universal's Fireman Save My Child (1954) when Costello's ill health forced him to leave the picture shortly after filming began (Costello can still be seen in some long shots). Hugh O'Brian replaced Bud Abbott, who wouldn't work without Costello. Universal talked about teaming Hackett and O'Brien in another film, but the picture bombed at the box office and the re-teaming with O'Brien never took place.
15Quit doing appearances in 1996 after he suffered stage fright, including extreme dizziness, for the first time in his career. This event immediately followed gum surgery, which Buddy believes had something to do with the situation.

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
God's Little Acre1958Pluto Swint, Sheriff Candidate
Stanley1956TV SeriesStanley Peck
Fireman Save My Child1954Smokey Hinkle
Walking My Baby Back Home1953Blimp Edwards
School House1949TV Series
All That2002TV SeriesKnubby McFarlin
The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea2000VideoScuttle (voice)
Action1999-2000TV SeriesUncle Lonnie
Animaniacs1998TV SeriesCEO
Paulie1998Artie
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch1998TV SeriesThe Car
Boy Meets World1996TV SeriesMr. Fontini
Space Rangers1994TV SeriesLenny Hacker
Mouse Soup1993ShortMouse (voice)
Garfield and Friends1992TV Series
Dinosaurs1992TV SeriesLouie
Fish Police1992TV SeriesCrabby
Ferris Bueller1990TV SeriesThe Emcee
Little Mermaid's Island1990TV SeriesScuttle
The Little Mermaid1989Scuttle (voice)
Scrooged1988Scrooge
Murder, She Wrote1987TV SeriesMurray Gruen
The Fall Guy1982-1983TV SeriesOzzie Harold Stanford
Hey Babe!1983Sammy Cohen
The Love Boat1979-1981TV SeriesJulian Garfield / Mickey Greenbaum
Jack Frost1979TV MoviePardon-Me-Pete (Groundhog) (voice)
Bud and Lou1978TV MovieLou Costello
Quincy M.E.1977TV SeriesRonnie Fletcher
McMillan & Wife1974-1975TV SeriesApartment Resident / Joey Germaine
Laugh-In1968-1969TV Series
The Good Guys and the Bad Guys1969Ed - Townsman (uncredited)
The Love Bug1968Tennessee Steinmetz
The Lucy Show1968TV SeriesHarry Barton
Get Smart1967TV SeriesWilbur
The Danny Thomas Hour1967TV SeriesZeus
The Big Valley1966TV SeriesCharlie Sawyer
The Trials of O'Brien1965TV SeriesOllie Maxwell
Once Upon a Tractor1965ShortGarage Owner
The Golden Head1964Lionel Pack
Muscle Beach Party1964S.Z. Matts
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World1963Benjy Benjamin
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm1962Hans ('The Singing Bone')
The Music Man1962Marcellus Washburn
Everything's Ducky1961Seaman Admiral John Paul 'Ad' Jones
The Rifleman1959-1961TV SeriesClarence Bibs / Daniel Malakie
All Hands on Deck1961Shrieking Eagle Garfield
The Shoes1961ShortThe Man
Make Room for Daddy1960TV SeriesBuddy Bruno
Dan Raven1960TV SeriesBuddy

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Little Mermaid1989"The Wedding March" 1843, "Romeo and Juliet", uncredited
Jack Frost1979TV Movie performer: "Me and My Shadow", "Jack Frost is Here" uncredited, "I've Got a Day Named After Me February 2" uncredited
The Music Man1962performer: "Shipoopi" 1957 - uncredited

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
That Loveable Bug2003Video documentary short special thanks
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal1985Documentary special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Last Comic Standing2003TV SeriesHimself (Celebrity Talent Scout)
That Loveable Bug2003Video documentary shortHimself
Hollywood Squares2002TV SeriesHimself - Panelist
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn2001-2002TV SeriesHimself
Milton Berle: An All-Star Tribute to 'Mr. Television'2002VideoHimself
The Nightclub Years2001TV Special documentaryHimself
MTV Video Music Awards 20012001TV SpecialHimself
The Test2001TV SeriesHimself - Panelist
Just Shoot Me!2000TV SeriesHimself
Let Me In, I Hear Laughter2000DocumentaryHimself
Later1999TV SeriesHimself - Guest
MTV Video Music Awards 19991999TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Right Here in River City: The Making of Meredith Willson's 'The Music Man'1998Video documentary shortHimself
Palisades Amusement Park, a Century of Fond Memories1998DocumentaryInterviewee
LateLine1998TV SeriesHimself
Great Performances1997TV SeriesHimself
L.A. Law1993TV SeriesHimself
This Is Your Life1992TV Series documentaryHimself
Alan King: Inside the Comedy Mind1991TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'1991TV Movie documentaryHimself / Benjy Benjamin
Wolf Trap Presents Victor Borge: An 80th Birthday Celebration1990TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Making of 'The Little Mermaid'1989TV Movie documentaryHimself - 'Scuttle'
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1989TV MovieHimself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1963-1987TV SeriesHimself - Guest / Himself / Himself - Comedian / ...
Comic Relief1986/ITV SpecialHimself
Late Night with David Letterman1984TV SeriesHimself
Buddy Hackett Live and Uncensored1983VideoHimself
George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business1983TV MovieHimself
Tomorrow Coast to Coast1981TV SeriesHimself
You Bet Your Life1980TV SeriesHost
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1979TV SpecialHimself
The Merv Griffin Show1963-1979TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Comedian
Sword of Justice1979TV SeriesHimself
Circus of the Stars #31979TV Special documentaryHimself - Performer
Donny and Marie1977-1979TV SeriesHimself
Live Wednesday1978TV SeriesHimself
Coming Attractions1978Himself - S.T.O.P.-I.T. Spokesman
The People's Command Performance1978TV SpecialHimself
Superstunt1977TV Special
Super Night at Forest Hills1977TV SpecialHimself
Break the Bank1977TV SeriesHimself
Tattletales1976TV SeriesHimself
Celebrity Sweepstakes1975TV SeriesHimself
Muhammad Ali vs. Ron Lyle1975TV MovieHimself - Audience Member
Dinah!1975TV SeriesHimself
Don Adams' Screen Test1975TV Series
The Hollywood Squares1967-1974TV SeriesHimself - Panelist / Himself - Center Square
The Dean Martin Show1966-1974TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Comedian
Flip1973TV SeriesHimself
NFL Players Association Awards Dinner1973TV SpecialHimself - Co-Host
The Vin Scully Show1973TV SeriesHimself
The New Bill Cosby Show1972TV SeriesHimself
The Scoey Mitchlll Show1972TV MovieHimself
Stand Up and Cheer1972TV SeriesHimself
The ABC Comedy Hour1972TV SeriesHimself - Roastmaster
Laugh-In1970-1971TV SeriesHimself - Guest Performer / Himself
The Dick Cavett Show1971TV SeriesHimself
The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World1971TV Movie documentaryHimself
Plimpton! Did You Hear the One About?1971TV Movie documentaryHimself
The David Frost Show1970TV SeriesHimself
The Joey Bishop Show1967-1969TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Co-Host
The Bob Hope Show1969TV SeriesHimself
The Mama Cass Television Program1969TV SpecialHimself - Guest Star
Alan King and His Buddy1969TV MovieHimself - Co-Host / Comedian
The Ed Sullivan Show1964-1969TV SeriesHimself - Audience Bow / Himself - Comedian
Funny You Should Ask1968TV SeriesHimself
Stars for Israel1967TV MovieHimself - Host
The Mike Douglas Show1967TV SeriesHimself
The Andy Williams Show1966TV SeriesHimself
I've Got a Secret1962-1966TV SeriesHimself - Panelist / Himself - Guest / Himself - Celebrity Guest
What's My Line?1957-1966TV SeriesHimself - Panelist / Himself - Mystery Guest
The Steve Lawrence Show1965TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Hollywood Palace1964TV SeriesHimself - Comedian
The Jack Paar Program1962-1964TV SeriesHimself
The Joey Bishop Show1963-1964TV SeriesHimself
Password All-Stars1962-1964TV SeriesHimself - Celebrity Contestant
Here's Edie1963TV SeriesHimself
The Jack Paar Tonight Show1959-1962TV SeriesHimself
Talent Scouts1962TV SeriesHimself
The All-Star Comedy Hour1962TV MovieHimself - Comedian
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall1956-1961TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Comedian
Here's Hollywood1961TV SeriesHimself
The Arthur Godfrey Show1961TV MovieHimself - Comedian
Phillies Jackpot Bowling1961TV SeriesHimself
The David Susskind Show1960TV SeriesHimself
The Garry Moore Show1959-1960TV SeriesHimself
The Steve Allen Plymouth Show1956-1960TV SeriesHimself - Guest / Himself - Comedian
The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams1959TV SeriesHimself
The Jackie Gleason Show1958TV SeriesHimself
The Patrice Munsel Show1957-1958TV SeriesHimself
The Eddie Fisher Show1958TV SeriesHimself
Tonight!1957TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Vic Damone Show1956TV SeriesHimself
Max Liebman Presents: Variety1955TV MovieHimself - Guest
The George Jessel Show1953TV SeriesHimself
Columbia World of Sports: King of the Pins1950ShortHimself - Inept Bowler

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
American Masters1997-2012TV Series documentaryHimself
Edición Especial Coleccionista2010-2012TV SeriesBenjy Benjamin
The Age of Believing: The Disney Live Action Classics2008TV Movie documentary
The O'Reilly Factor2008TV SeriesHimself
Treasures Untold: The Making of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid'2006Video documentaryHimself
The First Amendment Project: No Joking2004TV Movie documentary
100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time2004TV Mini-SeriesHimself #34
The 76th Annual Academy Awards2004TV SpecialHimself (Memorial Tribute)
Brilliant But Cancelled2002TV Movie documentary
Cinerama Adventure2002DocumentaryBenjy Benjamin (in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World") (uncredited)
Classic Stand-Up Comedy of Television1996TV Special documentaryHimself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1992TV SeriesHimself
Biography1987TV Series documentaryHimself
The Great Standups1984TV Movie documentaryHimself
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 22nd Anniversary1984TV MovieHimself
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1979TV SeriesTennessee Steinmetz
Good Old Days Part II1978TV SpecialHimself
The Ed Sullivan Show1966TV SeriesHimself - Comedian

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1998Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameLive PerformanceAwarded on March 31, 1998 at 6834 Hollywood Blvd.

Known for movies

Source
IMDB Wikipedia

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