Born John Randolph Webb on the 2nd April 1920 in Santa Monica, California USA, he was an actor, screenwriter, producer and director, still best known for portraying Sgt. Joe Friday in the highly popular 1950s TV series “Dragnet”, which he also wrote and directed. His career was active from 1946 until 1979. He passed away in 1982.
Have you ever wondered how rich Jack Webb was, at the time of his death? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Jack Webb`s net was as high as $10 million, earned through his successful career in the entertainment industry.
Jack Webb Net Worth $10 Million
Jack was the son of Margaret Smith and Samuel Chester Webb, however, his father left his mother before Jack was even born. He went to Our Lady of Loretto Elementary School, located in Echo Park, and served as an altar boy. Jack was then a student at Belmont High School, and after matriculation, he enrolled at St. John`s University, Minnesota to study art.
World War II interrupted his intentions, as he joined the US Army Air Force, but was granted a hardship discharge, as he was the only one who had income in his family. Jack settled in San Francisco, and found a job at the ABC`s KGO Radio, working as a host of his own show “The Jack Webb Show”, after which he and Raymond Burr starred in the radio drama “Pat Novak For Hire”, and soon made his professional acting debut in the film “He Walked by Night” (1948), with Richard Basehart and Scott Brady in lead roles. His next appearance was in the film “The Men” (1950), and he also had a notable role in Bill Wilder`s film “Sunset Boulevard” (1950), starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson and Erich von Stroheim. His net worth was rising.
In 1951, his TV series “Dragnet” was screened, and it lasted until 1959, during which time his net worth and popularity grew to a large degree; the series also featured Ben Alexander and Olan Soule. While the show lasted, Jack also made several other appearances, including a leading role in “Pete Kelly’s Blues” (1955), and he featured in the film “The D. I.” (1957), which also increased his net worth. In 1954, Dragnet was also made into film with its original cast, and in addition such actors as Richard Boone, among others. Although the series was extremely popular, the film failed to make an impact and received mixed reviews. Another installment saw the light of the day in 1969 with much greater success, featuring Webb, Harry Morgan and Vic Perrin in lead roles. Another four seasons of “Dragnet” were aired from 1967 until 1970, increasing further Jack`s net worth.
Apart from Dragnet, Jack had several other roles before retiring, including in films “The Last Time I Saw Archie” (1961), and TV series “G.E. True” (1962-1963), and “Project U.F.O” (1978-1979), among others.
Jack was also a creator of several other TV series, including “O`Hara, U.S. Treasury” (1971-1972), and “Adam-12” (1968-1975), which successes also added to his net worth.
During his successful career, Jack has also served as executive producer of such productions as “Noah’s Ark” (1956-1957), “The D.A.’s Man” (1959), “Pete Kelly’s Blues” (1959), “77 Sunset Strip” (1963-1964), “Emergency!” (1972), and “The 25th Man” (1982), among others.
His directorial debut was the 1954 “Dragnet” film, and from that point until the late 1970s, he directed several successful films and TV series, including “-30-“ (1959), with William Conrad and David Nelson, and “Chase” (1973), among others.
Thanks to his skills, Jack received a number of prestigious awards – including two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – for his contribution to radio and television.
Regarding his personal life, Jack, was married four times, firstly to actress Julie London(1947-53), and the couple had two children. Two years later he married Dorothy Towne, but their marriage lasted for only two years. In 1958 he married Jackie Loughery, but they divorced in 1964. His fourth wife was Opal Wright; the couple married in 1980, however, Jack`s death marked the end of the marriage he died on the 23th December 1982 from a heart attack.
Because of his high connections with and devotion to police and detective work, Jack received full police honors for his funeral; he is interred at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Also, badge number 714, which he wore in “Dragnet”, was retired by the LAPD after his death.
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