Robert Francis Vaughn (November 22, 1932 – November 11, 2016) was an American actor and political activist with a career spanning nearly six decades. He was best known for playing Napoleon Solo on The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–68).
Vaughn won a Primetime Emmy Award and received nominations for an Academy Award, BAFTA, Laurel Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. His breakthrough was as Chester A. Gwynn in The Young Philadelphians, earning an Oscar nomination. Notable films include The Magnificent Seven, Bullitt, The Bridge at Remagen, Demon Seed, and Superman III.
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Robert Vaughn Net Worth
Robert Vaughn has a net worth of $5 million. Born in New York, Vaughn published Only Victims: A Study of Show Business Blacklisting in 1972. His second book, an autobiography titled A Fortunate Life (published in 2008), reflects on his career:
“With a modest amount of looks and talent and more than a modicum of serendipity, I’ve managed to stretch my 15 minutes of fame into more than half a century of good fortune.” He said, “The breaks all fell my way.”
Early life
Robert Vaughn was born on November 22, 1932, to Gerald Walter and Marcella Frances Vaughn (née Gaudel) at Charity Hospital in New York City. His father was a radio actor and his mother a stage actress.
After his parents divorced, Vaughn lived with his grandparents, Frank and Mary Gaudel, in Minneapolis while his mother traveled for performances. In a 1965 interview, Vaughn described his childhood as emotionally difficult, saying he was “a complete wreck,” often feeling miserable and getting beaten up.
Career
Robert Vaughn was inducted into the U.S. Army Reserve on November 29, 1955, and began active duty on December 18, 1956, at Fort Ord, California. During his first leave, he learned his mother had Berger’s disease, prompting him to apply for an Honorable Hardship discharge.
While waiting, he served as a drill instructor. Vaughn was discharged on May 26, 1957, and remained in the Reserve until November 1962. His mother encouraged his acting career, teaching him Shakespeare at age five. Vaughn debuted on Chicago radio and worked as a page at Minneapolis’ WCCO in 1950.
Personal life
During the late 1960s, Joyce Jameson was Robert Vaughn’s girlfriend and acted opposite him in a 1966 U.N.C.L.E. episode titled “The Dippy Blond Affair.” Vaughn married actress Linda Staab in 1974, and they appeared together in The Protectors in 1973. They adopted two children, Cassidy (born 1976) and Caitlin (born 1981), and lived in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
Although once believed to be the biological father of director Matthew Vaughn, a paternity test confirmed George de Vere Drummond as his father, but Matthew still uses Vaughn’s surname professionally.
What did Robert Vaughn pass away from?
Robert Vaughn passed away from acute leukemia on November 11, 2016, in Ridgefield, Connecticut. His final acting credit was the film Gold Star (2017), released the year he died.
Conclusion
Robert Vaughn’s career in the entertainment industry was both prolific and impactful. With a net worth of $5 million, his contributions to film and television have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. Vaughn’s legacy, characterized by his versatility as an actor and his memorable roles, will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
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FAQs about Robert Vaughn Net Worth
- What was Robert Vaughn’s net worth at the time of his passing?
- Robert Vaughn’s net worth was estimated to be $5 million.
- What role is Robert Vaughn best known for?
- Vaughn is best known for his role as Napoleon Solo in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”
- Did Robert Vaughn have any children?
- Yes, Vaughn and his wife adopted two children, including a daughter named Caitlin.
- How did Robert Vaughn die?
- Vaughn died after a year-long battle with leukemia in a hospice in Danbury, Connecticut.
- Were Robert Vaughn and David McCallum friends in real life?
- Yes, despite differing lifestyles, Vaughn and McCallum were friends and respected each other professionally.
