There is a long-running myth that proposes that child stardom and financial stability hardly go hand in hand. Even though plenty of young performers earn fortunes, only to see them dwindle away years later, there are plenty of other child stars who take different paths. I want to pay respects to 15 child stars from the ’60s who with great patience and strategy have actually managed and even grown their wealth over the years.
1. Ron Howard
People most often know Ron Howard as an iconic, award-winning director, but he also got his start as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show. Instead of chasing every Hollywood opportunity, though, Howard gradually moved behind the camera and then built out a career that’s lasted much longer than most child stars’ acting stints. Ron Howard’s estimated net worth is over $200 million at this point.
2. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster was making appearances in television commercials before she was in elementary school. While many of the young actors struggled with their newfound fame, Foster impressively graduated from Yale University and then built a career that earned her multiple Academy Awards. Her dynamic combination of education, smart investments and selective projects helped preserve and grow her wealth. Her estimated net worth in present day is around $100 million.
3. Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell’s estimated net worth is $100 million. Long before the widely adored Escape from New York and Tombstone both made their debuts, Kurt Russell was one of Disney’s biggest child stars. In fact, Kurt Russell also pursued a professional baseball career before an injury changed his path altogether. That detour ended up shaking out very well for him, though, as Russell then went on to build one of Hollywood’s longest-enduring and most profitable careers.
4. Sally Field
Sally Field’s estimated net worth is $50 million. Sally Field became a widely recognized face largely thanks to television hits like Gidget and The Flying Nun. Rather than fading away after her teen-star years, though, she reinvented herself as a serious dramatic actress and eventually won two Academy Awards. Her career longevity has been just as commendable as her financial success.
5. Barry Williams
Barry Williams’ net worth these days lands right around $6 million. As Greg Brady, Barry Williams became one of television’s most iconic older brothers. Then, instead of fading from the spotlight after The Brady Bunch, Williams would lean into the show’s long-standing popularity through varying stage work, television appearances, and nostalgia-driven projects. Many decades later, Williams continues to reap the benefits from one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms.
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6. Maureen McCormick
Maureen McCormick’s net worth is $4 million. Millions of people knew McCormick as Marcia Brady, who was the picture-perfect oldest Brady daughter. McCormick also faced numerous personal struggles after her sitcom fame, but then eventually rebuilt her life and career through books, reality television, and speaking engagements.
7. Jerry Mathers
Jerry Mathers’ net worth is $3 million. Jerry Mathers became a TV icon as Beaver Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver. Much unlike many child actors, he stepped away from Hollywood at times to chase down other opportunities like business ventures and real estate investments.
8. Billy Mumy
Billy Mumy’s net worth is $10 million. Billy Mumy played Will Robinson on Lost in Space, and delivered the ever famous, “Danger, Will Robinson!” moments fans still quote to this day. Beyond acting, he found his success as a musician, writer, and impressive voice actor. Having numerous careers turned out to be one of the most logically sound financial decisions he could have ever made too.
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9. Kathy Garver
Kathy Garver’s estimated net worth today is $5 million. Kathy Garver starred as Cissy Davis on Family Affair, one of the most popular family shows of the late 1960s. Also, rather than relying solely on acting work, she then expanded into voice acting, publishing, and public appearances. Those varying extra income streams helped her build lasting financial security as well.
10. Angela Cartwright
Angel Cartwright’s net worth today is estimated at $5 million. Cartwright worked her charm on audiences in both The Danny Thomas Show and also Lost in Space. It was after stepping away from acting that she successfully reinvented herself as both a photographer and an author. It’s truly a great example of a child star building a second career instead of depending solely on Hollywood.
11. Hayley Mills
Mills’ estimated net worth lands right around $5 million today. Disney audiences were swept up by Hayley Mills’ talent in classics like Pollyanna and The Parent Trap. Even with finding fame at such a young age, Mills continued working hard in film, television, and theater for decades. Her storied career naturally transformed her childhood success into lasting financial stability.
12. Patty Duke
Patty Duke’s net worth at the time of her death was estimated to be around $10 million. Patty Duke won herself an Academy Award at just 16 years old. This is an accomplishment that to this day, very few actors can claim. Through acting, writing, and also advocacy work, Duke was able to maintain a successful career for decades on end.
13. Paul Petersen
Paul Petersen’s net worth is estimated at right around $3 million. Paul Petersen found fame as Jeff Stone on The Donna Reed Show. Later in life though, Petersen established himself as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable advocates for former child actors, and helped others navigate the industry’s unique set of challenges.
14. Stanley Livingston
Livingston’s net worth is estimated at around $9 million. Livingston spent years on end playing Chip Douglas on My Three Sons. Rather than limiting himself to acting, he would eventually move into producing and directing. Learning the business side of entertainment proved just as valuable as his time in front of the camera.
15. Butch Patrick
Butch Patrick’s estimated net worth is right around $500,000-$1 million. Patrick became a true pop-culture legend as Eddie Munster on The Munsters. Even though he never exactly reached the level of wealth of some of his peers, he did successfully leverage decades of budding fan enthusiasm through conventions, appearances, and memorabilia events.
