Before Superman gave up his cape to take on the role of Napoleon Solo, Robert Vaughn played the famous character as the original Man From U.N.C.L.E. Read more about the actor’s life and Robert Vaughn net worth.
Gene Winfield’s first big television project was in 1967, in the famous television spy series, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., with Robert Vaughn playing the lead as Napoleon Solo. The show’s first run was from 1964 to 1968 and was made into a television film in 1983 with the original cast.
Robert Vaughn also appeared as General Hunt Stockwell, the A-Team’s last formidable foe in the 80s action-adventure series’ season finale. Vaughn signed to provide a majestic twist to the show and act as a peacekeeper between his friend, George Peppard and Mr. T.
Robert Vaughn net worth is estimated at $10 million from the time he passed in 2016.
He received ten nominations during his career, one of which was an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1960. Vaughn has 260 credits as an actor, and his last project was for the movie Gold Star which was released the year after his death.
The actor passed away from Leukemia at the age of 83, on November 11, 2016.
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Robert Vaughn – Short Bio
Robert Francis Vaughn was born on November 22, 1932, in New York City. His father, Gerald Walter Vaughn, was a radio actor who appeared in the 1949 films Jigsaw and ‘C’-Man. Vaughn’s mother, Marcella Frances Gaudel, was a successful stage actress who starred in plays.
Robert was an only child. His parents divorced while he was still very young. And because his parents were busy with their careers, especially his mother, who was often away on tours for her performances, young Robert Vaugn was sent to live with his grandparents in Minneapolis.
Vaughn first attempted to take up journalism at the University of Minnesota but dropped out shortly after. He then moved to Los Angeles to be reunited with his mother. He earned a master’s degree in theater at the University of Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences. Shortly afterward, Vaughn was recruited and served as a drill Sergeant for the United States Army.
Decades after Robert Vaughn made his debut in show business; he obtained a PhD in communications from the University of Southern California in 1970. Vaughn published his thesis as a book two years later with the title Only Victims: A Study of Show Business Blacklisting.
Robert Vaughn’s Career
Robert Vaughn’s first television appearance was on NBC’s medical drama, Medic, in 1955. And his first film appearance, though uncredited, was in the 1956 film The Ten Commandments that starred Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner. Vaughn also appeared twice in the popular Norman Macdonnell Western TV and radio drama series Gunsmoke.
Vaughn’s first credited movie role came in 1957, in the film Hell’s Crossroads. He played Bob Ford, a man who became famous for assassinating the legendary outlaw, Jesse James.
Vaughn signed with Burt Lancaster’s film company. There, Vaughn was given the role of Steve Dallas for the movie Sweet Smell of Success, directed by Alexander Mackendrick.
Robert Vaughn’s first notable film came in 1959; his appearance in The Young Philadelphians earned him an award nomination for Best Supporting Actor from both Academy Awards and Golden Globe. And in the following year, Vaughn played the role of Lee in the classic John Sturges Western, The Magnificent Seven, in 1960 with Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
From 1963 to 1964, Vaughn was a regular cast member of The Lieutenant’s American television series. The show led him to his very own television series, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Vaughn played the role of Napoleon Solo, a character strikingly similar to James Bond. He shared the spotlight with Scottish actor David McCallum, who took on the character of Illya Kuryakin.
The show catapulted Vaughn to fame. The series spread through the international market like wildfire. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was reprised in many overseas theatrical films from re-edited episodes of the original shows, from 1964 to 1968 before it was canceled.
The series was given a film sequel in 1983 with The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E.: Fifteen Years Later, starring the original cast.
Robert Vaughn Appearances
After his television series ended, Vaughn wanted to pursue more film projects. It led him to take part in many movies like The Bridge at Remagen and Julius Caesar in 1969, The Mind of Mr. Soames in 1979, and the biographical-drama film, The Man from Independence in 1974.
Vaughn reunited with actor Steve McQueen in the neo-noir action thriller film Bullitt. He played the role of Senator Walter Chalmers, where he was again given a nomination for Best Supporting Actor from the British Academy Film Award for the fantastic portrayal of the role.
He won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1978 for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his recurring role in the popular television miniseries Washington: Behind Closed Doors. The miniseries was aired on September 6 to 11, 1977.
Vaughn’s next most notable appearance was as General Stockwell in the fifth and final season of the famous action-adventure TV series, The A-Team.
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Robert Vaughn Net Worth Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is Robert Vaughn Net Worth?
Robert Vaughn net worth was $10 million at the time of his death. The legendary actor began his career in 1955 and was active until 2016.
Who Was Robert Vaughn’s Wife?
Robert Vaughn met his wife, Linda Staab, on the British television series The Protectors in 1973. The couple didn’t have biological children but adopted Cassidy and Caitlin Vaughn. Robert and Linda raised their family in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
What Was Robert Vaughn Known For?
Before DC’s Superman, Henry Cavill took on the role of the spy debonair Napoleon Solo in the 2015 film The Man from U.N.CL.E. Robert Vaughn played the part for four seasons in the original television series aired from 1964 to 1968, and was made into a TV film in 1983.
What Happened to Robert Vaughn?
Robert Vaughn passed away on November 11, 2016 at a hospice in Danbury, Connecticut. The 83-year old legendary actor was battling with Leukemia for sometime, he spent the last year of his life at the health care facility nearest to where the rest of his family resided.
Where is Robert Vaughn Buried?
After his death in 2016, Robert Vaughn’s remains were cremated. The legendary actor’s ashes are in the care of his family and relatives.
Robert Vaughn Net Worth – Final Thoughts
Robert Vaughn is one of the legendary actors who helped transform regular movies into film classics. And as if to quote from Fran Drescher’s famous sitcom, he had style, and he had flair. And yes, Robert Vaughn also appeared in The Nanny as Fran’s father-in-law, James Sheffield.
Unlike many of his peers, Vaughn was never hell-bent on fame though he genuinely did have the charm and the talent to back it up. He was a true pillar of the film and television industry. Vaughn was content with making a career out of something he was passionate about.
His autobiographical book’s title said that Robert Vaughn had A Fortunate Life.
At the time of his death, Robert Vaughn net worth was $10 million. He died from Leukemia on November 11, 2016. He is forever immortalized as the fun and witty Napoleon Solo.
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Marjolein Dilven
Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Celebz Net Worth, Journalist
Expertise: Personal finance and travel content. I’m a full-time traveler, and I’ve been to 49 countries and 5 continents.
Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University.
Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.
