Wayne Newton Net Worth: The Voice of Las Vegas
Wayne Newton is an American singer, actor, and entertainer who has a net worth of $50 million. Wayne Newton is best known for both his musical hits, such as “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast,” and for his sold-out Las Vegas performances, of which there have been over 30,000. He filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and again flirted with bankruptcy in 2010 but has since recovered financially.
Who is Wayne Newton
Newton is celebrated as Las Vegas’s top-grossing entertainer, with hits like “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast.” His signature song, “Danke Schoen,” gained additional fame from its inclusion in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Wayne Newton Early Life
Wayne Newton was born Carson Wayne Newton on April 3, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia. He is the son of an auto mechanic, Patrick Newton, and Evelyn Marie Smith. Learning to play the piano, guitar, and steel guitar at the age of six, Wayne entered the entertainment industry during childhood while his father was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. When the family moved to Newark, Ohio, Newton began performing in clubs, fairs, and theaters along with his elder brother. The family moved to Phoenix in 1952 due to Newton’s severe asthma.
Wayne Newton Rise to Fame
His big break came in the late 1950s when a Las Vegas booking agent discovered him and his brother Jerry. This opportunity led to a residency at the Fremont Hotel and Casino, marking the start of a long-standing association with Las Vegas.
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Wayne Newton Entertainment Career
Newton made his TV debut in 1962 when he performed on “The Jackie Gleason Show.” He also landed a role on the classic western TV series “Bonanza.” By 1963, Wayne had been signed to Capitol Records, and his first album, “Danke Schoen,” was released. The title track was immediately a massive hit and reached #13 on the “Billboard” charts. This became his signature song and was even used on the soundtrack for “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in 1986. Prominent entertainment icons at the time, like Lucille Ball, Bobby Darin, and Jack Benny, showed Newton their support when they were first starting out. Benny hired Newton as an opening act for his show, and subsequently, Wayne was given a headlining act at the Flamingo Hotel. In 1972, his recording of “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Far” sold over one million copies. Newton went on to replace the Beach Boys and The Grass Roots at the 1983 Independence Day celebration at the Washington Mall. James G. Watt, President Reagan’s Secretary of the Interior, had banned concerts by rock groups, citing that they encouraged drug and alcohol use and attracted the “wrong element.” Newton was a friend and supporter of Reagan and a contributor to the Republican Party. He was met on the Independence Day stage on the Mall on July 4, 1983, to mostly cheers but some boos as well.
Wayne Newton Financial Problems
Newton filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1992 to reorganize $20 million of debt, most of which he spent while suing NBC for libel. He claimed the network had reported that he partnered with the Mafia to buy the Aladdin Hotel. Included in the bankruptcy was a $341,000 IRS tax lien. He had recovered financially by 1999. However, in August 2005, the IRS filed a lawsuit against Newton, claiming that he and his wife owed more than $1.8 million in taxes and penalties. In late 2009, officials at the Oakland County Airport in Waterford, Michigan, claimed that Wayne owed the airport more than $60,000 for unpaid parking fees after he abandoned a $2 million dollar private plane there more than three years prior. The monthly parking fee for the plane was $5,000. He never paid the fines, and the plane became filled with mold to the point where it was no longer viable as an aircraft.
Wayne Newton Personal Life
Wayne Newton married Elaine Okamura in 1968, and they had a daughter, Erin, in 1976 before divorcing in 1985. He remarried in 1994 to Kathleen McCrone, with whom he has another daughter born in 2002.
Wayne Newton Living in the Lap of Luxury
Wayne Newton was a performance professional but wasn’t adept at business. In 1997, he opened The Talk of the T.O.W.N. with fellow performer Tony Orlando. The 2,100-capacity venue hemorrhaged money, drawing roughly 360 to 900 people per show, and the pair couldn’t pay the $2 million lease, resulting in a nasty and irreparable rift. “I decided that I have never given up a friendship over money, but he did,” Newton told Larry King in 1999 (via Las Vegas Sun).
FAQs
What is Wayne Newton’s net worth?
Wayne Newton’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million.
What are Wayne Newton’s most famous songs?
His most famous songs include “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast.”
When did Wayne Newton first gain fame?
Wayne Newton’s big break came in the late 1950s when a Las Vegas booking agent discovered him and his brother, leading to a residency at the Fremont Hotel and Casino.
Has Wayne Newton ever filed for bankruptcy?
Yes, Wayne Newton filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1992 to reorganize $20 million of debt, most of which was incurred from a libel lawsuit against NBC. He filed again in 2010 due to financial difficulties but managed to recover.
Conclusion
Wayne Newton’s career is a testament to resilience and success in the entertainment industry. Known as Las Vegas’s top-grossing performer, he has built an iconic legacy with his unforgettable hits like “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast.
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