Dorothy Malone Net Worth
Dorothy Malone left a significant legacy in the entertainment industry. Through hard work and talent she earned critical acclaim and success across both film and television platforms.
She made her acting debut in 1943 in Gildersleeve. Since signing with RKO Studios, her acting career flourished quickly with roles such as Higher and Higher, Seven Days Ashore and Step Lively among many others.
Early Life and Education
Dorothy Eloise Malone was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1924. She attended Ursulines Academy and Highland Park High School before majoring in drama at Southern Methodist University and making her Broadway debut with Gildersleeve as an extra in 1943.
Her initial films were mostly B-movies, but she eventually gained prominence playing the brainy bookstore clerk in Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s 1946 classic, The Big Sleep. From there she moved onto more costly productions, earning an Oscar nomination for 1956’s Written on the Wind.
Her breakthrough role on Peyton Place from 1964-1968 brought her further fame and success. She married three times; first to actor Jacques Bergerac with whom she had two daughters Mimi and Diane; secondly Robert Tomarkin as stockbroker; thirdly Charles Huston Bell for brief period before divorcing him again.
Professional Career
Dorothy Malone began her professional career in 1943 after being discovered by RKO talent agent Edward Rubin while performing at Southern Methodist University for an audition play. After signing a contract with RKO Studios and making her film debut in The Falcon and the Co-Eds, her film roles gradually increased in prominence until becoming known for playing seductive book clerk in Humphrey Bogart-Laurence Bacall classic The Big Sleep where her career truly blossomed into stardom.
Her blonde, dreamy-eyed beauty took some time to break through to American film-going audiences; but once she did she was warmly received. Over her lengthy and successful career she appeared in many films including Douglas Sirk’s Written on the Wind which won critical acclaim.
Achievement and Honors
Dorothy Malone has become one of the world’s most recognized figures through hard work. She has won many accolades throughout her career.
With her hair dyed platinum blonde and ditching her “good girl” image, she found fame through films such as 1956 drama Written on the Wind (for which she won an Academy Award) and television series Peyton Place.
She married three times: once to actor Jacques Bergerac with whom she had two daughters Mimi and Diane; she later wed businessman Robert Tomarkin and motel executive Charles Huston Bell before making one final screen appearance as herself in 1992’s Basic Instinct film before passing away at age 92 in Dallas.
Personal Life
Dorothy Malone prefers to keep her personal life confidential. Although she has never married, she has had some romantic encounters. Dorothy enjoys spending time with friends from all walks of life.
Malone’s acting career took off when she was discovered by an RKO talent agent while performing drama at Southern Methodist University and signed to a contract. She made her film debut with Gildersleeve in 1943, later appearing in Frank Sinatra musicals Higher and Livelier as well.
She would go on to appear in various television shows, most notably as an overbearing mother in Peyton Place. After having an intense dispute with producers over writing out of the show and breach of contract claims were filed against her by them, she eventually won primary custody of Mimi and Diane as children of Mimi’s character on Peyton Place.
Net Worth
Dorothy Malone died peacefully at age 93 on January 19, 2018. Through her long and prolific acting career, Dorothy amassed a substantial net worth while leaving an indelible mark upon American society.
Her film and television roles garnered her both critical acclaim and mainstream success, such as her roles in Written on the Wind and Tarnished Angels. Furthermore, Peyton Place (1964-68) provided additional visibility and recognition.
Mimi and Diane Bergerac from her first marriage with Jacques Bergerac. Additionally, she had brief partnerships with stock broker Robert Tomarkin and motel executive Charles Huston Bell before choosing not to disclose personal and romantic life details.
