Rodney Dangerfield was one of the most popular and influential comedians of the 20th century. He was known for his self-deprecating one-liner humor, his catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” and his monologues on that theme. He starred in several hit movies, such as Caddyshack, Easy Money, and Back to School, and made frequent appearances on late-night talk shows and comedy clubs. But how much was he worth when he passed away in 2004?
Rodney Dangerfield’s Early Life and Career
Rodney Dangerfield was born as Jacob Rodney Cohen in 1921 in Deer Park, New York. He was the son of Jewish immigrants who worked in vaudeville. His father was rarely home, and his mother was cold and abusive. He started writing jokes at the age of 15, and performed as a stand-up comedian under the name Jack Roy. However, he struggled to make a living from comedy, and took various odd jobs, such as a singing waiter, an aluminum siding salesman, and a delivery driver. He married Joyce Indig in 1949, and had two children, Brian and Melanie. He divorced his wife in 1961, and remarried her in 1963, only to divorce again in 1970.
Rodney Dangerfield’s Breakthrough and Success
Rodney Dangerfield changed his stage name in the early 1960s, and adopted the persona of a lovable loser who gets no respect from anyone. He got his big break in 1967, when he was booked as a last-minute replacement on The Ed Sullivan Show. He was an instant hit with the audience, and became a regular guest on other shows, such as The Tonight Show and The Dean Martin Show. He also headlined shows in Las Vegas and other venues, and opened his own comedy club, Dangerfield’s, in New York City in 1969.
In 1980, Dangerfield made his breakthrough in movies, playing a loudmouthed and wealthy golfer in the comedy Caddyshack. He followed this with two more successful movies, Easy Money and Back to School, in which he played similar characters who clash with the establishment. He also released a comedy album, Rappin’ Rodney, which earned him a Grammy nomination. He continued to work in movies, television, and stand-up throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in films such as Ladybugs, Natural Born Killers, and Little Nicky. He also voiced characters in animated shows, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy.
