Milburn Stone Net Worth 2024

Milburn Stone is popularly known as an American great actor who is best remembered for his role as Dr. Galen “Doc” Adams in the 1960’s-1970’s epic western series, Gunsmoke. He had a long-spanning career of over five decades, bringing him endless fame and an Emmy Award. Other film assignments include Mystery Plane and The Gamblers.

Born on July 5, 1904, in Burrton, Kansas, he was a man whose work was seen and appraised throughout the Hollywood entertainment world since his name was on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

At the time of his death, he had an approximate net worth of $600,000 based on his successful television and film careers, so he’s a household name and synonymous with Gunsmoke as well as television history, so his legacy lives long after he’s gone.

Biography

Category	Details
Name	Milburn Stone
Birthdate	July 5, 1904
Birthplace	Burrton, Kansas, USA
Death	June 12, 1980 (age 75)
Occupation	Actor
Famous Role	Dr. Galen “Doc” Adams in Gunsmoke
Career Duration	Over 50 years
Gunsmoke Episodes	605 episodes (1955–1975)
Major Awards	Emmy Award (1960)
Hollywood Recognition	Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Notable Films	Mystery Plane, The Gamblers, Young Mr. Lincoln
Marriage	Married 3 times
Daughter	Shirley Stone Gleason
Net Worth at Death	$600,000 (equivalent to $1.8 million today)
Posthumous Honors	Inducted into National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame (1981)

Early Life

Milburn Stone was born on July 5, 1904, in Burrton, Kansas. Being an artist from an early stage, Milburn had the chance for early learning opportunity of his passion towards acting and singing. He represented his high school drama club and sang in a barbershop quartet and enjoyed playing basketball. These activities would lead him further to the passion of his life-television acting.

Another reason that inspired Milburn to enter entertainment was his uncle, Fred Stone, who was a world-famous Broadway comedian. Upon completing his graduation, Milburn worked for a traveling repertory troupe and became a member of the vaudeville song-and-dance team “Stone and Train.” Here, he did get immense show experience on the stage.

Education and Acting Career

Milburn Stone is mainly known for his acting profession in the renowned television program Gunsmoke. At first, he had acted in school dramas before going to vaudeville shows where he played comedy and singing. Stone diligently became a Broadway Star in the Theater District of New York by working hard to perfect his acting. Although his career started in the early 1920s, Doc Adams’s role in Gunsmoke made him famous and etched his name in television history.

There is very little information regarding what Milburn did after high school, but the drama club gave him an excellent grounding in his acting career. Not going to the U.S. Naval Academy proved a good decision since he had always been keen on theater. His passion for acting and the arts marked his life and made him one of the most prominent names in entertainment throughout his lifetime.

Rise to Fame with Gunsmoke

Of course, Milburn Stone is best remembered for playing Dr. Galen “Doc” Adams on the television show Gunsmoke. The show was one of the most popular in U.S. television history. It ran for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975.

Milburn played the role of the wise and caring town doctor for Dodge City in 605 episodes. He went on to win an Emmy Award in 1960. Though Gunsmoke catapulted him to fame and fortune, he showed up with considerable range as an actor in many other films and series.

Personal Life and Family

Milburn Stone led a private, though challenging and happy, life. He was married three times. Firstly, to Ellen Morrison, whom he spent nearly twelve years with before she died in 1937. She left behind for him a lovely daughter known as Shirley Stone Gleason.

Milburn Stone was then married to Jane Garrison, with whom Milburn Stone spent the balance of his life happily during his lifetime. Milburn liked keeping his personal life close to himself, so few details about his family or relationships are known. But like everybody else, he had his family with whom he lived, advised, and encouraged him while chasing his dreams of becoming a famous actor.

Relationships and Parenthood

Milburn Stone was married twice. He had been married to Ellen Morrison in 1925, with whom he had a daughter named Shirley Stone. Later, he divorced the woman and married Jane Garrison in 1939 until he died in 1980. Stone was very affectionate to his daughter, Shirley, who lived on long after his death to complete the legacy of this character. Stone’s family life was kept very private, but people say he always found time for them.

Milburn Stone’s Net Worth

Milburn Stone was a fine actor with an incredibly good luck. When he died in 1980, he had a net worth of about $600,000, translating to some $1.8 million if calculated in today’s inflation money.

Most of his earnings came as an actor, especially in the series role of Doc Adams in Gunsmoke. Besides the current compensation for his regular job, he also made extra money by appearing in films, making guest appearances, and reruns of Gunsmoke.

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Sources of Income

Television Roles: He primarily earned income from his iconic role as Doc Adams on Gunsmoke, which ran for 20 years.

• Film Appearances: He made additional money through various movie roles.
• Guest Appearances: He participated in guest spots on other TV shows, which boosted his visibility and earnings.
• Royalties and Residuals: He continued to earn money from reruns and syndication of Gunsmoke after it ended.
• Theatrical Performances: He earned from live theater performances, enhancing his reputation as a skilled actor.
• Investments: He likely invested his earnings in real estate and other ventures, contributing to his overall wealth.

Influence on Future Generations

Milburn Stone’s portrayal in Gunsmoke revolutionized the representation of doctors on TV. He crafted a competent and relatable character, establishing a benchmark for future depictions of medical professionals. His influence still resonates with actors and writers today.

Recognition and Awards

Along with his career, he received many accolades and recognitions. He was decorated with the Emmy he received for his performance in Gunsmoke in 1968. His Hollywood Walk of Fame star indicates how much he meant to the entertainment world. Sustaining talent like his and hard work are enough to leave a space that can be remembered in the very eyes and hearts of audiences and fellow actors.

Investments and Financial Planning

Milburn Stone must have been wise about his money to ensure he could live comfortably. Then, most actors invested their money in real estate, which never depreciates. So, it would not come as a surprise if Stone consulted financial planners and developed a diversified investment portfolio, which included equities, bonds, and other investments. Such prudence may have paved the way for him to live a comfortable life.

Financial Success Through Acting

Most of his earnings came from playing the role of Gunsmoke, for which he was on 605 episodes. Besides doing Gunsmoke, he acted in something like 168 movies, although these brought more money into his coffers.

One significant event of his career was when he sold his rights to benefit from the reruns of Gunsmoke for $100,000 in 1961 equivalent, with inflation-adjusted, that would come to around $900,000 in today’s terms. But the sale signaled much about what his work was worth.

Legacy and Impact

Milburn Stone significantly impacted the entertainment industry, particularly for his portrayal of Doc Adams in Gunsmoke. He is remembered as a kind and caring character, contributing to his popularity. His character had a lasting impact on American television, as the show ran for 20 years and became a cultural icon.

His performance helped establish a new standard for enduring TV dramas, and fans continue to celebrate his work today. Milburn’s acting was akin to creating a beautiful picture that brings smiles to everyone. Through Doc Adams, he taught viewers to be kind and brave, inspiring them to appreciate Western stories and be good friends.

Nationality, Beliefs, and Recognition

Milburn Stone was born in Kansas, USA. Although details about his beliefs are unclear, he was known to be a Christian. He portrayed Doc Adams, a caring frontier doctor, for over 20 years in Gunsmoke, earning respect for his bravery and compassion.

In 1981, he was posthumously added to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Great Western Performers. His legacy continues as new generations discover his role, symbolizing kindness and community service. Milburn’s impact is remembered in TV history and by fans everywhere.

Hobbies and Fun Facts

Milburn Stone enjoyed various fun activities, just like anyone else. He loved acting in plays, pretending to be different characters, and watching movies on the big screen. Basketball was another passion of his, which he played in high school and continued to enjoy. He also liked collecting unique items, similar to how kids collect stickers or toy cars. Most importantly, Milburn cherished spending time with his family, whether playing games or talking.

Fun Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Milburn Stone:

• He started by getting his first job on the stage; he would put on funny costumes and make people laugh.
• He once performed on Broadway, the street in New York City connected to many theaters.
• He once flew an airplane in a movie; he was not a real pilot. Milburn received numerous acting awards. He earned a gold star when he attended school.
• Though he played a medical doctor on television, in life, he never was, but he still learned much from that experience.
• Also, he was rewarded with a special college award for outstanding acting, like a supergold star

These interests and achievements made Milburn Stone memorable in and out of the camera.

Career in Film and TV

Milburn Stone had a diversified serious approach in cinema as well as television. He started in the 1930s with serials such as “Tailspin Tommy,” which gave him precious experience. He then went on to act in films, including “Young Mr. Lincoln” of 1939, which exhibited his talent for both dramas and comedies.

In 1955 Milburn entered film when he was cast in the western TV series “Gunsmoke” as a type of frontier doctor called “Doc” Adams. He played the character for 20 years and is very highly regarded with regards to his dedication to the character and its history.

Even as he was working on “Gunsmoke,” Milburn continued to work in films, proving himself committed to his craft. His journey through vaudeville, film, and television proved that Milburn Stone was a Hollywood legend.

Health and Connections

In 1971, Milburn Stone underwent coronary artery bypass surgery at the University of Alabama Hospital, when he had a two clinical deaths. He also knew Ronald Reagan, former president, and president of the United States and actor. Milburn’s brother, Joe, wrote scripts for three episodes of “Gunsmoke.”

Memorable Quotes from Doc Adams

Here are some famous quotes from Milburn’s character, Dr. Galen “Doc” Adams, on “Gunsmoke”:

• “It’s so bad you couldn’t bear to put your hand in your pocket for the two dollars you’ll owe me, could you?”
• “No, you’d rather stand out in pain all day, wouldn’t you?”
• “Oh, hush up! I’m trying to help you. It doesn’t cost a lot to buy a little lot.”
• “There’s wonderful land values outside of Dodge. Why don’t you go look around and buy yourself a lot?”
• “Oh, well, it’s nitrous oxide. It’s an anesthetic and pretty dangerous if you get too much of it.”

Milburn Stone: Death 

Milburn Stone died of a heart attack at La Jolla, California, on June 12, 1980. A heart attack takes place when a blockage in blood flow to the heart occurs due to such factors as family history, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stress, and high cholesterol.

In 1981, he was posthumously elected into the Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

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