Alan King
Film & Theater Personalities

Alan King Net Worth

Alan King was a Jewish American actor and comedian who rose from poverty to become one of the most beloved and respected comedians of his time. He was known for his sharp wit and angry humorous rants, and his conversational style of delivering his jokes connected him to his audience. He opened for many celebrities and made appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, increasing his popularity. He was also a talented actor who starred in many movies, in both comic and serious roles, and was involved in theatre productions. In addition to show business, King was a political activist and campaigned for John and Robert Kennedy.
Alan King is a member of Film & Theater Personalities

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? American actor
Birth Day December 26, 1927
Birth Place New York City, United States
Age 93 YEARS OLD
Died On May 9, 2004(2004-05-09) (aged 76)\nNew York City, New York, U.S.
Birth Sign Capricorn
Cause of death Lung cancer
Occupation Actor, comedian, writer, film producer
Years active 1942–2004
Spouse(s) Jeanette Sprung (1947–2004; his death; 3 children)

💰 Net worth: $7 Million (2024)

As of 2024, Alan King's net worth is estimated to be $7 million. He is widely recognized as an American actor, with a successful career in the entertainment industry. Having established himself in the United States, Alan King has garnered a significant fan base and gained admiration for his remarkable performances. Throughout his career, he has showcased his versatility and dedication to his craft. As a result, he has achieved both critical acclaim and financial success, contributing to his impressive net worth.

Biography/Timeline

1947

King married Jeanette Sprung in 1947. They had three children, Andrew, Robert, and Elainie Ray. His wife persuaded him to move to Forest Hills, Queens for their children, and later, to Great Neck, Long Island, where he lived for the rest of his life. There, he developed comedy revolving around life in suburbia. With America moving to suburbs, King's humor took off.

1950

He began opening for celebrities including Judy Garland, Patti Page, Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Lena Horne and Tony Martin. When Martin was cast in the movie Hit the Deck, he suggested King for a part, which resulted in his first movie role. King played small roles in movies in the 1950s, but disliked playing stereotypical roles that he described as "always the sergeant from Brooklyn named Kowalski".

1961

Like many other Jewish comics, King worked the Catskill circuit known as the Borscht Belt. His career took off after appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Perry Como Show and The Garry Moore Show. Living just outside New York City, King was frequently available when Sullivan needed an act to fill in for a last-minute cancellation. King also became a regular guest host for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and he hosted the Oscars in 1972 and was the MC for President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. King was the long-standing host of the New York Friar's Club Celebrity roasts and also served as the club's Historian. He headlined two unsold television pilots on CBS, both titled The Alan King Show. The first aired on September 8, 1961; the second aired on July 12, 1986.

1970

Throughout his life, King was deeply involved in charity work. He founded the Alan King Medical Center in Jerusalem, raised funds for the Nassau Center for Emotionally Disturbed Children (near his home in Kings Point, New York), and established a chair in dramatic arts at Brandeis University. He also created the Laugh Well program, which sends comedians to hospitals to perform for patients. In the 1970s, King turned his passion for tennis into a pro tournament at Caesars Palace Las Vegas called the Alan King Tennis Classic, which was carried on national TV by the TVS Television Network. He also started the Toyota Comedy Festival. He was survived by his wife—appropriately a theme of one of his most famous routines—Jeanette Sprung, whom he married in 1947, and their three children.

1988

King was the first recipient (1988) of the award for American Jewish humor from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. The award was ultimately renamed in his honor.

1995

King eventually expanded his range and made a name for himself in a wide variety of films. He often portrayed Gangsters, as in Casino (1995) and Night and the City (1992), both starring Robert De Niro, as well as I, the Jury (1982) and Cat's Eye (1985). He frequently worked for Director Sidney Lumet, beginning with Bye Bye Braverman (1968) and The Anderson Tapes (1971). Lumet later cast him in a starring role in Just Tell Me What You Want (1980), a provocative comedy about a ruthless Business mogul and his TV-producer mistress (Ali MacGraw). He also played himself in an uncredited cameo in Lumet's film Prince of the City (1981).

2004

King, who smoked cigars heavily (a fact that came up in his routines from time to time), died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan on May 9, 2004, from lung cancer. He was buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, Queens. The movie Christmas with the Kranks was dedicated to his memory at the end of the credits before the 1492 Pictures logo. He is also referenced in the end credits of Rush Hour 3.

Some Alan King images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.