Allen Funt
TV Presenters

Allen Funt Net Worth

Allen Funt was an American television producer and host best known for creating and hosting the television series 'Candid Camera'. After graduating and serving in the Army Signal Corps during World War II, he developed an interest in wireless portable recorders and used them to record people's reactions to uncanny and bizarre situations. His show was an instant hit and he went on to produce two feature films, write three books, and record several albums, all based on the concept of the hidden camera. He was a pioneer of reality-based television and his catch-phrase, "Smile, you're on Candid Camera" is still remembered today.
Allen Funt is a member of TV Presenters

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Television Host
Birth Day September 16, 1914
Birth Place New York City, New York, U.S., United States
Age 106 YEARS OLD
Died On September 5, 1999(1999-09-05) (aged 84)\nPebble Beach, California, US
Birth Sign Libra
Occupation Producer, director, writer
Years active 1948–1990
Spouse(s) Evelyn Michal (m. 1946–64) Marilyn Laron (m. 1964–78)
Children Peter, Patricia, John, Juliet, William

💰 Net worth: $13 Million (2024)

Allen Funt, a renowned television host in the United States, is reported to have an estimated net worth of $13 million in 2024. Widely recognized for his iconic show called "Candid Camera," Funt gained immense popularity for his humorous and sometimes elaborate pranks on unsuspecting participants. With his innovative approach to entertainment, Funt was able to captivate audiences and cement his place in the American television industry. As a result, his impressive net worth is a testament to his successful career and the impact he made on the world of television.

Biography/Timeline

1934

Allen graduated from New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, New York City at age 15. Too young to attend college on his own, he studied at Pratt Institute (also located in Brooklyn). He later earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Cornell University in 1934, studied Business administration at Columbia University, then returned to Pratt for additional art instruction.

1946

In 1946, Funt married Evelyn Michal (1920–2014) with whom he had three children, Peter, Patricia and John. In 1964 the couple was divorced and the same year Funt married Marilyn Laron, whom he divorced in 1978. The couple had two children, Juliet and william. Funt had seven grandchildren.

1947

Drafted into the military during World War II and stationed in Oklahoma, Funt served in the Army Signal Corps, eventually making radio shows. He began the show on ABC Radio as The Candid Microphone on June 28, 1947, and it ran until September 23, 1948. The program was revived on CBS June 6 – August 29, 1950. He soon experimented with a visual version by doing a series of theatrical short films also known as Candid Microphone. These film shorts served as a springboard for his entrance into television on August 10, 1948. The show ran on all three major TV networks and in syndication while hosted by Allen Funt until he was sidelined by a stroke in 1993. The syndicated version of Candid Camera was broadcast from 1974 to 1979; his co-hosts included, at various times, John Bartholomew Tucker, Phyllis George and Jo Ann Pflug.

1952

Funt wrote several books, beginning with Eavesdropper at Large: Adventures in Human Nature with "Candid Mike" (Vanguard Press, 1952). He followed Candid Kids (Bernard Geis, 1964) with Candidly, Allen Funt: A Million Smiles Later (Barricade Books, 1994).

1969

On February 3, 1969, Funt, his wife, and his two youngest children boarded Eastern Airlines FLIGHT 7 in Newark, New Jersey with a destination of Miami, Florida. While en route, two men hijacked the plane and demanded passage to Cuba. However, some of the passengers, having spotted Funt, believed the whole thing to be a Candid Camera stunt. Funt repeatedly attempted to persuade his fellow passengers as to the reality of the hijacking, but to no avail. The plane later landed in Cuba, finally convincing the passengers.

1970

During the 1970s, Funt made two documentary films based on the hidden camera theme: the X-rated What Do You Say to a Naked Lady? (1970) and Money Talks (1972). In the 1980s, Funt produced a series of adult-oriented videos called Candid Candid Camera.

1990

Funt resided in Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York. His estate, White Gates, was sold to opera singer Jessye Norman in the early 1990s. Funt later purchased an 1,226 acres (496 ha) ranch located 12 mi (19 km) south of Carmel near Big Sur, California, "where he raised Hereford cattle and quarter horses" Funt owned the property for over 30 years and later purchased the nearby 11-acre Bixby Ranch where he resided. Both ranches were eventually bought by The Trust for Public Land which expected to turn the land over to the US Forest Service.

1993

After a stroke in 1993, he became incapacitated and died in 1999 in Pebble Beach, California, 11 days before his 85th birthday. Candid Camera continued with his son, Peter Funt, as host.

Some Allen Funt 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.