Meredith MacRae
Actress

Meredith MacRae Net Worth

Meredith MacRae was born on May 30, 1944 in Houston, Texas to parents Gordon MacRae, a singer and movie idol, and Sheila MacRae, an actress/comedienne and author. At the age of eight, Meredith started her own acting career and attended UCLA, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She starred in two of television's heyday family sitcoms, Petticoat Junction (1963) and My Three Sons (1960), and guest starred in many other television shows. She also appeared in several movies and had a brief singing career. Meredith married actor Greg Mullavey in 1969 and had one daughter, Allison, born in 1974. In 1995, she married Philip Neal, Chairman and CEO of Avery-Dennison. In 1999, she was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2000 due to complications from multiple surgeries and allergic reactions to medications.
Meredith MacRae is a member of Actress

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actress, Soundtrack, Writer
Birth Day May 30, 1944
Birth Place  Houston, Texas, United States
Age 76 YEARS OLD
Died On July 14, 2000(2000-07-14) (aged 56)\nManhattan Beach, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Gemini
Cause of death Brain cancer
Occupation Film and television actress
Years active 1953–1993
Spouse(s) Richard Berger (1965–1967) Greg Mullavey (1969–1987) Phil Neal (1995–2000; her death)
Children 1
Parent(s) Gordon MacRae Sheila MacRae
Relatives Heather MacRae (sister)

💰 Net worth: $4 Million (2024)

Meredith MacRae, a talented and versatile individual in the entertainment industry, has achieved remarkable success throughout her career. With her net worth estimated to amount to $4 Million in 2024, MacRae has solidified her position as an accomplished actress, soundtrack contributor, and writer in the United States. Her captivating performances have graced numerous film and television productions, captivating audiences with her extraordinary talent and ability to bring characters to life. Moreover, MacRae's contributions to the world of music as a skilled vocalist and to writing have further showcased her artistic prowess. With her remarkable achievements, Meredith MacRae continues to leave a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

Biography/Timeline

1963

MacRae was the sitcom's third Actress to portray Billie Jo. Jeannine Riley played the part in the show's first two years (1963–1965) and Gunilla Hutton in the third year (1965–1966). Both of these actresses played the role as a typical boy-crazy dumb blonde. However, by MacRae's debut on the series, Billie Jo's persona was that of a strong independent woman who focused more on a singing career, a dream she later accomplishes. She remained with the sitcom until its cancellation in 1970.

1964

MacRae married Richard Berger, former President of MGM, in 1964 but divorced four years later. In 1969, she married fellow actor Greg Mullavey (famous for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) and had one child with him, Alison (b. 1974), before divorcing in 1987. Her third and final marriage was in 1995 to Phillip M. Neal, chairman and CEO of Avery-Dennison at the time of their marriage.

1966

In 1966, MacRae signed a contract with CBS to play Billie Jo Bradley on the sitcom Petticoat Junction, starring Bea Benaderet as her television mother and Edgar Buchanan as her television uncle. Her television sisters were Betty Jo, played by Linda Kaye Henning, and Bobbie Jo, played by Lori Saunders.

1968

She made guest appearances on such shows as The Donald O'Connor Show (1968 version), The Dean Martin Show (1971), The F.B.I., The Mike Douglas Show, The Rockford Files, Fantasy Island, Webster, CHiPS, Love American Style, and Magnum, P.I..

1980

In the 1980s she hosted the talk show Mid-Morning Los Angeles, which ran for eight years. She was awarded a local Emmy Award in 1986 for her interviewing skills. Later, she created and hosted Born Famous, a PBS series on which she interviewed the offspring of celebrities.

1985

MacRae was also popular in the game-show genre, appearing in numerous shows including: Funny You Should Ask, Match Game (60's 70's and 90's versions), What's My Line?, I've Got a Secret, Personality, Snap Judgement, He Said, She Said (with then-husband Greg Mullavey), Tattletales (also with Mullavey), Hollywood Squares, The Dating Game, To Tell the Truth, Password (ABC version), $10,000 Pyramid, $25,000 Pyramid, Break the Bank, Celebrity Whew!, Beat the Clock, Card Sharks, The Cross-Wits and Family Feud. She had even hosted an unsold game show pilot called $50,000 a Minute alongside Geoff Edwards in 1985.

1994

In 1994 she narrated the audio book version of columnist Deboarah Laake's book Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond.

1999

In January 1999 MacRae began to experience vertigo and a loss of short-term memory. She was evaluated and her symptoms were initially thought to be due to perimenopause. She returned to her Doctor complaining of severe headaches. She was told the headaches were most likely due to muscle spasms, and was encouraged to do cervical spine stretching. She obtained a second opinion and was diagnosed with brain cancer, which had already progressed to stage 4. Emergency surgery was performed to remove the brain tumor and decrease the pressure in her head. During the operation she suffered cardiac arrest but was resuscitated. Though her cancer was terminal, she agreed to be part of an experimental cancer drug program. She experienced an allergic reaction to the medication that caused swelling to her brain. Two more surgeries were required to relieve the pressure. Her imbalance resulted in a fall that caused her to suffer a fracture to her hip.

2000

On July 14, 2000, MacRae died at her Manhattan Beach home at age 56 from complications of brain cancer. Per her wishes, her body was cremated and her ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

2019

She credited her parents with instilling a proper work ethic in her and for keeping her feet on the ground. She said, “We lived in a modest home in the San Fernando Valley instead of the fashionable Beverly Hills, which the family could have afforded. Mom and Dad didn’t want us to feel superior to the other kids. I had to earn the things I wanted, all the way from dolls to party gowns, by doing chores around the house and taking care of my younger sister and brothers. Lots of kids in my circle automatically got a car when they were 16. Not me. Dad said he would get me a car when I got straight A's two years in a row in school. I slaved away and finally made it. I got the car with the warning that if I didn’t continue with straight A's, it would be taken away.”

Some Meredith MacRae 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.