Harry Dean Stanton net worth was estimated to be around $10 million at the time of his passing in 2017. Harry Dean Stanton was an American actor and musician born on July 14, 1926, and passed on September 15, 2017. His career lasted over sixty years. He was famous for his roles in many films including “Cool Hand Luke,” “Kelly’s Heroes,” etc.
Stanton also appeared in “Escape from New York,” “Christine,” “Repo Man,” and “Pretty in Pink,”. Other notable films include “The Green Mile,” “Alpha Dog,” and “The Avengers”. Although he mainly played supporting roles, he had leading parts in “Paris Texas,” and “Lucky”.
Harry Dean Stanton in Brief
| Full Name | Harry Dean Stanton |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | West Irvine, Kentucky, USA |
| Died | September 15, 2017 |
| Occupation | Actor, Musician |
| Height | 5 ft 7 inches (172 cm) |
| Partners | Rebecca De Mornay and others |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
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What is Harry Dean Stanton Net Worth in 2024?
Harry Dean Stanton was an American actor and musician with a net worth of $10 Million at the time of his death, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Harry Dean Stanton’s net worth came from his long and varied career in acting.
Over the decades, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows, becoming known for his distinctive presence and versatile roles. Some of his most famous movies include “Paris, Texas,” “Repo Man,” and “Alien.”
He also worked in television series like “Big Love.” His success in both film and TV, along with his reputation as a talented and respected actor, significantly contributed to his wealth.
Harry Dean Stanton’s Early Life and Education
Harry Dean Stanton was born in West Irvine Kentucky to Sheridan Harry Stanton a tobacco farmer and barber and Ersel Moberly a cook. His parents divorced during his high school years and both later remarried.
Stanton grew up in a musically inclined family with two younger brothers and a younger half-brother. He went to Lafayette High School and then to the University of Kentucky in Lexington. At the university, he performed at the Guignol Theatre under Wallace Briggs and studied journalism and radio arts.
In a 2011 documentary “Harry Dean Stanton: Crossing Mulholland” Stanton once mentioned that he considered being a writer but chose acting instead.
He felt acting would allow him to explore all his interests including singing. Encouraged by Briggs Stanton left college to pursue acting. He later trained at the Pasadena Playhouse in California where he befriended Tyler MacDuff and Dana Andrews.
During World War II, Stanton served in the U.S. Navy working as a cook on the USS LST-970 during the Battle of Okinawa.
Harry Dean Stanton’s Career
Harry Dean Stanton was a versatile actor who appeared in both indie and mainstream films. His film credits include “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Godfather Part II,” Alien Pretty in “Pink Christine,” and “The Green Mile.”
He was a favorite of directors like Sam Peckinpah, John Milius, David Lynch, and Monte Hellman and was friends with Francis Ford Coppola and Jack Nicholson even serving as Nicholson’s best man in 1962.
Stanton’s TV career began in 1954 with Inner Sanctum. He played small roles in shows like “Have Gun – Will Travel” and films like “Tomahawk Trail.” His big break came with the lead role in “Paris, Texas” thanks to playwright Sam Shepard who discovered him in a bar.
Film critic Roger Ebert praised Stanton saying any film with him or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role is usually good though he admitted Dream a Little Dream didn’t meet that standard.
Throughout his career, Stanton appeared in many TV shows like “Gunsmoke,” “Rawhide,” “The Untouchables,” and “Bonanza.” He also made guest appearances on shows like “Two and a Half Men” and had a notable role in “Big Love” as Roman Grant.
Besides acting, Harry Dean Stanton dabbled in music performing in nightclubs and appearing in music videos for Dwight Yoakam, Ry Cooder, and Bob Dylan. He even played harmonica on The Call’s 1989 album.
In his later years, Stanton appeared in Chuck the Avengers and Seven Psychopaths. He was the subject of the 2013 documentary “Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction.”
His final roles included appearances in “Twin Peaks: The Return” and the film “Lucky” where he portrayed a 90-year-old man facing old age.
Harry Dean Stanton’s Personal Life
Harry Dean Stanton never married, but he did have a brief relationship with actress Rebecca De Mornay from 1981 to 1982. He once mentioned that he might have had kids out of wedlock, but he didn’t go into details.
Stanton and De Mornay parted ways when she started dating Tom Cruise during the making of “Risky Business.” He was close friends with Jack Nicholson and served as the best man at Nicholson’s wedding to Sandra Knight in 1962. After Nicholson and Knight divorced in 1968, Stanton and Nicholson lived together for two years.
Since 2011, Lexington, Kentucky, has hosted the annual Harry Dean Stanton Fest to honor his diverse film career and celebrate his local roots. The festival also featured gallery shows of artwork related to Stanton in 2012 and 2013.
Harry Dean Stanton’s Songs
Harry Dean Stanton made a memorable impact on music. In 1989, Deborah Harry honored him in her song “I Want That Man” which opens with the line “I want to dance with Harry Dean.” According to her memoir, Stanton heard the song and later met her at a London club.
Stanton also appears in “The Killers” 2013 song “Christmas in L.A.” The music video starts with a conversation between Owen Wilson and Stanton.
Pop Will Eat Itself featured a song named “Harry Dean Stanton” on their album The Looks or the Lifestyle. His iconic role in Paris Texas inspired Hayes Carll’s 2019 song “American Dream” with lyrics reflecting his role in the film and its portrayal of the American dream.
Ian McNabb released a song called “Harry Dean Stanton” on his 2021 album Utopian. McNabb admitted he didn’t know much about Stanton but crafted the song around the actor’s name blending his own experiences with a nod to classic storytelling styles.
Harry Dean Stanton’s Death
Harry Dean Stanton passed away at the age of 91 on September 15, 2017, due to heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His cremated remains were placed in a small marker at a cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
