Hervé Villechaize Net Worth

Hervé Villechaize Net Worth and Salary

What is Hervé Villechaize’s Net Worth?

Hervé Villechaize, a French-American actor and painter, had a net worth of $100 thousand at the time of his death.

Highlights

• Hervé Villechaize had a net worth of $100 thousand at the time of his death.
• He was known for his roles as the henchman on “The Man with the Golden Gun” and as the assistant on “Fantasy Island.”
• Villechaize was born on April 23, 1943, in Paris, France, with dwarfism.
• He studied art and painting at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and became a talented artist.
• Villechaize started his career as a painter and photographer in New York before transitioning to acting.
• His breakthrough role came in the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” in 1974.
• He gained further recognition for his role as Tattoo on the television show “Fantasy Island.”
• Villechaize’s career spanned both film and television, with notable appearances in “Forbidden Zone” and “Airplane II: The Sequel.”
• He earned $25,000 per episode of “Fantasy Island” at the peak of his fame.
• After leaving “Fantasy Island,” Villechaize experienced financial difficulties and eventually exhausted his $3.6 million fortune.
• He passed away on September 4, 1993, at the age of 50, due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Early Life

Hervé Villechaize was born on April 23, 1943, in Paris, France, while the city was under Nazi occupation during World War II. He was the youngest of four sons and was born with dwarfism. Despite his condition, Villechaize showed talent in painting and pursued his artistic interests by enrolling at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. At the age of 16, he became the youngest artist to have his work displayed in the Museum of Paris.

In 1964, Villechaize moved to the United States to further pursue his artistic career. He settled in the Bohemian section of New York City, where he worked as a painter and photographer and began auditioning for Off-Broadway productions.

Career

Villechaize’s career started in New York, where he worked as a painter and photographer before transitioning into acting. He appeared in Off-Broadway productions and gained recognition for his roles in “The Young Master Dante” and a play by Sam Shepard.

His first film role came in 1966 with “Chappaqua,” followed by “Item 72-D: The Adventures of Spa and Fon” in 1969. He continued to work steadily in films throughout the early 1970s and gained his breakthrough role as the henchman in the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” in 1974.

Villechaize’s popularity soared when he was cast as Tattoo in the television show “Fantasy Island” in 1977. He appeared in 132 episodes of the show but was eventually fired due to his challenging behavior on set.

Despite his dismissal from “Fantasy Island,” Villechaize continued to work in the film industry, appearing in movies such as “Forbidden Zone” and “Airplane II: The Sequel.” He also made appearances in television shows like “Sesame Street” and “The Ben Stiller Show.” His final on-screen appearance was in 1992 on “The Ben Stiller Show,” where he portrayed himself.

Personal Life

Villechaize was married twice during his lifetime. He married his first wife, Anne Sadowski, in 1970, but they divorced in 1979. During their marriage, he had a two-year relationship with actress Susan Tyrrell. Villechaize married his second wife, actress Camille Hagen, in 1980, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1982.

Outside of acting, Villechaize was actively involved in a movement in California during the 1970s and 1980s that focused on addressing child abuse and neglect. He would visit crime scenes to provide comfort to victims and confront abusers.

Unfortunately, Villechaize battled depression and chronic pain throughout his life. He made several suicide attempts and ultimately took his own life on September 4, 1993. Friends and family attributed his depression to long-term health problems and chronic pain.

Net Worth Over Time

At the peak of his fame, Villechaize earned $25,000 per episode of “Fantasy Island.” However, after leaving the show, he experienced significant financial difficulties and eventually exhausted his $3.6 million fortune. He was forced to take much lower-paying jobs, leading to a monthly income of $500. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated to be $100 thousand.

Components of Net Worth

Villechaize’s net worth primarily consisted of his earnings from acting and painting. His successful career in Hollywood, particularly his role in “Fantasy Island,” contributed significantly to his net worth. However, mismanagement of his finances and personal struggles, including chronic pain and depression, led to financial difficulties and the depletion of his fortune.

Despite his financial challenges, Hervé Villechaize’s unique talent and contributions to the entertainment industry left a lasting impact. He remains remembered for his iconic roles and artistic abilities.

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