Research suggests Robert Wagner has built a remarkable fortune over the decades in entertainment, with estimates around $20 million, though figures can vary based on sources and assets. It seems likely that his wealth stems largely from acting, but real estate and endorsements have played roles too. Evidence leans toward a stable financial picture, despite past controversies surrounding his personal life.
Key Highlights
- Longevity in Hollywood: Over 70 years in film and TV, from 1950s leading man to modern guest spots.
- Iconic Roles: Best remembered for TV hits like Hart to Hart and films like The Towering Inferno.
- Personal Resilience: Navigated high-profile marriages and tragedies, raising a family amid fame.
- Financial Success: Built wealth through salaries, investments, and property deals.
Who Is Robert Wagner?
Robert Wagner, a charming actor with a career spanning generations, first caught eyes in classic films and later became a TV staple. Known for his smooth style and versatile roles, he has entertained audiences since the 1950s.
Why He’s Notable
His journey from Detroit kid to Hollywood star shows determination, with hits in spy thrillers, comedies, and dramas. Even at 95, his work inspires, blending old-school glamour with modern appeal.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert John Wagner Jr. |
| Nickname / Stage Name | RJ, The Brylcreem Kid |
| Date of Birth | February 10, 1930 |
| Age | 95 (as of January 2026) |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known For | It Takes a Thief, Hart to Hart, Austin Powers trilogy |
| Height | 6 feet (1.83 m) |
| Family / Spouse | Married to Jill St. John (since 1990); previously married to Natalie Wood (twice) and Marion Marshall; daughters Katie, Courtney; raised stepdaughter Natasha |
| Education | Graduated from Saint Monica Catholic High School (1949) |
| Social Media Followers | Instagram: Approximately 111,000 |
| Estimated Net Worth | $20 million (combined with Jill St. John) |
Robert Wagner stands as one of Hollywood’s enduring figures, with a career that has touched film, television, and even stage work over more than seven decades. Best known for his charismatic presence in shows like Hart to Hart and films such as The Towering Inferno, Wagner’s story blends talent, resilience, and a touch of classic star power. His net worth, estimated at around $20 million in 2026, reflects earnings from acting gigs, smart property moves, and other ventures, though these figures are approximations based on public data from sites like Celebrity Net Worth. This profile dives into his biography, from humble beginnings to lasting fame, highlighting key moments that shaped his path.
Early Life and Background
Born Robert John Wagner Jr. on February 10, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, Wagner grew up in a working-class family during the Great Depression. His father, Robert John Wagner Sr., was a traveling salesman for Ford Motor Company, while his mother, Thelma Hazel Alvera, worked as a telephone operator. He had an older sister, Mary Scott. The family relocated to Bel-Air, Los Angeles, in 1937, seeking better opportunities, which exposed young Wagner to the glamour of Hollywood.
As a child, Wagner showed an early interest in performing, but he held odd jobs like caddying for stars such as Clark Gable to make ends meet. He attended schools in California, graduating from Saint Monica Catholic High School in 1949. These formative years fueled his ambition; a chance spotting by a talent scout at a Beverly Hills restaurant launched him into acting. Starting small, he took uncredited roles, building toward his big break.
Career Journey and Achievements
Wagner’s entry into Hollywood came with an uncredited debut in The Happy Years (1950), followed by a contract with 20th Century Fox. Early supporting parts in films like Halls of Montezuma (1951) and With a Song in My Heart (1952), where he played a shell-shocked veteran, showcased his dramatic range and earned notice.
By the mid-1950s, he landed leading roles in hits like Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953), a box-office success thanks to its CinemaScope format, and Prince Valiant (1954). He tackled darker characters in A Kiss Before Dying (1956) as a murderer, proving his versatility. The 1960s brought memorable parts in The Pink Panther (1963) as George Lytton and Harper (1966). However, after The Pink Panther, film offers dwindled, leading to a period of unemployment.
Wagner smartly pivoted to television, starring as suave thief Alexander Mundy in It Takes a Thief (1968-1970), earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe nod. He followed with Switch (1975-1978) as a con man turned detective. His biggest TV triumph was Hart to Hart (1979-1984), playing millionaire Jonathan Hart opposite Stefanie Powers, which ran for 111 episodes and garnered four Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984).
The series spawned TV movies like Hart to Hart Returns (1993) and others through 1996. In the 1990s, he revived his film career as the villainous Number 2 in the Austin Powers trilogy (1997, 1999, 2002), introducing him to new fans. Later roles included recurring spots as Teddy Leopold on Two and a Half Men (2007-2008) and Anthony DiNozzo Sr. on NCIS (2010-2019, appearing in 13 episodes). He also voiced characters in shows like Futurama (2013) and guest-starred on Hot in Cleveland (2014).
Beyond screen work, Wagner produced projects, performed in stage readings of Love Letters with Powers, and authored memoirs like Pieces of My Heart (2008) and You Must Remember This (2014). His accolades include a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for television in 2002 and the Art Gilmore Career Achievement Award.
Film Career Highlights
Wagner starred in over 100 films, blending romance, action, and comedy. Key movies include The Towering Inferno (1974) as Dan Bigelow and The Concorde… Airport ’79 (1979).
Television Dominance
From spy capers to mystery series, TV defined much of his success, with Hart to Hart becoming a global phenomenon.
Other Ventures
He hosted on Fox Movie Channel and endorsed reverse mortgages for companies like Senior Lending Network (2005) and Guardian First Funding Group (2010-2011).
Personal Life and Relationships
Wagner’s romantic life has been as eventful as his career. He first married actress Natalie Wood on December 28, 1957; they divorced in 1962 but remarried in 1972, welcoming daughter Courtney on March 9, 1974. Tragically, Wood drowned in 1981 near Catalina Island, an event that drew scrutiny; the case remains open, with Wagner named a person of interest in 2018, though no charges were filed.
Between marriages to Wood, he wed Marion Marshall in 1963, having a daughter, Katie (born May 11, 1964); they divorced in 1971. He was briefly engaged to Tina Sinatra (1970-1972). Since 1990, he has been married to actress Jill St. John, with whom he shares a home in Aspen, Colorado, built in 1995. They sold their Brentwood property in 2007 for $14 million.
Wagner raised Wood’s daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner (from her marriage to Richard Gregson) as his own after becoming her guardian. He became a grandfather in 2006 with Katie’s son, Riley. Interests include golf, skiing in Aspen, and philanthropy. He maintains an active Instagram presence with about 111,000 followers, sharing career memories.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
Estimates place Robert Wagner’s net worth at $20 million in 2026, combined with Jill St. John, drawn from public data and not officially verified. Primary income sources include acting salaries, such as $75,000 for All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960), and earnings from long-running TV series like Hart to Hart.
Real estate has boosted his fortune: He bought a Brentwood home for $220,000 in 1983, expanded it, and sold for $14 million in 2007. He owns an Aspen house and a Los Angeles condo. Endorsements for reverse mortgages added income, along with book sales from his three memoirs. Investments and residuals from syndication deals, especially Austin Powers, contribute too. Remember, net worth estimates use available info and can fluctuate.
Notable Facts and Trivia
- Temporarily blinded for four weeks after a foaming agent accident on The Pink Panther set, but director Blake Edwards kept him on.
- Caddied for Clark Gable as a teen, sparking his Hollywood dreams.
- Portrayed by Michael Weatherly in The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004); later played Weatherly’s character’s father on NCIS.
- His wife Jill St. John, Natalie Wood, and Stefanie Powers all took ballet classes together as kids.
- Authored books sharing Hollywood memories, such as I Loved Her in the Movies (2016).
- Reunited with Raquel Welch on Date My Dad (2017), their first collaboration in decades.
| Fun Fact Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Jobs | Golf caddy for stars like Clark Gable |
| On-Set Mishaps | Blinded temporarily during Pink Panther filming |
| Family Ties | Raised stepdaughter Natasha; grandfather since 2006 |
| Hollywood Links | Discovered at a restaurant; long friendship with Stefanie Powers |
| Recent Work | Voiced in Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) using archival clips |
Impact and Legacy
Robert Wagner matters for bridging Hollywood’s golden age with modern entertainment. His shift from 1950s films to TV successes like It Takes a Thief and Hart to Hart influenced how stars adapted to changing media. He popularized the charming anti-hero in spy shows and added humor to blockbusters like Austin Powers.
His influence extends to culture: Hart to Hart inspired mystery duos, while his resilience amid personal loss inspires fans. At 95, living in Aspen, he remains active on social media, sharing stories that preserve Old Hollywood’s charm. Books like You Must Remember This celebrate the era’s style and stars, ensuring his legacy as a storyteller and survivor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estimates suggest around $20 million, mainly from acting, real estate, and endorsements, though these are approximations.
He started with small film roles in the 1950s, gained traction in movies like Prince Valiant, then hit big on TV with It Takes a Thief and Hart to Hart.
Multiple Golden Globe nominations, an Emmy nod, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and roles in over 100 films and hit series spanning 70 years.
He has daughters Katie (with Marion Marshall) and Courtney (with Natalie Wood), and raised stepdaughter Natasha Gregson Wagner.
At 95, he lives in Aspen, Colorado, with wife Jill St. John, occasionally appearing in projects and active on Instagram.
He has six wins and eight nominations, including Golden Globes for Hart to Hart and an Emmy for It Takes a Thief.
Memoirs like Pieces of My Heart (2008), You Must Remember This (2014), and I Loved Her in the Movies (2016).
He stands at 6 feet (1.83 meters).
He debuted uncredited in The Happy Years (1950).
His last appearances were in 2021, but he focuses more on personal life and occasional endorsements.
You May Also Like: Sebastian Bach Net Worth (2025): Skid Row Fortune & Career Earnings
