Guy Madison was one of the familiar faces of mid-century American Westerns, best remembered for playing Wild Bill Hickok on television. His career ranged from Hollywood movies in the 1940s to television, radio and international westerns in the decades that followed.
Who Was Guy Madison?
Guy Madison was born Robert Moseley on January 19, 1922 in Bakersfield, California. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before making his way to Hollywood.
He started his acting career in 1944 when he was on leave and was spotted by talent scout Henry Willson. Madison was later signed to an RKO contract and started to appear in movies.
He had a small part in the 1944 film Since You Went Away. He soon found himself in more significant roles, such as the 1946 film Till the End of Time. The film was a hit and made Madison a young Hollywood star.
He was cast with Shirley Temple in Honeymoon in 1947. He remained active in film during the late 1940s, making dramas and westerns.
Guy Madison Net Worth at the Time of His Death
At the time of his death, Guy Madison’s net worth was estimated to be $10 million.
Madison made occasional appearances after his peak years of fame, but by the 1980s and 1990s, his earnings from entertainment had dropped significantly.
He passed away on February 6, 1996, at the age of 74, from emphysema. His last years were far from the glory days of his Wild Bill Hickok.
Considering his career earnings, potential residuals and pension benefits, real estate, investments, taxes, family expenses and the drop in his acting income, a reasonable estimate of Guy Madison’s net worth in 1996 dollars is $500,000 to $1 million.
In today’s purchasing power, that range is approximately $1 million to $2 million, but today’s inflation comparisons do not imply that the underlying assets would have the same market value today.
Facts about Guy Madison Net Worth
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Robert Moseley |
| Stage Name | Guy Madison |
| Known For | Playing Wild Bill Hickok |
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Bakersfield, California, U.S. |
| Profession | Actor |
| Active Years | 1944–1979 |
| Breakthrough Role | The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok |
| Wild Bill Hickok Run | 1951–1958 |
| Hickok Episodes | 113 episodes |
| Notable Films | Since You Went Away, Till the End of Time, Honeymoon |
| Golden Globe | New Star of the Year – Male, 1954 |
| Military Service | U.S. Navy during World War II |
| Later Career | European films, Westerns and television appearances |
| Final Major TV Appearance | Fantasy Island, 1979 |
| Death Date | February 6, 1996 |
| Age at Death | 74 |
| Cause of Death | Emphysema |
| Residence Later in Life | Morongo Valley, California |
| Estimated Net Worth at Death | 500,000–1 million |
| Modern Equivalent | Approximately 1–2 million |
| Primary Sources of Wealth | Film, television, radio, residuals, pensions and property |
The Wild Bill Hickok Breakthrough
Madison became nationally famous when he was cast as Wild Bill Hickok in The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.
The television Western premiered in 1951 and continued until 1958. Madison made 113 appearances, and the role was the most significant television role of his career.
There was also a radio version of the series, which aired for much of the same time. The role brought Madison a much larger audience than his previous film work, as television Westerns were very popular during the 1950s.
He was also recognized for his performance. Madison was awarded a Golden Globe in 1954 for New Star of the Year – Male.
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok was probably the most successful time in Madison’s earning power. The exact terms of the contracts are not easily available, but the heads of television shows of the time could make hundreds or thousands of dollars per episode or per week.
Based on similar period salaries, a reasonable estimate is that Madison earned a low six-figure income from television work on the series, plus other acting and radio work, in nominal 1950s dollars.
How Much Did Guy Madison Earn?
It is difficult to estimate the income of a Hollywood actor who worked primarily from the 1940s to the 1970s because contracts and personal financial records are not fully public.
Madison had multiple sources of income. His first RKO deal guaranteed him a steady income from the films, and he might also receive extra money from each film. His television career then became a big source of income.
| Period | Main Sources | Estimated Income |
| 1944–1949 | RKO films and early movie roles | 150,000–300,000 |
| 1950–1959 | Wild Bill Hickok, films and radio | 200,000–300,000 |
| 1960–1969 | European Westerns and television | 100,000–150,000 |
| 1970–1979 | Occasional film and television work | 20,000–50,000 |
| Estimated career total | Acting-related income | 470,000–800,000 |
His Later Film Career
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok concluded in 1958, and Madison went back to the entertainment industry, but never again achieved the same television stardom.
He was seen on American television shows and worked on international films. In the 1960s, he started working on European action films and westerns, including some of the Italian Western boom films.
These films gave Madison another way to make money, but the pay was typically less than that of the top Hollywood stars.
He also made occasional television appearances. He made another memorable appearance in 1979 on Fantasy Island.
His acting career, however, had slowed down by the mid-1970s.
Other Sources of Wealth
Acting was the main foundation of Madison’s finances, but it was not necessarily his only source of wealth.
As with many veteran actors, he could have received union-related payments and television reruns. The early television era was not the same as today’s systems, and the financial value of the residuals should not be compared to that of today.
Madison could also have pension benefits from his Screen Actors Guild contracts. The amount of any pension benefits he received is not publicly determined, and this should be viewed as part of the overall estimate and not as a confirmed asset.
After his career became less active, Madison lived at a ranch in Morongo Valley, California. The property was probably a significant part of his estate. The property’s value in 1996 dollars is estimated to be between $100,000 and $200,000, but the actual value of the property at the time would depend on the exact condition of the property, the ownership structure, and market conditions.
Taxes, Family Costs and Divorces
Madison worked in decades when federal income-tax rates were high for successful earners. California taxes and normal living expenses would have reduced the amount he could save.
His personal life could also have had an impact on his finances. In 1949, Madison married actress Gail Russell, and the marriage was dissolved in 1954. He later married Sheila Connolly, and that marriage also failed.
These are all factors to take into account when thinking about why a successful actor who has worked for many years may not have left behind many millions of dollars in an estate.
Guy Madison’s Legacy
He started under the old Hollywood studio system, then became a television Western star in the fast-growing medium, and finally worked in international films as the American film industry evolved.
He didn’t make his career on huge blockbuster paychecks. Rather, it was a result of years of consistent effort in the fields of film, television and radio.
That’s why his estimated fortune is so interesting. Madison hasn’t been as successful as the biggest stars in Hollywood, but his long career seems to have been enough to provide him with a comfortable lifestyle and a substantial estate.
