Wayne Newton is an American singer, actor and entertainer who has a net worth of $50 million as of 2023. He is best known for his musical hits, such as “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast”, and for his sold-out Las Vegas performances, of which there have been over 30,000.
He is also known by the nicknames “The Midnight Idol”, “Mr. Las Vegas” and “Mr. Entertainment”. In this article, we will explore how Newton built his career, what are his sources of income, and what are his challenges and achievements.
From Norfolk to Nevada
Newton was born Carson Wayne Newton on April 3, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia, to a mechanic father and a homemaker mother. He learned to play the piano, guitar and steel guitar at the age of six, and began performing in local clubs, fairs and theaters with his older brother, Jerry.
Due to Newton’s severe asthma, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1952, where he continued to pursue his musical passion. He dropped out of high school to focus on his career and moved to Las Vegas in 1958, where he was discovered by a booking agent. He and his brother performed as the Rascals in Rhythm for five years, doing six shows a day. He also appeared on TV shows like “The Jackie Gleason Show” and “Bonanza”.
The Rise of a Star
Newton signed with Capitol Records in 1963 and released his first album, “Danke Schoen”, which became a hit and reached No. 13 on the Billboard charts. This song became his signature song and was later used in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in 1986. He also recorded other popular songs, such as “Summer Wind”, “Red Roses for a Blue Lady”, and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast”.
He was mentored by some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Elvis Presley. He also achieved headliner status at the Flamingo Hotel in 1963, and soon became one of the most popular performers in Las Vegas. He was dubbed “Mr. Las Vegas” by the media and the public, and earned millions of dollars from his shows.
The Challenges and Achievements
Newton faced some challenges in his personal and professional life. He filed for bankruptcy in 1992, after accumulating debts of $20 million from lawsuits, taxes and bad investments. He also faced health problems, such as a heart infection, pneumonia and vocal cord paralysis.
He underwent several surgeries and therapies to recover his voice and health. He also faced legal issues, such as a dispute over the ownership of his mansion, Casa de Shenandoah, which he eventually sold in 2010. He also had two marriages and two children.
Despite these difficulties, Newton also had many achievements and honors. He performed for several US presidents, such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. He also performed for the troops in Vietnam and Iraq. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976, and was inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame in 2000.
He also received the USO’s Spirit of Hope Award in 2008, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2009. He also appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as “Vegas Vacation”, “Ocean’s Eleven”, “The Bachelorette” and “Dancing with the Stars”.
Conclusion
Wayne Newton is a legendary singer, actor and entertainer who has a net worth of $50 million as of 2023. He is famous for his musical hits and his Las Vegas shows, where he has performed over 30,000 times.
He is also known as “The Midnight Idol”, “Mr. Las Vegas” and “Mr. Entertainment”. He has faced some challenges and achievements in his career, but he has also earned the respect and admiration of millions of fans and peers. He is one of the most iconic and influential figures in the American entertainment industry.