Albert Francis Molinaro was born as Umberto Francesco Molinaro on the 24th June 1919, in Kenosha, Wisconsin USA and was and actor, who as just Al Molinaro was most famous for his roles in the popular TV sitcoms “Happy Days” and “The Odd Couple”. Al Molinaro died in 2013.
Have you ever wondered how much wealth this talented acting veteran accumulated during his life? How rich Al Molinaro was? According to sources, Al Molinaro’s net worth was estimated at $10 million, acquired largely throughout his acting career which lasted for almost 40 years, between 1954 and 1993.
Al Molinaro Net Worth $10 million
Al Molinaro was born into a prominent family of Italian immigrants, the 9th child of Teresa and Raffaele Molinaro. As a teenager during high school, Al Molinaro discovered his interest in music as well as public speaking – he played clarinet and even joined a local group on their tour. After high school, Al got his first job at the Vincent-McCall furniture spring factory, and after only four months the 19 years old Al became a union leader, but just a year later he started serving as Kenosha City Manager’s assistant. In the 1950s, Al Molinaro moved to Los Angeles where he began working a series of odd jobs including salesman position at Reginald Denny’s Hobby Shop, George Pal’s studio as action animator as well as manager of M&G Grand Variety Store. His sense for business led him to become a bill collector and soon after he got his own bill collecting agency. Eventually, Al sold his company and turned to real estate business. All these ventures provided for Al’s financial independence, and helped him to pursue his childhood dream – an acting career. Obviously his net worth was already well established.
Molinaro’s first movie appearance came in 1954 in – at that time – the rather controversial comedy “Love Me Madly”. In the 1960s, Al Molinaro started taking acting and improvisation classes, and was immediately offered several guest roles in various TV series and commercials. His TV debut came in 1969 when he appeared as Agent 44 in the “Get Smart” TV series. His acting career started rising rapidly, and soon he was offered more significant roles.
The real breakthrough in Molinaro’s acting career came in 1970 when he was cast in the iconic role of police officer Murray Greshler in Garry Marshall’s sitcom “The Odd Couple”. The show aired for five years, during which Al managed to win the hearts of many fans all over the States. This role, besides helping Al to establish himself in the acting world, dramatically increased his popularity as well as his fortune.
In 1976, Al joined the crew of another Garry Marshall’s sitcom – “Happy Days” in which he appeared ‘til 1982 as the owner of Arnold’s Drive-In – Al Delvecchio. Molinaro also reprised the role in the show’s final seasons in 1984.
Apart from generating further huge popularity, this role is still considered his most significant and notable in his entire acting career. Doubtlessly, this engagement made a huge, positive, impact on Al Molinaro’s overall net worth.
Before retirement, Al Molinaro appeared in 17 TV series including, apart from those already mentioned, “Green Acres”, “Love, American Style”, “Joanie Loves Chachi” and “The Family Man”. Also, he appeared in over 100 TV commercials, several TV movies and numerous theatrical plays.
When it comes to his personal life, Al Molinaro was married twice. In 1948, he married Jacqueline Martin, with whom he adopted one child. However, Al divorced Jacqueline in 1980, to marry Betty Farrell just a year later in 1981, they stayed together until his death took them apart. Al passed away at the age of 96 from an infected gallbladder, in Glendale, California, on the 30th October 2015.
