Ken Kercheval was born on 15 July 1935, in Wolcottville, Indiana USA, and is an actor best known for being part of the television series “Dallas” as Cliff Barnes. He was also part of the series revival which aired in 2012. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Ken Kercheval? As of mid-2017, sources estimate a net worth that is at $3 million, mostly earned through a successful career in acting. He’s also appeared in various stage productions and other television shows. He’s been active in the industry since 1962, with his latest acting projects in 2015. All of these achievements ensured the position of his wealth.
Ken Kercheval Net Worth $3 million
Ken started his path towards acting by attending New York City’s The Neighborhood Playhouse where he trained under Sanford Meisner. In 1962, he made his way to the stage in his Broadway debu, in the play entitled “Something About a Solider”. His popularity started to increase and soon he would be part of other productions, including “The Apple Tree”, “Here’s Where I Belong”, and “Cabaret”. He also appeared in several original productions including “Fiddler on the Roof”, co-starring with Maria Kanilova. His net worth started to significantly increase thanks to all of these opportunities.
In 1966, he then found his way to television when became a part of the soap opera “Search for Tomorrow” in which he played Dr. Nick Hunter. Later on, he would become a part of “How to Survive a Marriage” and “The Secret Storm”, and in 1976, he appeared in two episodes of “The Adams Chronicles”.
Film opportunities would also open up for Ken, as he starred in “The Seven-Ups” and “F.I.S.T.”, appearing alongside Sylvester Stallone. Kercheval found more popularity and a significant increase in his net worth when he was cast as part of the television series “Dallas”, in which he played Cliff Barnes. He was part of the show from its pilot in 1978, and held his role until the finale in 1991; during the first two seasons of the show, Kercheval was a recurring cast member, and he was then made into a regular in 1979. He along with Larry Hagman are the only original cast members of the show to have stayed for its entire run. Five years after the finale, he reprised his role in the “Dallas” reunion entitled “JR Returns”. He also appeared in the 2004 special and the 2012 series revival.
Aside from his work in “Dallas”, he often made appearances in “The $25,000 Pyramid” and “Super Password”. He was also cast in the movie “I Still Dream of Jeannie” playing Mr. Simpson – the role was originally for Larry Hagman, but since he was not available, another character was made to be portrayed by Kercheval.
In 2006, Ken returned to the stage once again in the musical entitled “White Christmas”. The following year, he reprised the role, and would also return to the role in 2010. He was also part of the show’s run from 2012 to 2013.
For his personal life, it is known that Kercheval has apparently married four times, all of which ended in divorce, but from which he has five children – he is also a lung cancer survivor.
Dallas, Dallas: J.R. Returns, The Seven-Ups, Pretty Poison, California Casanova, Cover Me Babe, Corporate Affairs, Network, F.I.S.T., Search for Tomorrow, Rabbit, Run, Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell, The Patricia Neal Story, I Still Dream of Jeannie
TV Shows
Dallas, Search for Tomorrow, How to Survive a Marriage, The Secret Storm
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Fact
1
Although he and Larry Hagman fought many battles on Dallas (1978), their most challenging battles were in real-life after the show ended. Both actors faced grim diagnoses and beat the odds. Ken successfully beat lung cancer and Larry underwent a successful liver transplant after being given weeks to live. In 2011, however, Larry was diagnosed with stage-2 throat cancer and succumbed to the disease in November 2012.
2
Was initially cast as Ray Krebbs on Dallas (1978) before being given the role of Cliff Barnes instead.
3
Appeared in almost all of the 357 episodes of Dallas (1978).
4
Along with Larry Hagman, he is one of only two Dallas (1978) cast members to stay with the series throughout its entire run.
5
His father was a doctor and his mother was a nurse.
6
Successfully fought lung cancer in 1993, and had to have a significant portion of his lung removed, as a result of years of heavy smoking
7
Collects early American glass. He also collects regional art of the 1930s and classic Packard automobiles.
8
Attended Indiana University, majoring in music and drama and University of the Pacific in Stockon, California. He also studied acting at the distinguished Neighborhood Playhouse in New York.
$3 Million
