Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis was born on the 3rd April 1944, in New York City, USA, of Puerto Rican and Greek descent. He is probably best recognized for being the former lead singer of the band Tony Orlando and Dawn, but is also known as a record producer and television personality. He has been an active member of the entertainment industry since 1961.
So, have you ever wondered how rich Tony Orlando is, as of mid- 2016? It is estimated by sources that the total size of Tony’s net worth is over $4 million, which has been accumulated through his successful involvement in the entertainment industry as a singer and record producer. Other sources are coming from his careers as an actor and television personality.
Tony Orlando Net Worth $4 Million
Tony Orlando spent his childhood in Hell’s Kitchen, a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, before his family relocated to Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, where his musical career began, when he formed the doo-wop band The Five Gents in 1961. In no time, he achieved his first success by releasing the great hits “Halfway To Paradise” and “Bless You”, among others, establishing his net worth. One of his singles, “Beautiful Dreamer” was picked up by the Beatles, and released on their album “On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2” (2013). The band existed until the late 1960s, when Tony was hired as the General Manager of Columbia Records.
However, he did not stay long in that position, and returned to the music scene as a singer, but this time with another band called Tony Orlando and Dawn, which was formed with Linda November and Toni Wine. Their first single was “Candida”, after which they recorded “Knock Three Times”, reaching number one on the Hot 100 Chart. They continued working, and recorded some of their most popular songs, including “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” (1973), and “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” (1975). Thanks to their accomplishments, Tony created the TV show “The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show”, which was aired on the CBS channel from 1974 to 1976, achieving considerable popularity and increasing his net worth by a large margin.
After 1976, Tony embarked on a solo career, performing in a number of hotels in Las Vegas. Later, in 1993, he established the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Music Theatre in Branson, Missouri, where such music stars as Mel Tillis, Roy Clark, Andy Williams performed, and many others. The theatre operated until 1999, which had a huge influence on the overall size of Tony’s net worth.
Apart from his career as a singer, Tony tried himself as an actor, making his debut appearance in the TV series “Chico And The Man” (1976), playing Tomas Garcia. After that, he was selected for a role in the film “300 Miles For Stephanie” (1981), starring alongside Pepe Serna and Julie Carmen. He also featured in the first season of “The Cosby Show”, in which he portrayed Tony Castillo. All of these appearances contributed to his net worth as well.
If to talk about his personal life, Tony Orlando has been married to Francine Amormino since 1991; the couple has one child. Previously, he was in marriage with Elaine Orlando (1965-1984), with whom he also has one child. His current residence is in Branson, Missouri.
He lost a large amount of weight in the early nineteen seventies.
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He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6385 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
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In 1970, he was presented with a demo of the song "Candida," which had a weak lead vocal on it and was turned down by Bell Records. Asked to re-record the demo, he balked at first but finally agreed only if they didn't use his name. The name Dawn was created (name of an agent's daughter) to promote the song. Joyce Vincent Wilson and Telma Hopkins were hired to provide additional backup vocals. The song was picked up and, within eight weeks, had climbed the Billboard charts. Subsequently, the rights to the name Dawn were bought (other fake groups were trying to steal the name and cash in on the fame). An album was released in November 1970 by the trio (they didn't meet until after its release), which also included "Knock Three Times" (the song sold a million copies in its first month). The rest was history.
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In 1990, he bought a theater in Branson, Missouri, naming it Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Music Theater and provided retro kitsch by reuniting for a time with former Dawn members Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson and going on the road. His theater went bankrupt in 1999, but he continues to tour as a solo artist.
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Grew up in Hell's Kitchen, which was, at one time, the worst slum in New York City.
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In 1963, he was employed at April-Blackwood Music and rose to general manager within a few years.
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By 1973 the group Dawn was the second biggest seller of singles in America without the benefit of a major concert tour or appearance on a TV show. Their very first live appearance was at Carnegie Hall...after they had already sold nine million records.
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A problems with drugs, coupled with the deaths of his sister and comedian/pal Freddie Prinze, led to a major emotional breakdown in 1977. He left the group "Tony Orlando and Dawn" shortly after.
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Cutting his first song at 16 (it was a minor hit). In 1961 at the age of 17, he had consecutive top 40 hits, co-authored by Carol King, "Halfway To Paradise" and "Bless You". They were followed up by "I Can't Stop Talkin' About You" and "The Edge Of Tears".
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A resident of Branson, Missouri since 1993.
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The group was offered their own summer variety TV series in 1974 and it clicked with audiences. Their Sonny & Cher-styled show, which mixed song and dance with light slapstick comedy, lasted two seasons from 1974 to 1976.
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Did a very energetic performance at the "One Less Tear" cancer benefit in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday July 24, 2002.
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Scored three No. 1 songs on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 charts -- "Knock Three Times" (three weeks, 1971); "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree" (four weeks, 1973); and "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" (three weeks, 1975). Also, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree" was Billboard's Hot 100 No. 1 song of 1973.