Pat Boone Net Worth, Notable Albums, Television Career, Author, Religion

Pat Boone Net Worth, Notable Albums, Television Career, Author, Religion

Pat Boone is a multifaceted American entertainer, recognized as a singer, composer, actor, author, and television personality, with a net worth of $50 million. He emerged as one of the most successful recording artists during the 1950s and early 1960s. Boone gained fame not only for his music but also for hosting the ABC variety television series “The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom” and starring in various Hollywood films.

In the 1970s, he shifted his focus towards Christian values and gospel music, later becoming known as a conservative political commentator. Over his illustrious music career, Boone sold over 45 million albums and achieved 38 Top 40 hits. He also founded a record label named Lion & Lamb Records in the early 1970s.

Early Life and Education

Pat Boone was born on June 1, 1934, in Jacksonville, Florida, to parents Archie and Margaret Boone. He has a younger brother, Cecil, who also pursued a career in music as a pop singer. At the age of two, Boone’s family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he spent his formative years. He graduated from David Lipscomb High School in 1952 and continued his education at David Lipscomb College, Lipscomb University, and North Texas State University, ultimately graduating magna cum laude from Columbia University in 1958.

Career Breakthroughs

off when he began performing at Centennial Park in Nashville. He started recording in 1953, achieving his first major hit with a cover of Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame” in 1955. His commercial success continued as he covered songs originally performed by Black artists. Notable hits from the late 1950s include covers of “Tra La La-a,” “Two Hearts Two Kisses,” “I Almost Lost My Mind,” “Tutti Frutti,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Don’t Forbid Me.”

Notable Albums

In 1956, Boone released two albums: the self-titled “Pat Boone,” which compiled previously released singles, and “Howdy!,” marking his official debut. The following year saw the release of five more albums, including “A Closer Walk with Thee” and “Four by Pat,” with the latter reaching number five on the Billboard charts. His highest-charting album came in 1958 with “Stardust,” which peaked at number two. Other successful albums included “Yes Indeed!,” “Tenderly,” “Moonglow,” and “Moody River.

“Transitioning to gospel music in the 1960s, Boone released albums like “My God and I,” “The Lord’s Prayer and Other Great Hymns,” and “Blest Be Thy Name.” He continued to produce studio and compilation albums with a Christian focus over subsequent decades. A notable exception was his 1997 album, “In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy,” featuring big band covers of hard rock and metal songs, which surprised many fans but became his most commercially successful album in over 30 years.

Pat Boone Net Worth

Boone’s diverse career has contributed significantly to his impressive net worth of $50 million, reflecting his success across multiple entertainment fields.

Television Career

Boone made his television debut in the late 1950s as a regular guest on the ABC program “Ozark Jubilee,” hosted by his father-in-law. His wholesome image led to a long-term endorsement deal with General Motors. He frequently appeared on CBS’s variety show “Arthur Godfrey and His Friends.” At just 23 years old in 1957, he began hosting his show on ABC titled “The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom,” which aired until 1960, featuring performances from artists like Pearl Bailey and Johnny Mathis.

Film Career

Boone’s film career began with his leading role in the musical film “Bernardine” (1957). He followed this success with another musical, “April Love,” which co-starred Shirley Jones and featured an Academy Award-nominated title song sung by Boone himself. Other notable films include the musical comedy “Mardi Gras,” the science-fiction adventure film “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1959), and several others throughout the late 1960s. After a long hiatus from acting, he returned to film in 2016 with appearances in the Christian drama “God’s Not Dead 2” and its sequel.

Author

Boone achieved literary success with his first book in 1958, titled “‘Twixt Twelve and Twenty: Pat Talks to Teenagers,” which became a number-one bestseller. Over six decades, he published numerous books primarily focused on Christianity, including titles like “A Miracle Saved My Family,” “Joy!,” and “Pat Boone Devotional Book.”

Religion

Raised in the Church of Christ, Boone has maintained a strong religious faith throughout his life. In 1964, he spoke at a significant conservative rally advocating for mandatory prayer in schools. During the early 1970s, he hosted Bible studies for various celebrities.

Personal Life

At just 19 years old in 1953, Boone married Shirley Lee Foley, daughter of country music stars Red Foley and Judy Martin. The couple had four daughters: Cheryl, Linda, Deborah, and Laura. Shirley passed away in 2019, at the age of 84. Pat Boone’s enduring legacy spans music, television, film, literature, and religious advocacy, making him an iconic figure in American entertainment history.