Quick Facts About Paul Lynde
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth/Death | June 13, 1926 – January 11, 1982 (age 55, heart attack) |
| Hometown | Mount Vernon, Ohio |
| Net Worth (1982) | $7 million (~$25M today) |
| Famous Roles | Uncle Arthur (Bewitched), Center Square (Hollywood Squares) |
| Broadway Debut | The Country Girl (1954) |
| Voice Work | Templeton (Charlotte’s Web, 1973) |
| Legacy | 2025 HBO Max doc Lynde Lines; LGBTQ+ pioneer |
Mount Vernon Mischief-Maker: Paul Lynde’s Humble Ohio Beginnings
Paul Lynde, the sardonic comic genius whose quips lit up living rooms for decades, was born Paul Edward Lynde on June 13, 1926, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the fifth of six children (middle of four boys) in a working-class family. His father, Hoy Corydon Lynde, ran a meat market and served as local police chief and Mount Vernon Jail sheriff for two years, while mother Sylvia Bell Doup (née Doup) fostered creativity amid modest means. Tragedy struck early: Brother Coradon died in World War II, and older brother Johnny passed young, leaving Paul with siblings Helen and two others.
A shy, overweight kid battling self-esteem, Paul found solace in silent films like Ben-Hur (1925), inspiring his acting dreams at age four. He honed his wit at Northwestern University (drama degree, 1948), studying alongside Charlotte Rae, Patricia Neal, and Charlton Heston, before heading to New York for Broadway bites.
Broadway Breakthrough and Bewitched Magic: Paul’s Golden Era (1950s-1970s)
Paul Lynde’s sardonic flair exploded on Broadway in 1954’s The Country Girl, but stardom hit with Bye Bye Birdie (1960) as overprotective dad Harry MacAfee—his “What’s the matter with him?” became iconic. The role reprised in the 1963 film with Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke, earning $100K+ payday. TV beckoned: Guest spots on The Perry Como Show and The Andy Williams Show led to Bewitched (1965-1971) as flamboyant Uncle Arthur in 10 episodes—his Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) chemistry was electric, with William Asher noting Paul’s off-set friendship with the cast. Earnings: $5K-$10K per episode, totaling $50K-$100K.
Game show immortality followed: Hollywood Squares (1966-1981) center square, delivering zingers like “What’s in it for meeee?” for 15 years and 850+ episodes—$1K-$2K per taping, $500K+ lifetime. Pilots flopped (Sedgewick Hawk-Styles, 1960s), but voice work shone: Templeton the rat in Charlotte’s Web (1973, $50K), Milquetoast in Hugo the Hippo (1973). Films: Send Me No Flowers (1964, $75K), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965, Frankie Avalon co-star). Sitcoms: The Paul Lynde Show (1972-1973, 26 eps, $25K/episode, $650K total) and Temperatures Rising (1973-1974). Variety specials: The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976, with KISS and Margaret Hamilton).
Behind the Zingers: Paul’s Private Struggles and Hidden Life
Paul Lynde’s public persona—effeminate bluster, venomous wit—masked a tormented soul. Openly gay in private circles but closeted publicly (pre-Stonewall era), he navigated Hollywood’s shadows with paid companions and fleeting romances. Alcoholism fueled arrests for public intoxication (1960s-1970s), and a 1965 tragedy scarred him: Companion J.B. Davidson fell to death from his San Francisco hotel balcony after a drunken stunt.
Weight battles and self-loathing led to erratic behavior—racist rants, hotel brawls—but friends like Elizabeth Montgomery offered solace. Lifelong bachelor (high school sweetheart “broke his heart” excuse), he lived in Errol Flynn’s former Beverly Hills mansion with terrier Harry, buying it with Squares cash. Biographer Cathy Rudolph (2013’s Paul Lynde: A Biography) notes: “Hiding his gayness frustrated him—his audience was straight, and exposure could’ve ended his career.”
The Final Bow: Mysterious Death and Enduring Legacy (January 1982)
On January 10, 1982, after missing a birthday party, friend Paul Barresi broke into Paul Lynde’s Beverly Hills home, finding him dead in bed at age 55—pajamas and robe on. Coroner ruled heart attack, exacerbated by chronic illness (possibly cancer, undisclosed) and substance abuse. Rumors swirled—a visitor fleeing?—but debunked; no foul play. Cremated remains rest at Amity Cemetery, Knox County, Ohio, beside brother Johnny, sister Helen, parents, and Coradon.
Obituaries hailed his “one-line wisecracks,” but biographers like Steve Wilson (Center Square, 2005) explore the tragedy: “Brilliance rooted in gayness, but conflicted hiding it.” Legacy endures: Whoopi Goldberg (1998 Squares successor): “No one funnier.” 2025 docuseries Lynde Lines (HBO Max, October) revives quips, with archival footage and interviews.
Paul Lynde Net Worth: $7 Million Fortune from Squares and Sitcoms
At death, Paul Lynde net worth was $7 million (2025-adjusted equivalent ~$25 million), amassed through Broadway ($50K+ per show), TV ($5K-$25K/episode), films ($75K-$100K roles), and Squares ($500K+ lifetime). Assets: Beverly Hills mansion (Errol Flynn’s former, $1M+ value), investments, royalties (Bewitched streams $100K/year). No heirs (bachelor), estate went to family/friends; Squares residuals fund scholarships. Compared to peers: Less than Dick Van Dyke ($50M), more than Marion Lorne ($2M).
Paul Lynde Career & Milestones Timeline
| Year | Milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | Born | Mount Vernon, OH – fifth of six kids |
| 1948 | Northwestern Grad | Drama degree with Heston, Rae |
| 1954 | Broadway Debut | The Country Girl |
| 1960 | Bye Bye Birdie | Tony-nom dad role; 1963 film |
| 1965 | Bewitched Uncle Arthur | 10 eps; Montgomery friendship |
| 1966-1981 | Hollywood Squares | Center square, 850+ eps, $500K+ |
| 1972-1973 | The Paul Lynde Show | 26 eps sitcom flop |
| 1973 | Charlotte’s Web Voice | Templeton the rat |
| 1976 | Halloween Special | With KISS, Margaret Hamilton |
| 1982 | Death | Heart attack, age 55, Beverly Hills |
6 Most Popular FAQs About Paul Lynde Net Worth and Legacy (2025)
1. What was Paul Lynde’s net worth? Paul Lynde net worth was $7 million at death (1982, ~$25M today)—from Squares ($500K+), Bewitched, Broadway.
2. How did Paul Lynde die? Heart attack January 11, 1982, age 55, in Beverly Hills bed—exacerbated by illness/alcoholism; friend found him.
3. Was Paul Lynde gay? Yes—closeted due to era; private relationships, camp persona; biographers note frustration hiding it.
4. Paul Lynde Hollywood Squares salary? $1K-$2K per taping (1966-1981), $500K+ lifetime—center square quips made him TV’s funniest.
5. Paul Lynde Bewitched role? Uncle Arthur (1965-1971, 10 eps)—flamboyant warlock; $5K-$10K/episode, Montgomery friendship.
6. Paul Lynde 2025 legacy? HBO Max docuseries Lynde Lines (October 2025) revives quips; inspires LGBTQ+ performers like Whoopi Goldberg.
Conclusion: Paul Lynde Net Worth – $7M of Wit, Woe, and Enduring Zingers
Paul Lynde’s $7 million net worth—forged in Broadway bites, Bewitched spells, and Squares stings—pales against his cultural bite: TV’s camp king who hid heartbreak behind “What’s in it for meeee?” At 55, a heart attack silenced the snark in 1982, but 2025’s Lynde Lines doc resurrects the genius, flaws and all. From Ohio butcher’s son to Hollywood’s hidden gay icon, Lynde’s legacy? Laughter that lingers, proving venom can heal if aimed right.
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