He was born on June 4, 1924, and died on February 24, 2006, when he was 81 years old. Known for his iconic parts as Chester Goode in classic TV westerns like “Gunsmoke” and the series “McCloud,” this American actor will go down in entertainment history. Weaver had a big impact on more than just playing. From 1973 to 1975, he was President of the Screen Actors Guild. Dennis Weaver net worth was about $16 to $18 million at the time of his death. This was the result of a long career in film and TV, royalties from reruns, residuals, and smart real estate investments, such as the multimillion-dollar sales of homes in Colorado.
Weaver had a public career, but he kept his home life quiet. He was married to Gerry Stowell and they had three children. The money he left behind will never go away because his estate is still making money from the work he did.
Quick Bio
| Quick Bio | Dennis Weaver |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Dennis Weaver |
| Date of Birth | June 4, 1924 |
| Place of Birth | Joplin, Missouri, USA |
| Date of Death | February 24, 2006 |
| Place of Death | Ridgway, Colorado, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1952–2005 |
| Famous Roles | Chester Goode in Gunsmoke; Sam McCloud in McCloud; star of TV film Duel (1971) |
| Awards | Emmy Award (1959) |
| Military Service | U.S. Navy pilot during World War II |
| Education | Joplin Junior College; University of Oklahoma (drama and track star) |
| Spouse | Gerry Stowell (married 1945–2006) |
| Children | Three |
| Other Roles | President of Screen Actors Guild (1973–1975) |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $16 million |
Dennis Weaver Net Worth in 2025
He was born on June 4, 1924, and died on February 24, 2006, when he was 81 years old. He became famous for his parts as Chester Goode in Gunsmoke and Sam McCloud in McCloud. These roles made him a beloved figure in the history of American television. He worked as an actor for more than 50 years and won an Emmy Award in 1959. From 1973 to 1975, he was president of the Screen Actors Guild. He started the Institute of Ecolonomics and pushed for healthy living. He was known for caring about the environment and giving back to the community.
Dennis Weaver’s projected net worth in 2025 was around $18 million. This is because he continued to make money from royalties, streaming residuals, and smart real estate investments, such as the multimillion-dollar sales of properties in Malibu and Colorado right before and after he died. They had three children together. Weaver was married to Gerry Stowell, the girl he fell in love with when they were kids. Even though he was famous, he kept his family life quiet and later in life focused on his work to protect the earth.
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In comparison to his co-stars:
| Actor | Estimated Net Worth at Death |
|---|---|
| Dennis Weaver | $16 million |
| Burt Reynolds | Approx. $60 million (est.) |
| James Arness | Approx. $10 million (est.) |
| Milburn Stone | Not widely reported |
| Amanda Blake | Not widely reported |
Business Ventures and Income Sources
Dennis Weaver had many business ventures and ways to make money besides his great acting career. He fought for environmental causes and built sustainable businesses. He helped start the Institute of Ecolonomics as a charity in 1993. It was one of the first groups to focus on combining ecology and economics to create long-lasting, profitable business models. Along with other green projects, this center supports new ideas in regenerative agriculture, sustainable aquaculture, and eco-friendly real estate. It also supports and encourages “ecopreneurs” by giving them education, mentorship, and the Ecolonomic Seal of Approval, which is given to companies that are good for both the environment and the economy.
The Institute takes care of sites like Mountain Sky Ranch in the Rocky Mountains, which makes money through a number of sustainable business units. It also takes part in projects like aquaponics on a community level and marine shrimp farming. Through these projects, the group continues to make money and put it back into businesses that are good for the earth. Weaver wanted to show that making money and protecting the earth are not incompatible goals, but rather goals that work together. So, his business interests merged moral concern for the environment with useful economic innovation, which added to his overall wealth and left a legacy that goes beyond entertainment.
Real State Ownership and Properties
Some of Dennis Weaver’s most valuable assets were the beautiful homes he owned in Malibu, California, and Ridgway, Colorado. He sold his beachfront home in Malibu for about $5 million in 2005. His Colorado home was also sold soon after he died for about $4.5 million. He made some smart real estate purchases that added a lot to his net worth, which is now thought to be about $18 million. Weaver’s home in Colorado was one of a kind because it was an eco-friendly “Earthship” made from recycled materials. This showed how much he cared about protecting the environment.
Dennis Weaver’s Personal Life
Ernest Weaver married Gerry Stowell, the girl he loved as a child, on October 20, 1945. They had three boys together: Richard “Rick” Weaver (born 1948), Robert Malcolm “Robby” Weaver (born April 8, 1953), and Rustin “Rusty” Weaver (born 1959). During Dennis’s work, the family kept a close-knit and private life. Weaver was known for his love of his family, his work for the environment, and the fact that he became a vegetarian in 1958 because he thought it was the right thing to do. His wife Gerry was there for him all his life until she died in 2016 at the age of 90.
Dennis Weaver’s Career Journey
Weaver’s daughter-in-law, Lynne Ann Weaver, who was married to Robby, died in a car accident in Santa Monica in 2003. This really hurt the family. Dennis Weaver had three grandchildren and had been a Democrat all his life. He was also active in social and environmental problems. Dennis was very committed to green living, so the Weaver family lived in a “Earthship” in Ridgway, Colorado, for many years.
Dennis Weaver’s career journey began on the stage in New York, where he was a member of the renowned Actors Studio and made his Broadway debut in Out West of 8th.
Weaver’s breakthrough came when he landed the role of Chester Goode, the loyal and limping deputy on the television western Gunsmoke (1955–1964), which became one of the longest-running, highest-rated series in U.S. television history. His portrayal earned him an Emmy Award in 1959. After leaving Gunsmoke, Weaver starred in other TV series including Kentucky Jones and later became a leading man with the role of Marshal Sam McCloud in McCloud (1970–1977), a unique police drama blending western and urban themes, which earned him two Emmy nominations.
Weaver also appeared in around 40 films, including Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil (1958) and the landmark 1971 TV film Duel, directed by Steven Spielberg. He was known for performing many of his own stunts and for his innovative ideas on set, such as riding his horse down the street during McCloud’s opening.
Outside of acting, Weaver served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1973 to 1975, reflecting his leadership and influence in the industry. His career spanned over five decades, balancing dramatic roles with his personal passion for humor and environmental activism.
Physical Measurements
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 174–180 lbs (79–81 kg)
- Hair Color: Grey (later in life), originally black/dark
- Eye Color: Brown
- Build: Tall and slender physique
- Notable Physical Traits: Maintained a fit and lean body throughout his career, helped by his athletic background and military service.
Struggles with Mental Health, Addiction & Homelessness
It looks like there is a mistake. The search results talk about the sad death of a man named Dennis Weaver, who killed himself in jail on December 8, 2001, after being caught while feeling very down. The actor Dennis Weaver, whose real name was Billy Dennis Weaver and who was born in 1924 and died in 2006, is not this person.
The search results for star Dennis Weaver don’t show that he has had any problems with his mental health, drugs, or being homeless. Daniel Weaver, an actor, died of cancer at the age of 81.
Current Status
On February 24, 2006, Dennis Weaver died at his home in Ridgway, Colorado. He was 81 years old and had been sick with cancer. He is no longer alive. Many people remember Weaver as a famous American actor, best known for his TV roles as Chester Goode on Gunsmoke and Marshal Sam McCloud on McCloud. He was also known for being a good person and caring about the earth. Till Stowell’s death, Weaver was married to him and they had three children. After he died, his work in movies, TV, and environmental campaigning lives on.
Public Perception & Media Coverage
People and the media have mostly said nice things about Dennis Weaver, highlighting both his lasting impact as a beloved TV actor and his admirable work as an environmentalist and humanitarian. Weaver is remembered for his natural charm, dedication to his craft (he even came up with Chester’s signature limp), and ability to work in TV, movies, and the theater. He is best known for his iconic parts as Chester Goode on Gunsmoke and Sam McCloud on McCloud.
The way the media portrays him shows how important he was to American pop culture and how long his work lasted. His performances are still entertaining new generations through streaming services and reruns, which also help his estate make money. Aside from his work in entertainment, his groundbreaking work in ecological sustainability as the founder of the Institute of Ecolonomics and his construction of an eco-friendly home in Colorado are often mentioned in the news, which adds to his image as a forward-thinking environmentalist.
He also had a strong public image when it came to charity work; he backed many causes and helped build the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park. His many accomplishments, including his wealth and his sincere dedication to social and environmental issues, make him a respected figure even decades after he died. In the eyes of the media, Dennis Weaver was a skilled actor who used his fame to support important causes. He will always have a place in Hollywood and humanitarian history.
FAQs
How much was Dennis Weaver worth when he died?
About $16 million, which he has earned by playing and investing in real estate.
What did Dennis Weaver do after Gunsmoke?
He played the lead role in McCloud and TV shows like Duel. He also got involved in directing, producing, and environmental causes.
Was Dennis Weaver ever a real cowboy?
No, but his parts as lawmen in the West, like Chester Goode and Sam McCloud, made him a famous movie cowboy.
What was James Arness’ net worth when he died?
Probably around $10 million, mostly from his part on Gunsmoke.
Did Dennis Weaver have any famous children?
His kids were creative, but none of them became as famous as their dad.
Conclusion
Dennis Weaver’s rise from a supporting role in Gunsmoke to a lead part in McCloud shows how hard work and talent can create long-lasting success in Hollywood. Because he could change as an actor, director, and producer, he was able to have a successful career for many years. Weaver’s commitment to environmental causes and living a simple life outside of acting gave his legacy more meaning and set him apart from many of his peers. In the end, his financial success came from hard work, smart job choices, and a dedication to personal values that fans and coworkers could relate to.
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