What Was David Brenner’s Net Worth?
David Brenner, an American comedian, author, actor, director, and producer, had a net worth of $4 million at the time of his death in 2014. Brenner starred in four HBO stand-up comedy specials, released two comedy albums, and wrote five books.
Before pursuing comedy, Brenner won an Emmy for his work as a writer, producer, and director of over 100 television documentaries. He made his TV debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1971 and went on to become the show’s most frequent guest with over 150 appearances.
Brenner also acted in films and television shows, including “Worth Winning” and “Modern Family.” He was ranked #53 on Comedy Central’s list of the “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time,” and was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003.
David Brenner passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2014 at the age of 78.
Early Life and Career
David Brenner was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1936 to Jewish parents. His father, Lou Murphy, was a vaudeville performer who gave up his career to please his father, a rabbi who didn’t want him to work on the Sabbath. Brenner found success as a comedian and often sent his parents on cruises, and they both died on the Queen Elizabeth 2 two years apart.
In high school, Brenner was voted “Class Comedian” and was elected class president every year. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years as a cryptographer in Germany, he majored in mass communication at Temple University and graduated with honors.
David Brenner’s Career Highlights
David Brenner had a successful career in television, writing, producing, and directing 115 TV documentaries. He won numerous awards, including an Emmy, for his work. Brenner began his career in comedy in 1969 and became a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” serving as a guest-host 75 times. He also appeared on various other shows such as “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Dean Martin Comedy World,” and “Late Show with David Letterman.”
Brenner released his first comedy album, “Excuse Me, Are You Reading That Paper?” in 1983, and his first book, “Soft Pretzels With Mustard.” In 1976, he was cast in the lead role on the NBC sitcom “Snip,” but the show was canceled before it aired due to one of the supporting characters being gay. In 1986, Brenner hosted “Nightlife,” a syndicated late-night talk show, and from 1994 to 1996, he hosted a daytime talk-radio show on the Mutual Broadcasting System. Brenner was honored as the Person of the Year by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia in 1984 and was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2003. He appeared in various documentaries and TV shows such as “When Stand-Up Comics Ruled the World” (2004), “The Aristocrats” (2005), and “When Jews Were Funny” (2013).
Marriages and Children
David Brenner was married to Geraldine Leno from 1964 to 1967. He had a son named Cole with Charisse Brody in the 1980s, and they were involved in a custody battle for years, which Brenner won in 1992. He reduced the number of comedy shows he participated in to avoid being considered an absentee father by family courts. Brenner married Elizabeth Slater in 2000, and they welcomed sons Slade and Wyatt together. Their divorce in 2003 led to two custody battles, which Brenner won. He became engaged to Tai Babilonia in 2005, but they split up. Brenner married Ruth Davey in 2011, and they remained together until his death in 2014.
David Brenner’s Last Will and Testament
David Brenner passed away at the age of 78 from pancreatic cancer at his Manhattan home in 2014. His last will and testament stated that he wanted a small stone on his grave site with the words “Here lies David Brenner. He lived, he died, but MAN DID HE LIVE!” on one side, and “If this is supposed to be a joke — I don’t get it” on the other.
Brenner left $500,000 to his close friend, fashion designer Kenneth Cole, and the rest to his children. He wanted to be laid to rest in New York City, which he referred to as “the city of my dreams, my best times, my heart and my life.”
Brenner also gave permission to any comedians who attended his funeral to use any funny lines they came up with in their acts, but warned that if any were overheard repeating his own material, they would be “put in the box with me.”
