When people think of Tim Considine, they usually see the clean-cut kid from My Three Sons or the Hardy Boy with the perfect hair. He was the quintessential Disney golden boy. But the reality of his life—and his bank account—was way more interesting than just old sitcom residuals.
Honestly, tracking the Tim Considine net worth at the time of his passing in 2022 isn't as simple as looking at a single paycheck. We’re talking about a man born into Hollywood royalty who walked away from the limelight to chase race cars and write books. Most estimates put his net worth somewhere between $2 million and $5 million, but that number feels a bit hollow without looking at where the money actually came from.
The Disney Money and the "My Three Sons" Era
Let’s be real: child stars in the 1950s weren't making Netflix-style money. Still, Tim was a heavy hitter for the era. By the time he landed the role of Mike Douglas on My Three Sons in 1960, he was already a seasoned veteran.
He had done Spin and Marty. He was Joe Hardy. He was a Disney Legend.
While the exact salary for those early years is buried in old studio ledgers, lead actors on major sitcoms back then could pull in several thousand dollars per week. However, the real "wealth" in that era was often tied to the studio system. Unlike today, where residuals can keep an actor afloat for decades, the contracts in the early 60s were notoriously predatory.
Considine famously left My Three Sons after five seasons because he wanted to direct. He was tired of the grind. That decision likely cost him a fortune in long-term earnings, but Tim never seemed to care much about the "fame" side of the business. He was more interested in what he could do with his hands and his camera.
A Legacy Built on More Than Just Acting
One thing most people get wrong about Tim's wealth is assuming it all came from his time in front of the camera. You've got to look at his family tree to understand the foundation.
- His Father: John W. Considine Jr., an Oscar-nominated MGM producer.
- His Grandfather: Alexander Pantages, the theater tycoon who owned the Pantages Circuit.
- His Other Grandfather: John Considine, another massive vaudeville impresario.
Basically, Tim grew up in a world of serious financial security. But he didn't just sit on a trust fund. After he drifted away from acting—outside of that iconic slap scene in Patton—he built a second, highly successful career as an automotive historian and photographer.
He didn't just take pictures of cars; he became a world-class expert. His book, American Grand Prix Racing: A Century of Drivers and Cars, is a massive, expensive coffee-table volume that remains a definitive text for collectors. High-end automotive journalism and photography for outlets like Road & Track aren't just hobbies; they're lucrative niches for someone with his level of access and talent.
Real Estate and the Quiet Life in Mar Vista
Tim lived a relatively low-key life in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles with his wife, Willett Hunt. In the L.A. market, owning a home for decades is often the biggest contributor to a person's net worth.
By the time he passed away at 81, the value of his real estate alone would have accounted for a massive chunk of that $2–$5 million estimate. He wasn't living in a sprawling Malibu mansion, but he was comfortable. He had his cars, his cameras, and his legacy.
It's also worth noting that Disney Legends—an official title he received in 2006—don't get a pension from the title, but it does keep the door open for appearances, autograph signings, and conventions. For a guy like Tim, those were likely "fun money" opportunities rather than a primary income source.
What Most People Miss About His Finances
If you’re looking for a "rags to riches" story, Tim isn't it. He was "riches to different kinds of riches." He chose a life of intellectual fulfillment over the massive paydays he could have had if he stayed in the TV system for twenty more years.
The true Tim Considine net worth was a mix of:
- Early career earnings from the Disney/Macy's era of television.
- Significant inheritance and family assets from the Pantages/Considine theater empires.
- Long-term appreciation of Los Angeles real estate.
- Royalties from his specialized books and career as a premium automotive photographer.
Why It Matters Today
Understanding how Tim managed his career is actually a pretty good lesson in diversification. He didn't let "actor" define him. When the industry didn't want to let him direct, he pivoted to his other passions and made them profitable.
If you're looking to research more about the financial longevity of classic TV stars, you should check out the archives at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation or look into the history of the Disney Legends program. They offer a lot of insight into how these early stars navigated a world without the massive syndication deals we see today.
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For those interested in the actual history Tim wrote about, tracking down a copy of his Grand Prix book is a must, though be prepared to pay a premium—they are collector's items now.