William Hopper was born on January 26, 1915, and died in 1970. He was a talented actor who was best known for his part as private detective Paul Drake on the TV show Perry Mason. William Hopper was the only child of famous Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper and actor DeWolf Hopper. He grew up in the entertainment business and started playing at a young age, going on to have over 130 roles in movies and TV shows. After fighting in the Navy during World War II, Hopper went back to acting.
It was on TV in the 1950s and 1960s that he became best known. He worked a lot in movies, on stage, and on TV, so when he died in 1970, his net worth was thought to be about $4 million. Today, that amount would be even higher, taking inflation into account. Hopper was married three times, the last time to the actress Jane Gilbert. They had one daughter, Joan. Even though he was famous, he kept his personal life out of the public eye and focused on his job and family.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William DeWolf Hopper Jr. |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1915 |
| Date of Death | March 6, 1970 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Occupation | Actor (stage, film, television) |
| Famous Role | Paul Drake on Perry Mason (1957–1966) |
| Parents | DeWolf Hopper, Hedda Hopper |
| Marriages | Jane Gilbert, Jeanette Juanita Ward |
| Children | One (daughter: Joan) |
| Military Service | U.S. Navy, World War II |
| Notable Films | 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), The Bad Seed (1956), Rebel Without a Cause (1955) |
| Awards | 1 Primetime Emmy nomination |
| Resting Place | Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California |
William Hopper Net Worth at the Time of his Death
Thoughts on Wealth
At the height of his fame, Hopper was worth about $4 million when he died in 1970 (amounts changed to reflect inflation). He made most of his money from his part on Perry Mason for almost ten years.
Acting Pay and Salaries in the 1950s and 1960s
Hopper made a lot of money for his time, but TV stars in the 1950s and 1960s were paid less than actors today. Back then, long-term rights and syndications didn’t make as much money as they do now.
Also Read More: Freddy Harteis Net Worth (2025) Age, Lifestyle & Hosting
Income and Business Ventures
Getting Income
William Hopper mostly made money from his professional playing work on stage, in movies, and on TV. He became famous and made a lot of money for his part as private detective Paul Drake on the TV show Perry Mason (1957–1966). The role earned him a steady acting pay and residuals during the show’s run and in later reruns. Hopper had more than 130 acting parts over the course of his career. These included roles in well-known movies like 20 Million Miles to Earth and The Bad Seed, which helped him make a lot of money. Because of how well his work was received, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy, which raised his status and made him more marketable as an actor.
Starting a business
The public doesn’t know much about William Hopper’s business activities outside of his acting job. The entertainment work he did brought him most of his money, rather than branching out into other business or commercial operations. Hopper was mostly focused on his playing career, and he didn’t seem to have been involved in any business ventures or investments that are known to the public.
Comparison with Other Celebrates
| Celebrity | Net Worth at Peak (1970 est.) | Notable Roles/Occupations | Career Highlights | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Hopper | $4 million (adjusted for inflation) | Actor (Perry Mason) | Played Paul Drake on Perry Mason TV series; 130+ acting credits; Emmy nomination | Son of Hedda Hopper; Navy veteran |
| Raymond Burr | $15 million | Actor (Perry Mason, Ironside) | Starred as Perry Mason and Ironside; long TV career | Also known for multiple TV detective roles |
| Dennis Hopper | Estimated $10 million+ | Actor, filmmaker, photographer, artist | Directed and starred in Easy Rider; acclaimed actor | Known for counterculture influence and art career |
Who is William Hopper?
William DeWolf Hopper Jr. was an American actor who was born on January 26, 1915, and died on March 6, 1970. He was best known for playing private detective Paul Drake on the famous CBS show Perry Mason, which ran from 1957 to 1966. He came from a famous family in show business; his father was the actor DeWolf Hopper and his mother was the famous Hollywood writer Hedda Hopper.
In the 1930s and 1940s, he was in over 80 movies before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. He took a short break from acting after the war, but was convinced to come back in the 1950s. His most well-known role was as Paul Drake, which earned him a Primetime Emmy nod. Hopper got married three times, had a daughter, and kept playing until just before he died in 1970.
Early Life and Background
Family History and Growing Up
His birthday is January 26, 1915, and he was born in New York City. He was the only child of actress and Hollywood gossip writer Hedda Hopper and actor DeWolf Hopper. Born and raised in Hollywood, his early years were shaped by the demands that came with his well-known family.
How to Learn and Early Challenges
There were some hard times in Hopper’s life. He felt like he had to live up to his parents’ Hollywood fame and had doubts about his place in Hollywood. He learned discipline at the California Military Academy, which helped him in his work later on.
How an eye injury affects people
Hopper hurt his eyes as a child, making one of them weaker. This was a fact of his life that stuck with him, but it didn’t stop him from pursuing his goals.
Hollywood Career and Success
First movie and early years
In the 1930s and 1940s, William Hopper started acting and slowly got parts in movie serials and studio-produced movies. Even though he worked hard, he never made a real success for years.
The best of movies and TV
Among the more than 80 movies he was in, Rebel Without a Cause and The Maltese Falcon are two that stand out. He became famous, though, when he was cast as Paul Drake in Perry Mason (1957–1966), along with Raymond Burr as Perry Mason and Barbara Hale as Della Street. People knew how well he got along with his co-stars and how friendly he was on set.
Getting Together on Set
Hopper had friendly and polite relationships with co-stars Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale, which made the relationships between them more interesting behind the scenes.
Military Service and Heroism
Service in World War II
Hopper did great work as a member of the U.S. Navy’s Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) during World War II. These teams were the ancestors of the Navy SEALs we know today. For his bravery in the Pacific area, he was given the Bronze Star and other awards.
Was he in the Navy?
People sometimes call Hopper a Navy SEAL, but his service happened before the SEALs were created in 1962. He worked for the UDT as a “frogman” and did similar dangerous tasks underwater.
Impact of the Military on Acting
During his time in the military, Hopper showed discipline and courage, which later helped him become a steady and dependable actor.
Personal Life and Relationships
Family and marriage
John William Hopper married Jane Gilbert in 1940. Before they split up, they had a daughter named Joan. Hopper married Jeanette Hopper after a while.
Want to know more about Dennis Hopper
People often wonder if Dennis Hopper, who played the lead in Easy Rider, was connected to William Hopper. The short answer is no, there is no clear link between the two actors.
Later Life and Passing
Loss of Health
Hopper’s health got worse in the late 1960s, most likely because he smoked a lot and was stressed from being in show business.
What killed the person
He was 55 years old when he died of lung cancer on March 6, 1970.
Graves and Memorials
He is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park in California, which is still a place where fans go to honor him.
Almost the Same Losses
Raymond Burr (kidney cancer) and Ray Collins (emphysema) were two other Perry Mason stars who died of cancer.
FAQs about William Hopper
How much did William Hopper have when he died?
He was worth $4 million.
What did William Hopper do well?
His most well-known part was as Paul Drake on Perry Mason, but he also appeared in many movies.
Was William Hopper a SEAL in the Navy?
No, but he did fight in the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), which came before it, during WWII.
Why did Raymond Burr die? How much did he leave behind?
When he died, Raymond Burr was worth about $15 million.
Does Dennis Hopper have a connection to William Hopper?
There is no straight link between the two actors.
What did William Hopper do to die?
He died of lung cancer.
Conclusion
The ups and downs of William Hopper’s life and work show what it’s like to be a classic Hollywood actor. His disciplined attitude, history of military service, and kindness behind the scenes make him stand out. He is best known for playing Paul Drake on Perry Mason. Even though he died many years ago, Hopper is still remembered and praised for his and his co-stars’ important roles in the golden age of television.
Also Read More: Joe Zolper Net Worth (2025) Age, Lifestyle & BiographyÂ
