Barbara Feldon Net Worth

What is Barbara Feldon's net worth?

Barbara Feldon is an American actress and model who has a net worth of $3 million. Barbara Feldon is best known for her iconic role as Agent 99 on the classic 1960s spy spoof series "Get Smart." With her towering height, chic style, and sharp comedic timing, Feldon brought sophistication and intelligence to one of television's most memorable female characters. The success of "Get Smart" cemented her place in pop culture and opened the door to a career that spanned decades, including work in theater, film, commercials, and later, as a writer. Though she stepped back from the limelight in the 1980s, Feldon remains a beloved figure in television history and a pioneer of strong, witty female characters on screen.

Early Life

Barbara Anne Hall was born on March 12, 1933, in Butler, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Bethel Park High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in drama from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh. She began her career in show business as a model and studied acting at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Her breakthrough came not on a soundstage but as a contestant on the television quiz show "The $64,000 Question," where she won in the category of Shakespeare. That visibility helped her land commercial work, most notably a long-running campaign for Top Brass hair cream, which became one of her early calling cards.

Breakthrough with "Get Smart"

Feldon's major acting break came in 1965 when she was cast as Agent 99 in the Mel Brooks and Buck Henry-created series "Get Smart." Starring opposite Don Adams as the bumbling Agent 86, Maxwell Smart, Feldon's character was intelligent, elegant, and resourceful—often the one who actually saved the day. Her performance helped redefine the role of women on TV during a time when most female characters were relegated to housewife or sidekick roles.

"Get Smart" ran for five seasons, from 1965 to 1970, and earned multiple Emmy Awards and a devoted fan base. Feldon herself was nominated for two Emmys for her performance. Her character, Agent 99, became an early prototype for the modern female action hero: smart, poised, and perfectly capable of outwitting both villains and her male counterpart.

Other Acting Work

While "Get Smart" remained her signature role, Feldon also enjoyed a steady career in television and film. She made guest appearances on numerous shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "The Dean Martin Show," "Cheers," "Fantasy Island," and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." On the big screen, she appeared in the 1968 comedy "Fitzwilly" alongside Dick Van Dyke and played a memorable role in the cult horror film "Smile" (1975).

Feldon also performed on stage, appearing in regional theater productions and in off-Broadway plays. Her theatrical roles highlighted her dramatic range, offering her opportunities that went beyond the confines of sitcoms and spy spoofs.

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Writing and Later Career

After largely stepping away from acting in the 1980s, Feldon turned her attention to writing. In 2003, she published the book "Living Alone and Loving It: A Guide to Relishing the Solo Life." Part memoir and part self-help guide, the book received praise for its honest and uplifting portrayal of single life, especially from women who identified with her thoughtful and self-assured perspective.

Though she made occasional appearances at fan conventions and interviews related to "Get Smart," Feldon mostly embraced a quiet life away from Hollywood.

Personal Life

She became known as Barbara Feldon after marrying Lucien Verdoux-Feldon, a sculptor and artist, in 1958. They divorced in the late 1960s. After "Get Smart" ended, Feldon entered a long-term relationship with the show's producer, Burt Nodella, which lasted over a decade. She has never remarried and has no children. In interviews, Feldon has spoken candidly about finding fulfillment in her independence and solitude, themes she later explored in her writing.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Barbara Feldon's portrayal of Agent 99 left an enduring mark on American television. In an era dominated by male-driven programming, her character was groundbreaking: stylish, clever, and respected as an equal. Agent 99 is regularly cited as one of TV's best female characters, and the role paved the way for later heroines in spy fiction and action comedies.

"Get Smart" remained popular in syndication for decades and was revived several times, including a 1995 sequel series and a 2008 feature film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway as Agent 99 and Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart. Though Feldon did not appear in the 2008 film, she reprised her original role in the 1989 TV reunion movie "Get Smart, Again!"

Real Estate

Barbara Feldon has long resided in New York City, where she lived in a stylish apartment on the Upper West Side for many years. Known for her minimalist and elegant design tastes, she once featured her home in a design magazine spread showcasing her love for clean lines, soft colors, and personal art pieces. There are no publicly known records of major real estate transactions or large-scale property holdings beyond her longtime NYC residence.

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