Carroll Baker made a name for herself in Hollywood with iconic roles in Baby Doll and The Carpetbaggers, securing her place among cinema legends.
But how much did she earn throughout her career? From major film salaries to financial disputes with Paramount Pictures, Baker’s financial journey is full of highs and lows.
This article uncovers her earnings, wealth sources, and financial decisions, along with how she handled career setbacks. Let’s dive in.
Carroll Baker Quick Facts
| FACT | DETAIL |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Carroll Baker |
| Popular Name | Carroll Baker |
| Birth Date | May 28, 1931 |
| Age (as of 03/19/2025) | 93 years old |
| Birthplace | Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Irish and Polish descent |
| Education | Actors Studio, HB Studio, Greensburg-Salem High School |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Donald Burton (m. 1978–2007), Jack Garfein (m. 1955–1969), Louie Ritter (m. 1953–1953) |
| Children | 2 (Blanche Baker, Herschel Garfein) |
| Dating | N/A |
| Siblings | Virginia Baker (sister) |
| Parents | Edith Gertrude Duffy (mother), William Watson Baker (father) |
| Height | 1.65 meters |
| Net Worth (Estimated 2025) | $4 million |
| Source of Wealth | Acting, film royalties, endorsements, book sales |
What is the Net Worth of Carroll Baker in 2025?
As of 2025, Carroll Baker’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million. This wealth primarily comes from her extensive film career, including starring roles in classic Hollywood and European cinema.
Compared to Joseph E. Levine, the producer who played a significant role in shaping her career, Baker’s net worth is modest.
However, her financial struggles, including a legal dispute with Paramount Pictures, impacted her earnings.
While Baker never reached the financial heights of Elizabeth Taylor or Marilyn Monroe, she remained a Hollywood icon with a career spanning over five decades.
Related People and Companies
- Joseph E. Levine
- Paramount Pictures
- Warner Bros.
- Tennessee Williams
- Andy Warhol
- Golden Globe Awards
- Academy Awards
- Broadway Theater
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Jean Harlow
For more insights on the financial status of famous Hollywood actors, check out the wealthiest celebrities of all time.
Carroll Baker Wealth, Salary, and Financial Overview
How Much Did She Earn from Movies and Television?
Carroll Baker’s acting career spanned from the 1950s to the early 2000s, earning her millions in film salaries and royalties.
She gained widespread fame with her Oscar-nominated performance in Baby Doll (1956), which led to other high-paying roles in major films like Giant and The Carpetbaggers.
At the height of her career, Baker was among Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses. However, her financial earnings varied.
For example, The Carpetbaggers grossed $13 million domestically, making it one of the biggest hits of its time. Yet, Baker’s contractual limitations with Paramount Pictures affected her share of profits.
Later in her career, she shifted to television, appearing in shows like Murder, She Wrote, Roswell, and Tales from the Crypt, but her TV earnings never matched her film salaries.
What Were the Main Sources of Her Wealth?
Baker’s primary income sources included:
- Film salaries: Her roles in Hollywood blockbusters provided initial financial success.
- Film royalties: Residual earnings from films like How the West Was Won.
- European films: Italian giallo films, such as Orgasmo and Baba Yaga, sustained her finances during her Hollywood blacklist period.
- Endorsements: She worked with brands like Foster Grant sunglasses, adding another revenue stream.
- Book publications: Baker authored two autobiographies and two novels, contributing to her earnings.
How Did Financial Disputes Impact Her Wealth?
One of the biggest financial hurdles in Baker’s career was her legal battle with Joseph E. Levine and Paramount Pictures. In 1966, she sued Levine over contract disputes, resulting in:
- Her being blacklisted from Hollywood, limiting future earnings.
- Frozen paychecks from Harlow (1965), leading to financial debt.
- A $1 million compensation award, though it barely covered lost income.
This legal setback forced her to move to Italy and find financial success in European cinema.
Why Did She Move to Europe and How Did It Affect Her Finances?
Baker’s Hollywood blacklist led her to reinvent herself in European cinema. She starred in numerous giallo and horror films, such as Knife of Ice and The Sweet Body of Deborah.
While these films provided a steady income, they didn’t match Hollywood salaries. Still, they allowed her to maintain a comfortable lifestyle while living abroad.
How Did She Manage Her Finances Over Time?
Baker’s financial management was a mix of high-earning years and setbacks. Despite earning well from films, she faced:
- Expensive legal battles that drained her funds.
- Periods of unemployment due to industry blacklisting.
- A return to smaller TV roles in the 1980s and 1990s.
By the time she retired in 2003, she had stabilized her finances, though she never reached the wealth level of other Hollywood legends.
What Awards and Recognitions Did She Receive for Her Work?
Despite financial ups and downs, Baker’s acting achievements remained significant. She won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer in 1957 and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
While these honors didn’t directly contribute to her wealth, they cemented her legacy in Hollywood history.
What Role Did Her Financial Success Play in Her Retirement?
By the early 2000s, Baker had stepped away from acting, having earned enough to live comfortably. Her final appearances in Kindergarten Cop and The Game contributed to her financial stability before retirement.
Conclusion
Carroll Baker’s financial journey is a story of Hollywood fame, career setbacks, and reinvention. While legal disputes impacted her earnings, she found success in both American and European cinema.
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