Total Wealth of Mary Badham:
$1 Million
Biography of Mary Badham
On the 7th of October 1952, in Birmingham, Alabama USA, Mary Badham, a former professional actress, was born. She rose to fame at the age of 10 by portraying Jean Louise “Scout” Finch in the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962), adapted from Harper Lee’s renowned novel.
Ever wondered about the wealth of Mary Badham by mid-2017? Reliable sources estimate her net worth to be $1 million, accumulated through her successful stint in the entertainment industry from 1962 to 1966. She made a comeback in 2005, starring as Mrs. Nutbush in Cameron Watson’s drama “Our Very Own”.
Description of Mary Badham’s Net Worth: $1 Million
Mary was raised in her hometown alongside her older brother, John Badham, a director. Her father, a former army member, later became the president of Bessemer Steel Co. Her mother, an ex-actress, retired upon marrying Mary’s father.
Prior to landing a role in Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Mary had no acting experience. She got cast as Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, the daughter of the lead character, lawyer Atticus Finch, portrayed by Gregory Peck. Mary developed a close bond with Gregory Peck during filming, maintaining their friendship until his passing in 2003. She fondly referred to him as Atticus. This role not only brought Mary fame and fortune but also earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, making her the youngest ever nominee in that category.
Subsequently, Mary continued her acting career, appearing in TV series such as “Dr. Kildare” (1963) and “The Twilight Zone” (1964) as Sport Sharewood, garnering positive reviews. In 1966, she starred in films like “This Property Is Condemned” as Willie Starr and “Let’s Kill Uncle” as Chrissie before retiring.
However, in 2005, she returned to acting at the persuasion of writer/director Cameron Watson for his movie “Our Very Own”. Since then, she has remained open to offers from directors and producers, choosing roles based on her interest in the character and script.
Mary now works as an art restorer, traveling globally and advocating for tolerance and compassion inspired by “To Kill a Mockingbird”.
In addition, Mary has served as a college testing coordinator, contributing to her overall wealth.
Regarding her personal life, Mary has been married to Richard Wilt since 1975, and they have two children.
- Structural Info
- Quotes
- Facts
- Pictures
- Filmography
- Awards
| Full Name | Mary Badham |
| Net Worth | $1 Million |
| Date Of Birth | October 7, 1952 |
| Place Of Birth | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Profession | Actress |
| Nationality | American |
| Children | Anna, Anthony |
| Parents | Henry Lee Badham Jr, Mary Iola Hewitt |
| Siblings | John Badham |
| IMDB | |
| Nominations | Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role |
| Movies | Our Very Own, Let’s Kill Uncle, This Property Is Condemned, To Kill a Mockingbird |
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | “As we all do, we look back on things and see our parents in a new light. We see their flaws, sometimes understand their flaws, and still love them.” (Concerning a racist Atticus Finch portrayal in Go Set a Watchman) |
| 2 | This story (To Kill a Mockingbird) has so much to say but the lessons haven’t been learned yet”. “If you think racism and bigotry don’t exist, look around. Racism is a learned thing and we need to be diligent about teaching our children the right thing. |
| 3 | “The business has changed a lot and there was a lot of foul language”. “It was not what I wanted to do. I had lived like an adult since I was 9, and it was important for me to find out who I was.” (On why she retired from acting at 15) |
| 4 | c. 1986: “My brother John tells me the movie profession has changed completely and that I should stay where I am. He insists that I’d have to study acting, but I was told never to take lessons – that I was an instinctive actress. Most of the performances I see on TV and in movies are so self-conscious and overacted. I would think a natural actress would be welcome. |
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Attended a screening with President Barack Obama in 2012 at the White House to mark ‘To Kill a Mockingbird”s 50th anniversary. |
| 2 | Retired from acting and now lives near Richmond, Virginia. She is married (since circa 1975) to a school teacher and spends most of her time raising her two children and working. [1997] |
| 3 | Interviewed in “Growing Up on the Set: Interviews with 39 Former Child Actors of Classic Film and Television” by Tom Goldrup and Jim Goldrup (McFarland, 2002). |
| 4 | Attended the 2007 “Twilight” Zone Convention at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, August 4-5, 2007. |
| 5 | According to Sondra Locke’s autobiography “The Good, the Bad and the Very Ugly”, Mary auditioned for the role of Mick in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968), the part eventually played by Locke. |
| 6 | Attended the 2006 “Twilight Zone” Convention at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, August 12-13, 2006. |
| 7 | Had no acting experience prior to getting a role in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). She was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category. |
| 8 | Works as an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. Has recently agreed to do movies on a very limited basis, depending on whether she likes the script and crew. |
| 9 | At present she is an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. She also travels around the world recalling her wonderful experiences making To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) while expounding on the book’s messages of tolerance and compassion. |
| 10 | Still keeps in touch with fellow To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) co-star Phillip Alford. |
Remaining close to Gregory Peck until his passing in 2003 and Brock Peters until his death in 2005.
Lost the “supporting actress” Oscar to another child actress, Patty Duke, for The Miracle Worker (1962).
After 39 years, Mary emerged from retirement for a unique cameo alongside Keith Carradine at the suggestion of actor/writer/director Cameron Watson for his film Our Very Own (2005). Watson insisted on Mary for the role and she has since expressed openness to future acting opportunities. Watson eventually located Mary in Monroeville, Alabama, where she was attending a stage adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
One of her best-known roles, besides To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), is as Sport Sharewood in the iconic The Twilight Zone (1959) episode “The Bewitchin’ Pool,” penned by Earl Hamner Jr. and first aired in 1964.
Her father, a retired army officer who later became the president of Bessemer Steel Co, and her English-born mother, who was an actress before marriage.
Maintained a friendship with Gregory Peck post the filming of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), affectionately referring to him as Atticus. She also stays in touch with Phillip Alford, who portrayed her screen brother “Jem,” and Brock Peters, who played “Tom Robinson.”
At 10 years old, she was briefly the youngest nominee for the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) until 9-year-old Tatum O’Neal took the record for Paper Moon (1973).
She is the younger sister of director John Badham by 14 years.
