Ted Hartley: Hollywood Icon Dies at 100, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Films and Family
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Legendary Hollywood figure Ted Hartley has passed away at the age of 100 in New York City. With a storied career spanning multiple fields, including the US Navy, acting, investment banking, and leadership of RKO Pictures, Hartley's life was marked by numerous achievements. His work in Hollywood included notable roles in TV series like Peyton Place and films such as High Plains Drifter and A Late Quartet. He also ventured into film and Broadway production after acquiring RKO with his then-wife, actress and heiress Dina Merrill. Hartley's personal life was deeply intertwined with Merrill's, whom he married in 1989 and remained with until her passing in 2017. Merrill, the daughter of socialite and businesswoman Marjorie Merriweather Post, brought significant family connections and wealth into the union. The couple's son, Philippe, is their only known child. Following Merrill's death, Hartley continued to pursue his passions, including art and philanthropy through organizations like Orbis International. Hartley's net worth, though not independently verified, is estimated to be substantial due to his joint ventures with Merrill, including their controlling stake in RKO in the early 1990s. At the time of her death, Merrill's net worth was estimated at $500 million, suggesting Hartley's own financial position was considerable. The combined wealth from their business ventures, studio ownership, and inherited wealth solidifies Hartley's position as a financially secure individual.
