I wanted to punch him in the face. [39], For the remainder of the 1960s, Presley made films that relied heavily on exotic locations and mundane songs, and he was tied into contracts that he could not escape. [16], Regardless of the success that Parker and Presley had achieved, Parker was still struggling to believe that Presley's career would last longer than a year or two. Parker's net worth was estimated to be $50 million as of 1977. [33] Parker, on the other hand, was fully aware that any special treatment given to Presley would instantly be used against him in the media and by those who disliked his style of music. "Every entertainer should go to bed at night and pray he . WHO GOT ELVIS' RICHES? COL. TOM PARKER, RCA - Orlando Sentinel [16] Critics were very positive in their reviews of both the drama and Sands, leading to Capitol Records signing Sands within a week. Parker was consequently sent to solitary confinement. [37] After that, until 1968, Presley gave no live performances, and had very little contact with his fans. [46] Parker had also decided that it was time for Presley to return to New York, and had arranged for him to perform at Madison Square Garden in June. Where is Colonel Tom Parker's grave and when did he die? It took a probate court to remove Parker and his 50% fee from future dealings. [53] They discussed the possibility of Presley's co-starring with Streisand in a remake of the film A Star Is Born. This led Parker to insist that films be made cheaply, on a strict schedule, and with as little hassle as possible. Parker enlisted in the US Army shortly after his return to America. LOANNE PARKER Obituary (1935 - 2020) - Las Vegas, NV - Legacy.com Parker was the Tampa dogcatcher known as The Colonel, who managed Elvis Presley with a deal that controversially landed him 50% of the King of Rock and Roll's earnings. Let's find out. 21 Jan 1997 (aged 87) Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, USA. Colonel Tom Parker's home (former), 409 Park Ridge Avenue, Temple Terrace, Fl. What was Colonel Tom Parker's net worth when he died? "There would have been no Elvis without Colonel Tom Parker; there would have been no Colonel Tom Parker without Elvis. At the time of Elvis' death, he was worth just $5 million, a relatively-modest amount considering his enormous level of success and fame. During this time, Parker also served as a field agent for the Hillsborough County Humane Society, helping to raise funds and awareness for its work. [46], On July 8, 1972, inspired by the visit of President Richard Nixon to China a few months earlier,[47] Parker announced that there would be a worldwide satellite broadcast from Hawaii to allow the whole world the chance to see a Presley concert, "since it is impossible for us to play in every major city". With 1956 coming to a close, Parker had made Presley one of the most well-known, well-paid entertainers in the world. In May 1973, in an attempt to deal with Presley's growing dependence on prescription drugs, Presley's father, Vernon, and Parker attempted to cut off his supply. [60] Part of this role resulted in Parker keeping the same fourth-floor suite he occupied when Presley was alive. According to several people who knew Presley at the time, the talks with Hulett got so far along that it seemed almost inevitable the deal would be done. [31] Parker made sure that the contract allowed Presley the freedom to make at least one film a year with another studio, and also managed to set up an office, with staff, at Paramount. [15] However, Parker remained involved in many of Arnold's live tours and demanded a buyout of $50,000 (US$506,405 in 2021 dollars[11]) to settle their contract. [69] In October 1990, Parker married Loanne Miller, his secretary since 1972. [62], One of Parker's brothers, Adam "Ad" van Kuijk, visited Parker once in Los Angeles in April 1961. "Colonel Tom Parker managed Elvis Presley's career from 1955 to 1977. [citation needed], After the success of Presley's return to live performing in Las Vegas, Parker decided it was time to take him back out on tour for the first time in 13 years. [49] Seeing the chance to publicize Presley's charitable nature once again, Parker eagerly agreed. "[42] Parker used the argument that Presley was his only client and he was thus earning only one fee.[42]. He had expressed interest in making films when he first met Parker, and now Parker was working to make that happen. And there certainly would've been no Elvis without Colonel Tom Parker.' And when he said that, I said, 'Oh . Asked by a journalist what he would do now, Parker responded: "Why, I'll just go right on managing him! Frank Sinatra, who had declared Presley a rock and roll disgrace in the 1950s, was keen to have him appear on his show. [41] Frank Sinatra had married Mia Farrow in 1966, and it had produced enough publicity for Parker to sit up and take notice. Following this, Neal chose not to renew his management contract with Presley, leaving Parker as the singer's sole manager. [56] Shortly afterward, he traveled to Memphis for Presley's funeral. [72], His funeral was held at the Hilton Hotel and was attended by a handful of friends and former associates, including Eddy Arnold and Sam Phillips. What was Colonel Tom Parker worth when he died? [65] Marie was one of six children,[65] had been married twice before, and had a son from her first marriage. Elvis: Priscilla Presley slams Colonel Parker horror stories 'Most He is known for Spinout (1966), Kissin' Cousins (1964) and Jailhouse Rock (1957). To garner Presley new publicity and to help tame his wild impulses, Parker had him marry Priscilla Beaulieu, who had been living with Presley for four years already. Elvis Presley: Where did the millions go? - Medium "No, he never would have done that," Nash says. [12] Parker, with the task of promoting Austin, found the career transition smooth, using much of his "carny" experience to sell tickets and attract the crowds. Compare Colonel Tom Parker's Net Worth. The world's music and pop culture changed forever when the greatest performer of them all joined . [68] From then on, he continued living in Las Vegas, mostly avoiding contact with the press. Elvis' estate, on the other hand, reportedly owed the Las Vegas . With Presley serving in West Germany, Parker did everything he could to keep the singer's name on everyone's lips, as he worried that Presley would fade in the public eye. Adam van Kuijk died from emphysema in 1992, never seeing or visiting Parker again.[63]. There were no witnesses and almost no evidence, except that the killer spread pepper on and around the body before fleeing in hopes that police dogs would not pick up the scent. Parker managed his career with an iron fist. Where'd All The Money Go? - Celebrity Net Worth That number is down significantly from an estimated $100 million . After Parker's death in 1997, the home was used as a law . When he came out, he suffered from a psychosis that led to a brief stay at a mental ward, causing him to be discharged from the Army. But he had less than $750,000 in his savings account when he died, and his estate was valued at less than $10 million. . With no touring or public appearances to be made, Parker was able to keep costs to a minimum. Parker then managed a series of highly successful tours for Presley. Parker began 1956 intending to bring his new star to the national stage. He facilitated Presley's rise to superstardom in the 50s, and also influenced his decisions to accept his military draft and to marry his wife Priscilla, among other things. Colonel Tom Parker died at the age of 87 years. [53], From 1974 onward, Presley's weight gain and prescription drug abuse became too much to be controlled. Parker encountered Presley in 1955, and by 1956 had become his primary representative. [33] Presley had wanted to join Special Services, allowing him the opportunity to perform while at the same time getting an easier ride than other soldiers. He was subsequently in "Loving You," "Jailhouse Rock," and "King Creole." His mother was giving him a pep talk to calm his nerves. Nash said of Elvis' late manager: "The Colonel is a complicated character, and while he always took too much of Presley's money, he made some very sound decisions for him. His immigration status wasn't revealed for years. But the Colonel quickly got to work, starting as Elvis' advisor before they signed a contract giving him sole rights . [16] Parker had intended to mold Sands into the next Roy Rogers, but Sands had no interest in such a plan. [37] Parker, not one to forget harsh criticism, stated that the fee would be $125,000 (equivalent to about $1,145,000 in 2021) for two songs, a total of eight minutes on screen; Sinatra himself was receiving a lower sum for the whole show,[38] but he agreed. He arranged for Presley to appear on popular television shows, such as The Milton Berle Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, securing fees that made Presley the highest-paid star on television. and he was hired as a hotel consultant for $50,000 per year (323,906 in 2021 dollars). Although Parker infrequently saw Presley over the ensuing years, he remained his manager until Presley's passing in 1977. [4], On August 14, 1981, Judge Evans ordered Elvis Presley Enterprises to sue Parker for mismanagement. 'Elvis' Ending, Explained: Was Tom Parker Responsible For The - DMT [4] From about 1931 until 1938, he worked as a "carny" with Royal American Shows. [41], On January 2, 1967, Parker re-negotiated his managerial/agent contract with Presley, persuading him to increase Parker's share from 25% to 50% on certain transactions. [67] It is also recorded that Marie did not divorce her second husband until 1936, and her brother, Bitsy, recalled no ceremony of marriage between Parker and Marie. [4], "Colonel Tom Parker rubbed my head in Vegas", Eddie Murphy stated in 1989. His Dutch birthplace and immigrant status were not revealed for many years. Colonel Tom Parker was a music entrepreneur, well-known for being Elvis' manager. He was previously married to Loanne Miller and Marie Frances Mott. [60] In 1993, interest in Presley's enduring legend, interest that is sometimes notable for its obsessiveness, provoked Parker to remark: "I don't think I exploited Elvis as much as he's being exploited today. Parker encouraged Presley to make film musicals which became the focus of his career during his commercial decline in the 1960s until his 1968 comeback and return to touring. Austin had spent much of his fortune on partying, cars, mansions, and women, and his popularity had been eclipsed by other singers, such as Bing Crosby. While working in the circus in 1935, Parker wed Marie Francis Mott. For two years he served in the 64th Coast Artillery at Fort Shafter in Hawaii. [4] During the 1960s, with his wife's health deteriorating, and Presley's career struggling, Parker found an escape with gambling at Las Vegas casinos. He also assisted Jimmie Davis' campaign to become Governor of Louisiana. [14] With the Society in need of funds, Parker set about using his promotional experience to raise money and awareness for the shelter. . [53] Parker, who had always dealt with Presley's film contracts and viewed the offer as a starting bid to earning more money, instead asked for a salary $1 million ($5,035,869 in 2021 dollars[11]), 50% of the profits, plus another $100,000 ($503,587 in 2021 dollars[11]) for expenses, and spoke of needing to arrange details of a soundtrack deal. Snow attended the signing, thinking that Elvis had signed a management contract with Jamboree Attractions, which he owned with Parker. 4. [57], Parker set out to protect his future income. Nor did he ever suggest onstage that he knew of the colonel's immigration issues. [15], In 1948, Parker received the honorary rank of colonel in the Louisiana State Militia from Jimmie Davis, the governor of Louisiana and a former country singer, in return for work Parker did on Davis's election campaign. [50] Author Alanna Nash suggests that one of the reasons Parker didn't do more is because he may have just not known how to handle the situation. Tom Hanks took on the role of the so-called villain. [53] Hulett's company had managed tours for Presley, and he had worked with artists such as Led Zeppelin. In the early days of their marriage, Marie and Parker worked together in the carnivals. p. 258. [65], Others, however, had doubts about whether they were legally married at all. This was, with hindsight, a mistake on his part; if he had negotiated each deal separately based on the profits of the previous film, he could have received more money. Specifically: The services for Tom Parker were held at Palm Mortuary Downtown location, but his cremains were taken to Memphis, TN and the mortuary has no record of the exact location. At the time of Presley's death in 1977, it was suspected that Parker owed the Las Vegas Hilton over $30 million ($134,151,565 in 2021 dollars[11]) in gambling losses. At that point, Moore and Black had no contractual ties to either Phillips or Presley. [15] Despite this, Phillips was not keen to let him go easily, advising Parker that he would require $40,000 (US$404,621 in 2021 dollars[11]) to secure the release of Presley's contract, a completely unheard-of sum at the time. At the time of his death, Elvis was only worth . By the time Elvis died, the "Can't Help Falling In Love" singer's estate was in poor condition with only about $5 million. He subsequently performed at three charity events, and then suspended his live performing until 1968. [16] Remembering his previous experience with Sands, Sholes dismissed Sands as a viable replacement for Presley.[16]. Net Worth: $1 Million; Date of Birth: Jun 26, 1909 - Jan 21, 1997 (87 years old) What is Colonel Tom Parker worth? On January 20, 1997, Parker's wife heard a crashing sound from the living room, and found him slumped over in his chair after having a stroke. [4] By this time, with the IRS demanding almost $15 million in taxes, the estate was facing bankruptcy. [16] Sholes showed little interest in Sands, but promised that he would attempt to find songs Sands might be able to record. [citation needed], When Presley died on August 16, 1977, one day before he was due to go out on tour, some accounts suggest Parker acted as if nothing had happened. [10] Parker later said that at times they had had to live on as little as $1 a week (US$20 in 2021 dollars). Thomas Andrew Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk; June 26, 1909 January 21, 1997),[1] commonly known as Colonel Parker, was a Dutch musical entrepreneur, best known for being Elvis Presley's manager. Tom discovered Elvis in 1955 when he was 20, but their partnership wasn't . Who Was the Colonel Before He Met Elvis? - The Vintage News Colonel Tom Parker's Net Worth - Personal Life, Career, Death Little, Brown. Meanwhile, his gambling habit increasingly eroded the huge fortune he had built up, and he died worth only US$1,000,000. In 1958, Presley received his draft notice from the US Army. During this part of Presley's career, Parker and Presley agreed to a 50/50 "partnership", which, with Parker controlling merchandising and other non-music related items, resulted in Parker earning more than his client. Tom was born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in the Netherlands on June 26, 1909, but emigrated illegally to the United States when he was 20. [5] Parker countersued. Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's manager from 1955 to his death in 1977, earned an estimated $50 million from the singer's estate. Colonel Tom Parker acted as Presley's promoter and, then manager and promoter, for most of his career. [15] Presley had been at Sun Records since the beginning of his career, but Sam Phillips, the owner of Presley's current label, was aware that to have any kind of a successful future Presley would need the backing of a much larger label. [56] Other accounts suggest he slumped in his chair at his office, muttered, "Oh, dear God", and then quickly phoned Vernon Presley, where Parker advised Presley's father that his son's image needed to be protected. [50] This would be successful for a short time, but when Presley discovered the trick, he simply found himself other doctors. [53] Despite this, however, the deal never materialized. So Where'd All The Money Go??? [21] In return for a larger financial stake in the deal, Neal agreed not to renew his management contract with Presley after it expired in March 1956,[22] allowing Parker the opportunity to claim the job for himself. [56] At the funeral, he persuaded Presley's father to sign over control of Presley's career in death to him. Additionally, Tual determined that Parker's handling of Presley's business affairs was unethical. [4] During his first visit there, he traveled with a Chautauqua educational tent show, before returning briefly to the Netherlands. [54] Vernon also threatened to find a new manager if Parker wouldn't continue to tour Presley. Tom Hanks on controversial 'Elvis' biopic: 'What have I done?' Potomac, was going to be salvaged. In 1980, a judge ordered an investigation into Parker's management practices and found that Parker's management had been unethical. After a lifetime of earning well over $100 million managing Elvis, The Colonel's estate was barely worth $1 million upon his death. "[72] She reiterated her positive opinion to Tom Hanks in 2022 when the actor prepared to play Parker for Elvis (2022). [15] Parker and Snow eventually formed Hank Snow Enterprises and Jamboree Attractions, a successful promotional outfit for up-and-coming country singers. [65] Unbeknown to Parker at the time, she had a second son from her first marriage, but had given him up for adoption at birth due to his disability (a club foot). [55] According to Presley's friend, Larry Geller, Parker secretly wanted the book to be published, hoping that it would help Presley realize the severity of his situation and persuade him to do something about it. Inc.[4] However, because Parker was still entitled to 50% of all Presley's income, and after taxes were taken off, the overall amount going towards the upkeep of the estate was less than $1 million a year.[4]. Following his discharge, Parker worked at a number of jobs, including food concessions and gaming carnivals. Elvis Presley: how fame and fortune turned to tragedy Parker appeared to be in complete control during Presley's time away, but he was worried about the outside influence that Presley might encounter in West Germany. [39] When Presley complained to him that he wanted better scripts, Parker reminded him of his lavish lifestyle and that risking $1 million a year for doing practically no work was dangerous. 83 year old Colonel Tom Parker gambling in Las Vegas. This is from The majority of Elvis's reported net worth at the time of his death was comprised of royalties from record sales, publishing, film and concert tickets. [61], As Presley's fame grew, people became interested in Parker as well. Both Priscilla and Jerry said he was a lovely man". and he died worth only US$1,000,000. In the early 80s, an investigation was launched into Parker's management of Presley. Later, Davis says "He remembered me, and he said 'I told you you were going to be a star.' "[52], Parker accepted that their working relationship was over, Parker telling them over the phone that Dr. Nick's services are no longer required, and demanded that Presley pay him $2 million to end their contract; money Parker claimed he was owed. Who was Colonel Tom Parker? Elvis Presley's manager played by - Smooth He arranged for a screen test with Paramount Pictures, and after impressing them with Presley's acting ability, Presley was signed to a seven-picture contract.