Carson Wayne Newton, also known as Mr. Las Vegas, is an American actor and singer. He was one of the most famous performers in the United States during the second half of the 20th century. Even today, Newton is still recognized as one of the top entertainers in Las Vegas and has been performing there since 1963.
Wayne Newton Bio Summary
Full name: Carson Wayne Newton
Place of birth: Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Date of birth: 3 April 1942
Age: 81 years old
Height: 6 ft 2 in (187 cm)
Weight: 198 lbs (90 kg)
Eye color: Dark brown
Hair color: Black
Education: North High School
Nationality: American
Zodiac sign: Aries
Gender: Male
Sexual orientation: Straight
Kids: Lauren Ashley Newton and Erin Newton
Marital status: Married
Wife’s name: Kathleen McCrone (m. 1994)
Mother’s name: Evelyn Marie Newton
Father’s name: Patrick Newton
Siblings: Jerry Newton
Profession: American singer
Early Life
Carson Wayne Newton, also known as Wayne Newton, was born on April 3, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia to Patrick Newton, an auto mechanic, and Evelyn Marie Smith.
Wayne began his career in the entertainment industry as a child, at the age of six, while his father was away serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He learned to play the piano, guitar, and steel guitar during this time.
After the family relocated to Newark, Ohio, Newton and his older brother started performing at various venues such as clubs, fairs, and theaters. However, due to Newton’s severe asthma, they moved to Phoenix in 1952. As a result, he dropped out of North High School before completing his junior year.
The Rascals in Rhythm, a duo of brothers, were featured in the Grand Ole Opry roadshows and TV programs such as “Ozark Jubilee.” They even had the opportunity to play for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 1958, while appearing on the “Lew King Rangers Show” on local television, they caught the attention of a booking agent from Las Vegas. For five years, the brothers performed six times a day.
Career
In 1962, Wayne Newton’s first appearance on television was on “The Jackie Gleason Show.” He was also cast in a role on the popular western series “Bonanza.” The following year, Capitol Records signed Wayne and released his debut album, “Danke Schoen.”
The title track quickly became a huge success, reaching #13 on the “Billboard” charts. It became his most iconic song and was even featured on the soundtrack of the 1986 film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Notable figures in the entertainment industry, such as Lucille Ball, Bobby Darin, and Jack Benny, offered their endorsement to Newton during his early days. Benny even gave Newton the opportunity to perform as the opening act for his show, and later, he was given a lead act at the Flamingo Hotel.
In 1972, his single “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Far” sold over one million copies. Newton went on to take the place of the Beach Boys and The Grass Roots at the 1983 Fourth of July event at the Washington Mall.
In 1983, Newton, a friend and donor to the Republican Party, was met with a mix of cheers and boos as he took the stage on the Mall for Independence Day. This was during the time when James G. Watt, President Reagan’s Secretary of the Interior, had prohibited rock concerts due to concerns about drug and alcohol use and attracting a negative crowd.
“The Letter,” released in December 1992, reached the top spot on both the Cashbox Pop and Country charts, marking a significant achievement for Wayne. However, it also made history as the first record to reach #1 on the Cashbox chart without making an appearance on the “Billboard” Hot 100.
During the late ’80s and ’90s, Wayne Newton established himself as a solo performer on the Las Vegas circuit, culminating in his milestone 25,000th solo show in 1994.
In January 2005, Newton launched a reality competition show called “The Entertainer” on E! Entertainment. The winner got a spot in his act and their own headlining act for a year.
In 2007, Wayne Newton was on “Dancing With the Stars” with two-time champion Cheryl Burke. They were the third pair eliminated. That same year, Wayne became the first guest star on “The Price is Right” with new host Drew Carey. Newton appeared after a trip to Las Vegas was shown.
In 2008, Newton received a Woodrow Wilson Award for public service. In October 2009, he started performing his show “Once Before I Go” in Las Vegas. He then took a 5-year break to be with his family and prepare his voice for a future Las Vegas residency.
In 2016, he returned to the stage at Bally’s Hotel with a lounge show called “Up Close & Personal.” It combined singing and playing some of his 13 self-taught instruments.
Over the years, Wayne Newton has become a famous entertainer in Las Vegas. He has performed over 30,000 times in the city, known as “The Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Personal Life
From 1968 to 1985, Wayne Newton and Elaine Okamura were husband and wife. However, their marriage ended in divorce after 17 years. They have a daughter, Erin Newton.
In 1994, Newton tied the knot again, this time with Kathleen McCrone. He makes an effort to maintain a harmonious relationship, often taking time off to spend with his family. Together, they have a daughter named Lauren Ashley Newton.
Net Worth
With a net worth of $50 million, Wayne Newton is a well-known American performer, recognized for his popular songs like “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast,” as well as his highly successful shows in Las Vegas, which have totaled over 30,000. While he declared bankruptcy in 1992 and faced financial struggles again in 2010, he has since made a strong comeback.
