Frank Bonner: What Was The TV Actor's Net Worth At The Time Of His Death

"WKRP in Cincinnati" star Frank Bonner's last movie appearance was the 2014 Owen Wilson-directed film, "Under The Hollywood Sign" (via IMDB). The 80s sitcom legend, who (per Fox News) would go on to direct episodes of "Who's the Boss?," "Head of the Class," and "Newhart," didn't spend a lot of time on the red carpet during the latter half of his career. 

Given, in the 80s and early 90s sitcom salaries were a lot lower than today's. While Bonner played in "WKRP in Cincinnati" between 1978 and 1982 and later in "Saved by the Bell: The New Class" between 1994 and 1997, it's unlikely the actor would have earned anywhere near the 1 million dollars an episode that Jim Parson apparently earned during his tenure as Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory" or Jennifer Anniston earned during the end of her stint as Rachel on "Friends" (via Reviews). 

How much might Bonner have earned per episode? It's much more likely that the comedic genius brought home something similar to what Parade reports that "Dallas" star Patrick Duffy was making in 1987 ($10,000 per episode) or what Tom Wopat and Jon Schneider were making filming "The Dukes of Hazzard" in 1979 ($30,000) an episode. In any case, Bonner (according to Variety) made appearances in 88 of 90 "WKRP in Cincinnati" episodes, doubtless earning him enough to pick and choose his next roles. 

As per what his wife Gayle told The Hollywood Reporter, Frank Bonner died in his California home on June 17, 2021. At the time of his death, the Arkansas-born actor was living in Laguna Niguel, a small upscale coastal city in Orange County, where houses cost, per the United States Census), over $800,000 dollars on average. It's not the celebrity-filled Beverly Hills (where Jessica Alba and Elton John hang out) or Santa Barbara (where Bonner would have been neighbors with Meghan and Harry), but Laguna Niguel nonetheless boasts a number of well-known actors, artists, and athletes as its residents. Among them is gymnast and former Olympic gold medal McKayla Rose Maroney.

Estimates as to Frank Bonner's exact net worth at the time of his death vary. One thing is certain, however. The star of one of the 1980s' most popular sitcoms could undoubtedly afford the lifestyle. At the time of his death, Frank Bonner was worth between $1.5 million (if you ask Net Worthey) and perhaps upwards of $5 million (if you ask Buzz Learn).