Who is Ken Wahl? See Net-worth, Quote, Awards, Fact, Wiki
Ken Wahl Wiki Biography
Ken Wahl was born on 14 February 1957, in Chicago, Illinois USA, of German and Italian descent. Ken is an actor, best known for his television and film appearances throughout the 1980s to the 1990s. He was a part of the crime drama “Wiseguy” however an injury in 1992 ended his acting career. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Ken Wahl? As of early-2017, sources inform us of a net worth that is at $250,000, mostly earned through a successful career in acting. He’s now known for being an advocate for veterans’ rights and against animal abuse. He’s also had high profile marriages, but all of these achievements ensured the position of his wealth.
Ken Wahl Net Worth $250,000
Ken attended several high schools when he was younger, and played baseball mostly as a shortstop. However a motorcycle accident would end his chance at a sporting career. He then apparently worked as a gas-station attendant, and as a janitor while still in high school, before he matriculated from Bremen High in 1975, after which he would leave home to work at odd jobs around the country. When he got to Los Angeles, he found work as an extra in movies such as “The Buddy Holly Story”, then in 1979 he was cast in the film “The Wanderers” as the lead, and he would start getting recognition. His net worth also started to rise at this point.
The success of the film led Ken to other opportunities, such as in “Fort Apache, The Bronx”. He was also cast as the lead in “The Soldier”, “Purple Hearts”, “Jinxed!” and “Race for the Yankee Zephyr”. In 1984, he was about to discuss a role in the film “Mrs. Soffel”, however, he received another motorcycle injury, which led to the role being given to Mel Gibson – Wahl had had 89 stitches inserted in his scalp due to the injury. The following year, he appeared in the television movie “The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission”, and then co-starred with Billy Dee Williams in the series “Double Dare”. In 1987, he was offered the lead role in “Wiseguy” which he would join until 1990, and his performance in the show would win him a Golden Globe Award as well as a nomination for an Emmy Award. He also tried his hand at writing and directing as part of the show. During the filming of the second season, he ended up injuring his Achilles tendon causing him to miss several episodes. Other projects he was a part of included “The Taking of Beverly Hills” as well as a “Wiseguy” reunion television movie, which was his final performance.
In 1992, Ken was reported to have been in another motorcycle crash but it was later confirmed that he fell down a flight of stairs while at the home of Joan Child, keeping it secret to protect Joan’s privacy. It took him 2 ½ years to learn how to walk again, and the pain made him realize that he just couldn’t take on acting projects anymore.
For his personal life, it is known that Ken married Corinne Alphen in 1983, but they divorced in 1991; they have a child. In 1993, Wahl married Lorrie Vidal and it lasted for four years, during which they had two children together. In 1997, he married Shane Barbi of the Barbi twins, and they have been together ever since.
Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, People’s Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a New TV Series
Movies
The Wanderers, Running Scared, Fort Apache, The Bronx, Race for the Yankee Zephyr, The Soldier, Jinxed!, Purple Hearts, The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission, The Gladiator, The Taking of Beverly Hills, The Favor, Search for Grace
TV Shows
Wiseguy
Quote
1
I’m forever grateful for all the major producers who offered me numerous opportunities for huge come-backs. Maybe it’s for the best, I just didn’t have the personality to be famous and felt out of place in the limelight.
2
On the Wiseguy (1996) movie they were shooting me up like a racehorse with cortisone and s—. I only worked 16 days and barely got through it. That’s when I knew I couldn’t do it anymore. I had to hang ’em up.
3
[on being named the Sexiest Man on TV by Us magazine] When that Sexiest Man thing came out, I absolutely hated it. Everybody likes to be thought of as attractive, but when it’s the foremost thing that you’re known for, it’s the kiss of death.
4
[on the accident during the filming of Wiseguy (1987)] She (Jan Eliasberg) had me walking into my own POV shot, and you don’t have to be Steven Spielberg to know that that’s not right. I was stepping up, and the [camera] wheel caught my right heel and it just ripped out the Achilles tendon. Pop! It sounded like a champagne cork. But she wanted to do it again, so I said, ‘Okay, you’re the boss.’ From that day forward, I’ve never been the same.
5
Every single movie I’ve done has been crap because they’ve cut the best stuff out.
Fact
1
In a 2004 interview, Wahl admitted that the story he told about breaking his neck in a motorcycle accident was false. He admitted that he broke his neck falling down a staircase at Joan Dangerfield’s house. According to Wahl, Joan was Rodney Dangerfield’s girlfriend at the time and asked Wahl not to reveal her infidelity.
2
Has four children. One child, Raymond William Wahl (DOB: January 14, 1984), is from his first marriage to Corinne Wahl. Three children, Louie, Cody and Kyra, are from his second marriage to Lorrie Vidal.
3
He chose the stage name of Ken Wahlis in honor of a man who saved his father’s life in the Korean War.
4
Crashed his motorcycle at age 15 and again in 1984 as he was on his way to a meeting with Diane Keaton to co-star in Mrs. Soffel. The part went to Mel Gibson.
5
Selling personally designed September 11th commerative American Flags, for $155 each on his web site (August 2002)
6
First wife, actress Corinne Alphen Wahl was Penthouse Pet of the Year in mid 1980s.
7
Was arrested in December 1996 after pulling a knife on a bartender who refused to serve him any more alcohol at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel. Was charged with making a terrorist threat, assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a knife, and vandalism for $800 in damage done to the bar with the knife. Pleaded no contest, and was sentenced to a live-in alcohol rehabilitation program and ordered to pay the hotel damages. Was also ordered to stay away from the hotel and write a letter of apology to the bartender.
8
Wife Shane Barbi was a Playboy model and magazine cover girl in the early and mid-1990s, half of the famous blonde Barbi twins with identical-twin sister Sia.
9
Ken was working as a gas station jockey in the Midwest when he decided to drive out to LA and try to his luck in Hollywood.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Wiseguy
1996
TV Movie
Vinnie Terranova
Search for Grace
1994
TV Movie
John ‘Johnny’ Danielli / Jake
The Favor
1994
Tom Andrews
The Taking of Beverly Hills
1991
Boomer Hayes
Wiseguy
1987-1990
TV Series
Vinnie Terranova / John Terranova
Omega Syndrome
1986
Jack Corbett
The Gladiator
1986
TV Movie
Rick Benton
Double Dare
1985
TV Series
Ken Sisko
The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission
1985
TV Movie
Louis Valentine
Purple Hearts
1984
Don Jardian
Jinxed!
1982
Willie Brodax
The Soldier
1982
The Soldier
Treasure of the Yankee Zephyr
1981
Barney
Fort Apache the Bronx
1981
Corelli
Running Scared
1980
Chas McClain
The Wanderers
1979
Richie
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Wiseguy
1989
TV Series story – 2 episodes
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Wiseguy
1990
TV Series 1 episode
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Wanderers
1979
performer: “Stranger Girl”
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Saving America’s Horses: A Nation Betrayed
2012
Documentary
Himself
E! True Hollywood Story
2001
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1991
TV Series
Himself
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1989
TV Special
Himself – Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1990
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Wiseguy (1987)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1990
Q Award
Viewers for Quality Television Awards
Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series
Wiseguy (1987)
1989
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama