Milburn Stone Net Worth 2025 : Age, Height and Family

Hugh Milburn Stone, known professionally as Milburn Stone, was an American actor best recognized for his iconic portrayal of Doc Adams (Dr. Galen Adams) in the legendary Western television series Gunsmoke. With a career spanning decades in Hollywood from B-movies under Universal Pictures to his Emmy-winning performance on one of the longest-running dramas in TV history Stone became a beloved figure in American entertainment. 

This article explores Milburn Stone net worth, income sources, early life, family, education, physical stats, and career achievements. It also compares his wealth with other personalities like Emily Mae Young, Chad Michael Collins, and Justin Saliman, providing a detailed, factual, and insightful look at the man behind one of television’s most enduring characters.

Milburn Stone Wiki/Bio

Category	Details
Full Name	Hugh Milburn Stone
Famous As	Doc Adams (Dr. Galen Adams) in Gunsmoke
Date of Birth	July 5, 1904
Place of Birth	Burrton, Kansas, USA
Date of Death	June 12, 1980
Age at Death	75 years
Cause of Death	Heart Attack
Nationality	American
Profession	Actor
Active Years	1919 – 1975
Notable Work	Gunsmoke (1955–1975) – 20 Seasons, 600 Episodes
Awards	Emmy Award (1968), Western Heritage Awards (1967, 1972)
Height	1.73 meters (5′8″)
Weight	Approximately 75 kg
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Blue
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Spouses	Ellen Morrison (first wife), Jane Garrison (second wife)
Children	1 Daughter – Shirley Stone
Residence (Later Years)	La Jolla, California, USA
Resting Place	El Camino Memorial Park, La Jolla, California
Education	Burrton High School
Known For	Iconic role as the town doctor in the classic Western TV series Gunsmoke
Net Worth at Death (1980)	$600,000
Major Film Studio	Universal Pictures
Legacy	One of the most beloved figures in television history and Western entertainment

Milburn Stone Net Worth and Income Sources

At the time of his death in 1980, Milburn Stone’s net worth was estimated at $600,000. For the era, this represented a substantial fortune—equivalent to several million dollars today. His income was primarily derived from his acting career, spanning over four decades in Hollywood.

• Television Salary:
  Stone’s role as Doc Adams on Gunsmoke was his most profitable work. Appearing in over 600 episodes from 1955 to 1975, his salary grew significantly as the show became the longest-running Western drama in television history.
  
• Film Roles:
  Before Gunsmoke, Stone appeared in numerous B-movies produced by Universal Pictures, where he earned a steady income through supporting roles.
  
• Stage Performances:
  In his early years, Stone worked in traveling stage shows across the Midwest, particularly around Burrton, Kansas, where his talent first gained attention.
  
• Royalties and Syndication:
  The reruns of Gunsmoke generated posthumous earnings for Stone’s estate, thanks to syndication agreements and merchandising tied to his Doc Adams character.

Early Life of Milburn Stone

Born on July 5, 1904, in Burrton, Kansas, Hugh Milburn Stone was raised in a modest household with a strong appreciation for the arts. His natural charm and deep voice made him a favorite among local theater audiences long before he reached Hollywood.

Growing up in early 20th-century Kansas, Stone’s exposure to traveling entertainment groups and vaudeville performances inspired him to pursue acting. By his late teens, he joined local stage productions and gradually moved to larger cities, determined to turn his passion into a profession.

His Kansas upbringing instilled a grounded, hard-working attitude that later shaped his portrayal of Dr. Galen Adams—a wise, patient, and compassionate doctor who mirrored Stone’s own personality.

Milburn Stone Education

Milburn Stone attended Burrton High School, where he first became involved in drama and public speaking. Though he did not attend college, his early experiences in stage performance served as his “education in acting.” He developed his craft through on-the-job learning, theater work, and performing in small-town productions, gaining real-world experience that would later translate into his success in Hollywood.

His self-taught understanding of human emotion and storytelling made him an exceptional American actor, earning him respect among peers who had formal training. Stone’s journey reflects the value of dedication and lifelong learning in building a meaningful career.

Milburn Stone Family

Family was a cornerstone in Milburn Stone’s life. He was married twice—first to Ellen Morrison, and after her passing, to Jane Garrison. Both marriages reflected different stages of his personal and professional life.

He had one daughter, Shirley Stone, who remained a cherished part of his family legacy. Despite his fame, Stone maintained a quiet, private personal life. His deep commitment to his family paralleled the integrity of his on-screen character, Doc Adams, who often served as the moral compass of Gunsmoke.

Milburn Stone Net Worth Vs Other Personalities Net Worth

Personality	Profession	Estimated Net Worth	Comparison
Milburn Stone	American Actor (Gunsmoke)	$600,000 (1980)	–
Emily Mae Young	Child Actress (Grace Under Fire)	$2 Million	Higher modern value
Chad Michael Collins	Actor (Sniper Series)	$5 Million	Substantially higher
Justin Saliman	Orthopedic Surgeon & Entrepreneur	$105 Million	Much higher due to medical & business ventures

Career

Milburn Stone’s career journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and talent. His transition from stage performances to Hollywood stardom is one of the most remarkable success stories in early American television.

• Began acting in traveling stage shows across the Midwest during the 1920s.
  
• Signed a contract with Universal Pictures, appearing in B-movies and supporting roles.
  
• Played various characters in films like “Frontier Badmen” (1943) and “Master Key” (1945).
  
• In 1955, Stone was cast as Dr. Galen “Doc” Adams in Gunsmoke, a role that would define his career.
  
• Appeared in over 600 episodes throughout the show’s 20-season run from 1955 to 1975.
  
• Won the Emmy Award in 1968 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
  
• Received the Western Heritage Award twice (1967, 1972) for his contribution to Western television history.
  
• Retired after Gunsmoke ended, leaving a legacy that influenced generations of actors.

Milburn Stone Age

Milburn Stone was born in 1904 and passed away in 1980 at the age of 75. His life spanned a pivotal era in American entertainment—from the dawn of silent cinema to the rise of color television. His age at the height of Gunsmoke (1955–1975) ranged from 51 to 71, making his long-term dedication to one character particularly impressive.                                                                                              

Milburn Stone Physical Stats

Attribute	Detail
Height	1.73 meters (5’8″)
Weight	Approx. 75 kg
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Blue
Build	Average
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Birthplace	Burrton, Kansas, USA
Death Place	La Jolla, California, USA

Conclusion

Milburn Stone remains one of the most iconic American actors in television history, remembered for his heartfelt performance as Doc Adams in Gunsmoke. With a career that evolved from humble beginnings in Burrton, Kansas, to earning an Emmy Award in 1968, Stone’s journey is a testament to dedication and artistic integrity.

Despite a net worth of $600,000 at the time of his death at age 75, his real wealth lies in his legacy—his influence on future generations of actors, his contributions to the classic Western genre, and his role in shaping one of TV’s longest-running dramas.

From his enduring compassion as Dr. Galen Adams to his quiet life in La Jolla, California, Milburn Stone’s name will forever stand as a symbol of excellence, humility, and timeless storytelling in Hollywood’s golden age.

FAQs

When did Milburn Stone leave Gunsmoke?

Milburn Stone left Gunsmoke in 1975 when the show ended after its 20th season, marking the conclusion of his role as Doc Adams.

How old was Milburn Stone when he died?

Milburn Stone was 75 years old when he died on June 12, 1980, from a heart attack in La Jolla, California.

What was Milburn Stone net worth when he died?

At the time of his death in 1980, Milburn Stone’s estimated net worth was around $600,000, primarily earned from his long television acting career.