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Who is Wayne Newton?
Wayne Newton is a renowned American singer, actor, and entertainer. He’s famous for his hit songs like “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast,” as well as his impressive record of more than 30,000 sold-out performances in Las Vegas. Although he faced financial challenges with bankruptcy filings in 1992 and a near-brush with bankruptcy in 2010, he has since made a successful financial recovery.
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Quick Facts
- Full Name: Carson Wayne Newton
- Birthdate: April 3, 1942
- Birthplace: Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Nicknames: The Midnight Idol, Mr. Las Vegas, Mr. Entertainment
- Signature Songs: “Danke Schoen” and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast”
- Notable Career Milestones: Over 30,000 live performances in Las Vegas
- Early Musical Success: “Danke Schoen” reached No. 13 on the Billboard charts
- Iconic Residence: Owned the sprawling Casa de Shenandoah estate in Paradise, Nevada
- Legal Battles: Faced bankruptcy filings in 1992 and 2010
- Family: Married to Elaine Okamura from 1968-1985, and Kathleen McCrone since 1994
- Children: Erin Newton (with Elaine) and Lauren Ashley Newton (with Kathleen)
Early Life and Career
Born Carson Wayne Newton on April 3, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia, Wayne Newton’s journey into the world of entertainment began at a young age. His parents were Patrick Newton, an auto mechanic, and Evelyn Marie Smith. At just six years old, he demonstrated an impressive musical talent, mastering the piano, guitar, and steel guitar.
Newton’s early foray into showbiz took root during his childhood, while his father served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The family relocated to Newark, Ohio, where young Wayne, along with his elder brother, started performing in various venues, including clubs, fairs, and theaters.
Due to Wayne’s severe asthma, the Newton family made another move, this time to Phoenix in 1952. It was during this period that Wayne decided to leave North High School before completing his junior year.
The Newton brothers, known as the “Rascals in Rhythm,” embarked on a journey that saw them touring with the Grand Ole Opry roadshows and appearing on television specials like the “Ozark Jubilee.” Their talents even graced the presence of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In the spring of 1958, Wayne Newton’s remarkable talent caught the eye of a Las Vegas booking agent when he appeared on a local TV show called the “Lew King Rangers Show.” This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his career. The Newton brothers performed tirelessly, captivating audiences with six shows a day over the course of five years.
Entertainment Career
Wayne Newton’s journey in the entertainment world took off in 1962 when he became a prominent figure on the Jackie Gleason Show. He also secured a role on the classic western TV series, “Bonanza.” By 1963, Capitol Records had signed him, and his debut album, “Danke Schoen,” hit the shelves. This album quickly skyrocketed, reaching No. 13 on the Billboard charts, and its title track became Wayne’s signature song. It even found a place in the soundtrack of the popular film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in 1986.
During his early years in showbiz, Wayne received support and recognition from established entertainment icons like Lucille Ball, Bobby Darin, and Jack Benny. In fact, Benny hired Wayne Newton as an opening act for his show, which eventually led to Wayne headlining at the Flamingo Hotel.
In 1972, Wayne’s recording of “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast” sold over 1 million copies. His influence was such that he replaced the Beach Boys and The Grass Roots at the 1983 Independence Day celebration on the Washington Mall, despite some controversy over rock group performances.
Wayne Newton was a friend and supporter of President Reagan and a contributor to the Republican Party. He took the stage on the Independence Day of 1983 to a mixed reception of cheers and some boos.
In December 1992, Wayne Newton’s “The Letter” soared to #1 on the Cashbox Pop and Country charts, but it didn’t make the Billboard Hot 100, marking a unique occurrence in chart history.
Throughout the late ’80s and ’90s, Wayne Newton performed as a solo act in the Las Vegas circuit, reaching a landmark 25,000th solo show in Las Vegas in 1994.
In 1999, he inked a groundbreaking 10-year deal with the Stardust Resort and Casino on the Vegas Strip, where he performed 40 weeks a year, six shows a week, in a showroom bearing his name. However, in 2005, the casino was demolished, and the deal ended amicably. Subsequently, Wayne Newton embarked on a 30-show run that summer at the Hilton.
In January 2005, Wayne Newton ventured into reality TV with “The Entertainer,” a competition show on E! Entertainment network. The winner earned a spot in Wayne’s act and their own headlining act for a year. Wayne Newton also graced the 2007 fall season of “Dancing With the Stars,” where he partnered with two-time champion Cheryl Burke, though they were the third pair eliminated.
In 2008, Wayne Newton received a Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, acknowledging his charitable contributions to his community. In October 2009, he started his show, “Once Before I Go,” at the Tropicana hotel and casino in Las Vegas, taking a five-year break to spend time with his family and prepare for a future Las Vegas residency. His triumphant return to the stage was marked in 2016 at Bally’s Hotel with a lounge show, “Up Close & Personal,” featuring a blend of singing and his impressive performance on 13 self-taught instruments.
Over the years, Wayne Newton has solidified his status as one of the most recognized entertainers in Las Vegas, earning nicknames like “The Midnight Idol,” “Mr. Las Vegas,” and “Mr. Entertainment.” To date, he has graced the stage with over 30,000 live performances in Las Vegas, rightfully earning its title as “The Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Personal Life
Wayne Newton’s personal life has seen two significant chapters in terms of marriage. His first marriage was to Elaine Okamura, which lasted from 1968 to 1985. During this union, they welcomed one child, Erin Newton, who was born in 1976.
In 1994, Wayne Newton tied the knot with lawyer Kathleen McCrone, marking the beginning of his second marital journey. This marriage has brought them a daughter named Lauren Ashley Newton, who was born in 2002.
Financial Problems
Wayne Newton’s financial journey has seen its share of ups and downs. In 1992, he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to tackle a hefty $20 million debt, primarily stemming from a legal battle against NBC for libel. This lawsuit arose from claims that the network had falsely reported his involvement with the Mafia in the purchase of the Aladdin Hotel. To add to his financial woes, a $341,000 IRS tax lien was included in the bankruptcy proceedings.
Thankfully, by 1999, Wayne Newton had managed to recover from these financial troubles. However, a new challenge emerged in August 2005 when the IRS filed a lawsuit against him and his wife, alleging they owed over $1.8 million in taxes and penalties.
In late 2009, officials at the Oakland County Airport in Waterford, Michigan, raised a claim against Wayne Newton, stating that he owed the airport more than $60,000 in unpaid parking fees. This financial setback occurred after he abandoned a private plane worth $2 million at the airport more than three years prior. The monthly parking fee for the plane amounted to $5,000, but these fees went unpaid. Over time, the plane deteriorated, becoming overrun with mold to the point where it could no longer function as an aircraft.
Casa de Shenandoah
Wayne Newton’s former residence, Casa de Shenandoah, was an iconic 39-acre estate located in Paradise, Nevada, where he and his family resided from the 1960s until 2010. The story of this grand estate is quite intriguing. Wayne began acquiring the property in the early 1960s, starting with his purchase of the first parcel. By 1966, he had expanded to five surrounding acres, ultimately reaching nearly 40 acres in total.
The centerpiece of the estate was an impressive 11,000 square-foot mansion, which was completed in 1978 and reportedly cost him around $4 million at the time, equivalent to approximately $15 million in today’s dollars. Wayne Newton took a personal hand in designing the house, drawing inspiration from the Tara plantation in “Gone with the Wind.” During the peak of his career, Wayne, along with his family (including his parents), and an entourage of 70 servants and aides, called this remarkable property home.
Casa de Shenandoah was not just a mansion; it was a world of its own. The estate featured a zoo that housed exotic Arabian horses, wallabies, flamingos, monkeys (known for their occasional biting of guests, leading to several lawsuits), penguins, and an extensive birdcage with 100 bird species. Locals would even drop off unwanted pets at the property, resulting in a sizeable collection of free-roaming dogs, cats, and bunnies. The equestrian facilities on the estate could accommodate over 100 horses and included an exercise pool and a hospital for the horses. The property had a jumbo jet terminal and a runway, as Wayne was the owner of several planes, notably a Learjet and a Fokker F-28 private jet.
In addition to these extraordinary amenities, the estate featured a heliport, a car museum capable of housing dozens of vehicles, tennis courts, a gaming room, and production facilities.
However, in 2010, Wayne Newton sold 80% of the property as part of a bankruptcy restructuring. The buyer, a development company, acquired it for $20 million with the intention of converting the estate into a theme park. This decision led to multiple lawsuits, primarily from local residents concerned about increased traffic in the neighborhood. Another legal battle arose between the developer and Wayne himself, with the developer claiming Wayne refused to vacate the property for the theme park/museum conversion. Ultimately, the theme park plans were abandoned, and in 2013, the development company tried to sell the property in its own bankruptcy restructuring. The initial listing price was $70 million, but they later reduced it to $48 million, then $30 million, with no takers.
In early 2019, Wayne attempted to reacquire 100% ownership of Casa de Shenandoah for $6 million, but his offer was declined. The property was eventually sold in April 2019 to an entity called Smoketree LLC for $5.56 million. Following the sale, Wayne filed a lawsuit to retrieve the estate’s contents, which included personal items, art, and animals. He also asserted his legal ownership of the name “Casa Shenandoah,” which had to be removed from the property.
In 2013, Wayne and his wife made a new real estate move, purchasing a 10-acre property just two miles down the road from their former estate for a total of $8 million across three transactions.