Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr., who was known as Joseph Cotten, was an American stage, radio, television, and film actor best known for his roles in several film classics of the 1940s, particularly those directed by Orson Welles. He then gained worldwide fame in three The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Orson Welles films: Citizen Kane (1941), and Journey into Fear (1943), for which Cotten was also credited with the screenplay.
He suddenly passed away on February 6, 1994, in Westwood, California, in the United States. Please continue reading to learn more about Joseph Cotten’s bio, net worth, career highlights, family, and legacy.
Joseph Cotten’s Net Worth
How rich was Joseph Cotten before he died? Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr. was an American stage, radio, television, and film actor best known for his roles in several film classics of the 1940s, particularly those directed by Orson Welles. At the time of his passing, Joseph was worth $15 million, and acting was his source of income. Cotten received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 10th Venice International Film Festival for his performance in Portrait of Jennie (1948). In 1960, he was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
| Net Worth | $15 million |
| Salary | – |
| Profession | Stage, Radio, Television, and Film Actor |
Early Life
Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr. was brought into the world on May 15, 1905, in Petersburg, Virginia, United States, under the Taurus zodiac sign. He held American nationality and was of white ethnicity. Cotten is the first of three sons born to Joseph Cheshire Cotten Sr., an assistant postmaster, and Sally Willson Cotten. Cotten grew up in the Tidewater and showed an aptitude for drama and a gift for storytelling. He attended and graduated from the Hickman School of Expression in Washington, D.C., which his family arranged. During World War II, Cotten was a member of the First Motion Picture Unit in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
Quick Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr. |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of Birth | May 15, 1905 |
| Date of Death | February 6, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Petersburg, Virginia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Basic School | Unknown |
| High School | Unknown |
| University | Hickman School of Expression in Washington, D.C. |
| Credentials | Unknown |
Career
Cotten rose to fame on Broadway, starring in the original productions of Sabrina Fair and The Philadelphia Story. Then, he achieved worldwide renown in three films directed by Orson Welles: The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Citizen Kane (1941), and Journey into Fear (1943), for which Cotten is also credited as the screenwriter.
Cotten became one of the most prominent Hollywood actors of the 1940s, starring in films such as Gaslight (1944), Duel in the Sun (1946), Love Letters (1945), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Portrait of Jennie (1948), for which he received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, Niagara (1953), and The Third Man (1949). Heaven’s Gate (1980) was one of Michael Cimino’s final films.
Numerous film critics and media agencies have cited him as one of the greatest actors to have ever been nominated for an Academy Award.
Personal Life
Who was Joseph Cottent married to? Does Joseph Cotten have kids? Joseph Cotten was first married to Lenore Kipp, who unfortunately died of leukemia at the beginning of 1960. On October 20, 1960, in Beverly Hills, at the home of David O. Selznick and Jennifer Jones, Cotten and Patricia Medina, a British actress, exchanged marriage vows. Following their marriage, the two lovebirds bought a historic 1935 home in the Mesa neighborhood of Palm Springs, California, where they lived from 1985 to 1992. Cotten and Patricia never gave birth to their own.
| Spouse | Patricia Medina (m. 1960–1994), Lenore Kipp LaMont (m. 1931–1960) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Joseph Cotten, Sr., and Sally Bartlett |
| Siblings | Sam Cotten and Whit Cotten |
Illness and death
Joseph Cotten experienced a heart attack and a stroke that affected his brain’s speech center. He began years of rehabilitation, which eventually allowed him to speak again. Due to malignancy, Cotten’s larynx was excised in 1990. Cotten died of pneumonia on February 6, 1994, at age 88, and was buried at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia.
Frequently Ask Questions
Where was Joseph Cotten’s birthplace?
He was born in Petersburg, Virginia, United States.
Who was Joseph Cotten married to?
He was married to Patricia Medin.
What was the net worth of Joseph Cotten before he passed away?
Joseph Cotten was worth $15 million before he passed away.
How old was Joseph Cotten at the time of her passing?
Josepoh Cotten died at age 88.
What was the full name of Joseph Cotten?
His full name was Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr..
