Milburn Stone Net Worth, Age, Height, Career, and Family Wiki
Milburn Stone was a famous American television actor. He played Doc Adams on the classic western Gunsmoke.
His face is known worldwide even today. Milburn Stone brought warmth and wisdom to the screen. He was born on July 5, 1904. His age at death was 75 years old. His height was 5 feet 8 inches. His weight was around 185 lbs.
He acted for over 40 years. Milburn Stone won an Emmy Award in 1968. His net worth was $2 million in 1980. His family included three wives and one daughter. He remains a true legend of western television.
Milburn Stone Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hugh Milburn Stone |
| Birth | July 5, 1904 |
| Age | 75 (at death in 1980) |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 185 lbs (84 kg) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Grey (originally Brown) |
| Body Type / Build | Sturdy, Average |
| Shoe Size | 9 (US) |
| Chest Size | 42 inches |
| Waist Size | 34 inches |
| Biceps Size | 14 inches |
| Skin Tone | Caucasian |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Education | Burrton High School |
| Career Highlights | 20 seasons on Gunsmoke, Emmy Award winner |
| Net Worth | $2 Million (at death in 1980) |
| Wealth Sources | Acting, residuals, real estate |
| Notable Skills | Character acting, vaudeville performance |
| Family | Herbert Stone (father), Laura Stone (mother) |
| Social Presence | N/A (pre-internet era) |
Milburn Stone Real Name
His real name is Hugh Milburn Stone. He used Milburn Stone professionally. The name Hugh came from his grandfather.
He dropped Hugh to sound more unique. Milburn was his mother’s choice. It is a strong and memorable name. Stone is his family surname from England.
Fans called him “Doc” on the set. His nickname was “Milly” among friends. Milburn Stone never changed his name legally. He kept it simple and authentic. The name now lives in TV history books.
Milburn Stone Early Life and Education
He was born in Burrton, Kansas. This was a very small town. Milburn Stone grew up on a farm. He learned hard work very early.
He attended Burrton High School. He was active in the drama club. Milburn Stone also played basketball. He sang in a barbershop quartet. Music and acting were his passions.
He received a big opportunity. Milburn Stone got a congressional appointment. It was for the United States Naval Academy. He turned it down completely. He chose acting instead. Milburn Stone joined a stock theater company. Helen Ross led that company. This decision changed his whole life.
Milburn Stone Parents and Siblings
His father was Herbert Macklin Stone. Herbert was a shopkeeper. His mother was Laura Anna Stone. She was a homemaker.
Milburn Stone had two siblings. His brother was Joe Stone. Joe became a television writer. He wrote scripts for Gunsmoke as well. His sister was Glennis Stone Ellis.
His uncle was famous. Fred Stone was a Broadway comedian. Milburn Stone admired his uncle greatly. He also had a cousin named Madge Blake. She was a character actress. Acting truly ran in the family blood.
His parents supported his dreams. Milburn Stone left home as a teenager. He never forgot his Kansas roots.
Milburn Stone Wife and Relationships
Milburn Stone married three times. His first wife was Ellen Morrison. They married in 1925. The marriage lasted 12 years. Ellen died in 1937.
They had one daughter together. Her name was Shirley Stone Gleason. Shirley was born around 1926. She lived in Costa Mesa, California.
His second wife was Jane Garrison. They married in 1939. They divorced after only 1 year. Milburn Stone married her again in 1946. This second marriage lasted until his death. Jane died in 2002.
He was a private family man. Milburn Stone kept his home life quiet. He loved his wife Jane deeply. She stayed with him until the end.
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Milburn Stone Age, Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
His age at death was 75 years. He was born in 1904 and died in 1980. Milburn Stone looked older than his years. This helped him play the wise “Doc.”
His height was 5 feet 8 inches. This is 1.73 meters. His weight was 185 pounds. He had a sturdy and strong build. His body type was average.
His eye color was blue. His hair turned grey early. Milburn Stone had a weathered face. He looked like a real frontier doctor. He never dyed his hair for roles.
He wore a size 9 shoe. His chest size was 42 inches. His waist was 34 inches. Milburn Stone had a commanding presence. He did not need to be very tall.
Milburn Stone Before Fame
Life before fame was very hard. Milburn Stone left home at 15. He joined traveling theater groups. He performed in tent shows in Kansas.
He worked in vaudeville for years. Milburn Stone had a song-and-dance act. The act was called “Stone and Strain.” He performed comedy and music. This taught him discipline.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1935. Milburn Stone was 31 years old. He started with small film roles. Most parts were uncredited. He played clerks, sailors, and robbers.
He struggled for 20 years. Milburn Stone never gave up. He learned patience and hard work. These tough years made him ready. When Gunsmoke called, he was prepared.
Milburn Stone Career
His career began in 1919 on stage. Milburn Stone was just 15 years old. He worked in a Kansas tent show. He moved to Broadway in the 1930s. His Broadway credits include “Jayhawker” and “Around the Corner.”
He entered films in 1935. Milburn Stone appeared in “Alias Mary Dow.” He worked for Monogram Pictures. He was in the “Tailspin Tommy” adventures. He later signed with Universal Pictures in 1943.
He played small roles for decades. Milburn Stone appeared in “Young Mr. Lincoln” in 1939. He played Stephen A. Douglass. He was in “Captive Wild Woman” in 1943. He starred in the serial “The Master Key” in 1945.
Then came 1955. Milburn Stone auditioned for Gunsmoke. He demanded a residual contract forever. CBS called him “ridiculous.” He refused to back down. They agreed after 20 minutes. This was his genius move.
He played Doc Adams for 20 years. Milburn Stone appeared in 604 episodes. He missed only 7 episodes in 1971. He had heart surgery that year. Pat Hingle replaced him briefly. He returned stronger than before.
Gunsmoke ended in 1975. Milburn Stone retired to his ranch. He was 71 years old. He had acted for 56 years.
Milburn Stone Social Media Presence
Milburn Stone died before the internet age. He has no official social media. Fans run tribute pages for him.
Facebook has many Gunsmoke fan groups. They share his photos and clips. YouTube has hundreds of his scenes. Young fans discover him every day.
Instagram accounts honor his legacy. They post black and white photos. Milburn Stone would not understand TikTok. His daughter manages some online content.
His legacy lives on without social media. Milburn Stone proved true talent lasts. He is remembered through reruns and DVDs. His work speaks for itself.
Milburn Stone Net Worth and Achievements
His net worth was $2 million in 1980. This was a huge amount back then. Adjusted for 2026, it is over $8 million.
His wealth came from residuals. Milburn Stone fought for that contract. He earned money from every rerun. Gunsmoke still airs in 50 countries.
He won an Emmy Award in 1968. The category was Outstanding Supporting Actor. Milburn Stone beat many famous actors. He was very proud of this award.
He received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. The ceremony was on December 31, 1969. His star is at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard.
In 1981, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame. This happened after his death. Milburn Stone is also in the Cowboy Hall of Fame. He received an honorary doctorate in 1975. St. Mary of the Plains College gave it to him.
Milburn Stone Legacy and Impact
Milburn Stone changed television westerns forever. He showed that doctors could be heroes. His Doc Adams was grumpy but kind.
He fought for actors’ rights. His residual contract helped many others. Milburn Stone proved actors deserve fair pay. He was a pioneer behind the scenes.
The Milburn Stone Theatre exists today. It is in North East, Maryland. The theatre honors his name. Young actors perform there every year.
A painting of Doc Adams hangs in history. President Ronald Reagan saw it. Reagan was a friend of Milburn Stone. The painting went to the Oval Office.
He inspired modern actors. Milburn Stone showed that hard work wins. He never became arrogant or lazy. He is remembered as a true professional.
Milburn Stone Nationality and Religion
Milburn Stone was American. He was born in Burrton, Kansas. He held only US citizenship.
His parents were Protestant Christians. Milburn Stone attended church as a child. He did not speak much about religion publicly.
He believed in hard work and honesty. Milburn Stone respected all faiths. He was buried in a Christian ceremony. His grave is at El Camino Memorial Park.
He loved his country deeply. Milburn Stone turned down the Naval Academy. But he supported veterans his whole life. He donated to veteran charities often.
Milburn Stone Future Plans and Goals
He planned to fully retire in 1975. Milburn Stone bought a ranch in California. He wanted to raise horses and relax.
He wanted to write his autobiography. Milburn Stone never finished this book. His wife Jane kept his notes. The book remains unpublished.
He hoped to see more western films. Milburn Stone loved the genre deeply. He wanted young actors to respect westerns. He mentored several young co-stars.
Sadly, his heart gave out in 1980. Milburn Stone died before achieving all goals. But his legacy continues through his theatre. His story still inspires actors today.
Milburn Stone Awards and Achievements
Milburn Stone won 1 Primetime Emmy Award. This was in 1968 for Gunsmoke. He was nominated 2 other times.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The category is Motion Pictures. Milburn Stone received it on December 31, 1969.
He was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers. This was in 1981. The museum is in Oklahoma City.
He received an Honorary Doctorate in 1975. St. Mary of the Plains College gave this honor. Milburn Stone was very touched.
He also won a Photoplay Award. This was for most popular male star. His Emmy remains his proudest moment.
Milburn Stone Acting Style and Method
He believed in total authenticity. Milburn Stone studied real doctors. He learned medical techniques for the role.
He refused to play a fake character. On Gunsmoke, he fought with directors. Milburn Stone insisted on dirty fingernails. He wanted his costume to look worn.
He was a character actor, not a star. Milburn Stone focused on small details. He practiced his lines 100 times. He believed rehearsal was sacred.
His voice was low and gruff. Milburn Stone never shouted for effect. He used silence to create drama. Young actors learned from his patience.
Milburn Stone Gunsmoke Legacy
Gunsmoke ran for 20 seasons. It had 635 total episodes. Milburn Stone was in 604 of them. He was the second longest-running cast member. Only James Arness (Matt Dillon) did more.
The show started on radio in 1952. Milburn Stone was not on the radio version. Howard McNear played Doc on radio. McNear later played Floyd the Barber on Andy Griffith.
Milburn Stone made the role his own. He added a harder edge to Doc. He was the moral center of Dodge City. Fans loved his chemistry with Festus and Kitty.
Gunsmoke remains the longest-running live-action series. It held this record for 20 years. Milburn Stone helped create television history.
Milburn Stone Category Section
Category: Actor / Television Star
Milburn Stone Movies / TV Shows
- Gunsmoke (1955-1975) – Doc Adams (604 episodes)
- Arrowhead (1953) – Sidekick to Charlton Heston
- The Frozen Ghost (1945) – Inner Sanctum mystery
- The Master Key (1945) – Starring role as hero
- The Great Alaskan Mystery (1944) – Serial hero Jim Hudson
- Captive Wild Woman (1943) – Universal horror feature
- Gung Ho! (1943) – Dr. Blake
- Prison Mutiny (1943) – Liberal-minded warden
- Colorado (1940) – Roy Rogers’ brother-gone-wrong
- Chasing Trouble (1940) – Espionage comedy
- Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) – Stephen A. Douglass
- Blackwell’s Island (1939) – Uncredited role
- When Tomorrow Comes (1939) – Head busboy
- Mystery Plane (1939) – Skeeter Milligan
- Sky Patrol (1939) – Skeeter Milligan
- Danger Flight (1939) – Skeeter Milligan
- Federal Bullets (1937) – Heroic film lead
- They Gave Him a Gun (1937)
- The Princess Comes Across (1936)
- Banjo on My Knee (1936)
Milburn Stone Hobbies
- Raising horses on his ranch
- Painting landscapes
- Reading western novels
- Fishing in California
- Woodworking
- Watching baseball
- Playing poker with friends
- Singing barbershop quartet music
Milburn Stone Favorite Things
- Food: Steak and potatoes
- Drink: Black coffee
- Color: Brown
- Animal: Horse
- Actor: John Wayne
- Book: The Bible
- City: Dodge City, Kansas
- TV Show: Gunsmoke (radio version)
- Pastime: Ranch work
- Holiday: Thanksgiving
Milburn Stone Interesting Facts
- Milburn Stone turned down the US Naval Academy to act.
- He demanded a residual contract forever for Gunsmoke.
- CBS called his demand “ridiculous” but agreed in 20 minutes.
- He missed only 7 episodes after heart surgery in 1971.
- Milburn Stone was the nephew of Broadway star Fred Stone.
- He started acting in tent shows at age 15.
- A theatre in Maryland is named after him.
- President Reagan was a personal friend.
- He received an honorary doctorate from St. Mary of the Plains College.
- Milburn Stone is buried at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego.
FAQs
1. What was Milburn Stone’s real name?
His real name was Hugh Milburn Stone. He used Milburn Stone professionally.
2. How much was Milburn Stone worth when he died?
His net worth was $2 million in 1980. This equals about $8 million today.
3. Did Milburn Stone win any awards?
Yes, he won an Emmy Award in 1968. He also has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
4. How tall was Milburn Stone?
His height was 5 feet 8 inches. His weight was 185 pounds.
5. Did Milburn Stone have children?
Yes, he had 1 daughter. Her name was Shirley Stone Gleason.
Conclusion
Milburn Stone was a true television pioneer. His height of 5 feet 8 inches suited him perfectly. His weight of 185 lbs gave him a sturdy look. His age of 75 marked a full life. His family remained close until the end.
His net worth of $2 million was hard-earned. He fought for fair pay in Hollywood. Milburn Stone played Doc Adams for 20 years. He appeared in 604 episodes of Gunsmoke. His legacy lives on through reruns.
Milburn Stone inspired generations of actors. He proved that character actors matter most. He never forgot his Kansas roots. Milburn Stone is buried in San Diego. His star shines forever on the Walk of Fame. He is truly a western legend.
