Paula Prentiss Net Worth (2023): How Did This Actress Become A Millionaire?

Paula Prentiss is one of the most famous and prominent American actresses from the movie “Where the Boys Are”, and has an estimated net worth of $8 million. Her first movie hit such a massive response that she got hundreds of movie offers and built up a successful career in American Film history.
Full name | Paula Prentiss |
Net worth | $8 Million |
Source of wealth | Acting |
Gender | Female |
Age | 84 Years |
Birth date | March 4th, 1934 |
Birthplace | Texas, United States |
Spouse | Richard Benjamin |
Nationality | American |
Besides Paula Prentiss’s net worth, let’s dig into more interesting and detailed facts about this movie actress.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Paula Prentiss?
- Paula Prentiss Career and Sources of Income
- Paula Prentiss At A Glance
- Paula Prentiss’s Early Life and Biography
- Rise to Fame
- Top 5 Movies Paula Prentiss Acted On
- Paula Prentiss Spouse and Personal Life
- Award And Achievement
- Paula Prentiss’s Social Profiles
- What is Paula Prentiss’s legacy in the entertainment industry?
- What are some of Paula Prentiss’s most famous roles?
- What was Paula Prentiss’s first film?
- How did Paula Prentiss’s acting career evolve over time?
- What kind of roles did Paula Prentiss typically play?
- How did Paula Prentiss get her start in acting?
- What are some interesting facts about Paula Prentiss’s life and career?
- What has Paula Prentiss said about her experience working in Hollywood?
- What is Paula Prentiss doing now?
- Life Lesson From Paula Prentiss
- Summary Of Paula Prentiss’s Net Worth
Who Is Paula Prentiss?
Paula Prentiss is an American actress known for her work in film and television. She rose to fame in the 1960s and 70s for her comedic timing and vivacious personality, and she remains a beloved figure in Hollywood.
Paula Prentiss Career and Sources of Income
Paula started her career as an actress and her role was named Tuggle in her first film “Where the boys are” which was the talk of the town in the ’60s era.
Paula never needed to look back after her first film and she got numerous movie offers which made her one of the most demanding actresses in America.
As her first film with co-star, Jim Hutton got a huge response MGM signed them for the next 3 films that were the favorites list of people for the following decades.
In 1963 she started working out of MGM and signed “Man’s Favorite Sports”. This brought her immense success and opportunities worldwide. She also joins stage shows like “As you Like it” in Central Park, New York.
Paula had done 37 movies and a couple of stages shows in her entire career and made a net worth of $8 Million and people still remember her works in Hollywood.
Paula Prentiss At A Glance
- Paula Started her career as a comedy film actress.
- Paula started a production house in 1969 which wasn’t successful.
- Paula didn’t show up in any feature film for 30 years and had a comeback in 2016.
Paula Prentiss’s Early Life and Biography

Prentiss was born on March 4th, 1934 in Texas, in San Antonio. Her parents Pauline and Thomas were Sicilian descendants and Paula was raised as Roman Catholic. Her father was a Social Science professor and her sister was an American actress.
Paula was known as the tallest girl in the class as she grew 5’10” in high school and was also the tallest actress of her generation. She was an active student at Lamar High School in San Antonio.
Then she studied drama and cinematography at Northwestern University with her future husband Richard Benjamin.
They both got the attention of MGM for their height and talent and got film offers continuously.
Rise to Fame
In the early 1960s, Prentiss became one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood, known for her comedic timing and vivacious personality. Some of her most famous roles were in films like “Where the Boys Are,” “The Honeymoon Machine,” and “The World of Henry Orient.”
Paula Prentis was also known for her work in television, appearing in shows like “The Love Boat,” “The Colbys,” and “Diagnosis: Murder.” She was a frequent guest on talk shows and game shows, showcasing her wit and charm to audiences around the world.
Top 5 Movies Paula Prentiss Acted On
Here’s a list of the top 5 movies Paula Prentiss acted in an order by popularity-
- “Where the Boys Are” (1960)
- “The Stepford Wives” (1975)
- “The Honeymoon Machine” (1961)
- “Man’s Favorite Sport?” (1964)
- “The Black Marble” (1980)
Paula Prentiss Spouse and Personal Life

Paula Prentiss was Married to her University life best friend and partner Richard Benjamin who is one of the most successful directors as well as an actor. They have two children together.
She has been married to actor Richard Benjamin since 1961. The couple first met on the set of the film “Saturday Island” in 1952 when Prentiss was just 18 years old. They got married nine years later and have been together ever since. Benjamin and Prentiss have two children together, Ross and Prentiss, who have also pursued careers in the entertainment industry.
In her personal life, Prentiss has been known to be a private person. She rarely gives interviews and prefers to keep her personal life out of the public eye. However, she has spoken openly about her struggles with anxiety and depression.
In an interview with The New York Times, she revealed that she had suffered from panic attacks for many years and that it was her husband, Richard Benjamin, who helped her get the help she needed to overcome them. Despite her personal struggles, Prentiss has had a successful career in Hollywood and remains a beloved figure in the industry.
Award And Achievement
Paula and her husband Richard Benjamin both received the most honorable award of film festivals, the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award. Paula was also honored with the Primetime Emmys Award for her Comedy series.
Paula Prentiss’s Social Profiles
Paula Prentiss has a Facebook profile but she doesn’t seem to be active on it. She is more active on her Instagram profile and Twitter accounts. She claims that she is not much comfortable with social media profiles.
What is Paula Prentiss’s legacy in the entertainment industry?
Paula Prentiss’s legacy in the entertainment industry is as a trailblazer for women in Hollywood. She was a talented actress who was unafraid to speak her mind and advocate for gender equality. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of actors and actresses.
What are some of Paula Prentiss’s most famous roles?
Some of Paula Prentiss’s most famous roles include Tuggle Carpenter in “Where the Boys Are,” Lt. Molly Sherman in “The Honeymoon Machine,” and Valerie Boyd in “The Stepford Wives.”
What was Paula Prentiss’s first film?
Paula Prentiss’s first film was “Tall Story,” which was released in 1960. She starred opposite Anthony Perkins in the film.
Did Paula Prentiss ever work with her husband, Richard Benjamin? Yes, Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin worked together on several projects, including the films “Catch-22” and “Saturday the 14th.”
How did Paula Prentiss’s acting career evolve over time?
Paula Prentiss’s acting career evolved over time as she took on a wider range of roles. She started out in comedic roles and then transitioned to more dramatic roles later in her career.
What kind of roles did Paula Prentiss typically play?
Paula Prentiss typically played strong, independent women who were unafraid to speak their minds. She was known for her comedic timing and her ability to bring warmth and humanity to her characters.
How did Paula Prentiss get her start in acting?
Paula Prentiss got her start in acting in New York City, where she performed in off-Broadway productions and regional theater. She then transitioned to film and television, making her film debut in 1960.
What are some interesting facts about Paula Prentiss’s life and career?
Some interesting facts about Paula Prentiss’s life and career include that she was a talented singer and dancer, she was a devoted animal rights activist, and she was married to fellow actor Richard Benjamin for over 50 years.
What has Paula Prentiss said about her experience working in Hollywood?
Paula Prentiss was known for being candid about her experience working in Hollywood. She spoke out about the sexism and ageism she experienced in the industry and was an advocate for gender equality.
What is Paula Prentiss doing now?
It is not clear what Paula Prentiss is currently doing as she has largely retired from acting.
Her last credited role was in the 2000 film “The Intern,” and she has not appeared in any major film or TV projects since then. Paula is now 83 years old and is likely enjoying her retirement.
Life Lesson From Paula Prentiss
One ingredient of Paula Prentiss’s inspiring career is her dedication and hard work in pursuing her passion for acting. Despite facing initial criticism for her unconventional looks and tall stature, she continued to work hard and landed roles in successful films and TV shows, such as “Where the Boys Are” and “The Stepford Wives.”
Another ingredient is her ability to balance her personal and professional life. She chose to marry Richard Benjamin and start a family, but still pursued her acting career with determination and success.
Furthermore, her ability to adapt and evolve in the industry also made her an inspiring figure. She successfully transitioned from comedic roles to dramatic roles, showcasing her range as an actress and expanding her audience.
Lastly, her resilience in overcoming personal setbacks, such as her battle with breast cancer, also made her a source of inspiration for many people.
Overall, Paula Prentiss’s inspiring career can be attributed to her hard work, dedication, ability to balance a personal and professional life, adaptability, and resilience in overcoming challenges.
Summary Of Paula Prentiss’s Net Worth
Paula Prentiss came to the industry with immense knowledge about acting and attained professional degrees which made her successful from the beginning of her career. And now worthing $8 Millon after her mindblowing journey in Hollywood.
FAQs
Are Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin still married?
Yes, Paula and Richard got married in 1961 and they are still together. This couple has 2 children.
Does Paula Prentiss have a daughter?
Yes, Paula and Richard have a daughter. Her name is Prentiss Benjamin. She is a grown-up woman now.
How Tall is Paula Prentiss?
Paula Prentiss is 1.78 m (5’10”) tall. People knew her as the tallest girl in the class and also the taller model of that era.
What is Paula Prentiss’s net worth?
Paula Prentiss’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million.
When was Paula Prentiss born?
Paula Prentiss was born on March 4, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas.
Is Paula Prentiss still alive?
Yes, Paula Prentiss is still alive.
Was Paula Prentiss ever nominated for an Academy Award?
No, Paula Prentiss was never nominated for an Academy Award. However, she did receive a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in “The World of Henry Orient.”
Was Paula Prentiss in the out-of-towners?
Yes, Paula Prentiss starred in the 1970 film “The Out-of-Towners” alongside Jack Lemmon.
Who is Ann Prentiss?
Ann Prentiss and Paula Prentiss were sisters and both were successful American actresses. They were close, and Ann played a role in getting Paula into acting. Ann passed away in 2010, while Paula is still alive.