Lance Kerwin was a popular American actor who rose to fame in the 1970s with his roles in television and film. He starred in the TV series James at 15, and the TV movies The Loneliest Runner and Salem’s Lot. He also appeared in other shows and films such as Little House on the Prairie, Shazam!, Enemy Mine, and Outbreak. But how much was his net worth at the time of his death in 2023? And what happened to his life and career after his heyday? Here is a look at Lance Kerwin’s net worth, legacy, and personal struggles.
Lance Kerwin’s Early Life and Career
Lance Michael Kerwin was born on November 6, 1960, in Newport Beach, California. His father, Don Kerwin, was an acting coach who brought home scripts for his son to read. His mother, Lois, was also a performer and later, a talent agent. He was the youngest of five brothers. His brother Shane often served as his stand-in.
Lance Kerwin started acting at a young age and landed his first role in the TV series Emergency! in 1973. He then appeared in several TV movies and series throughout the 1970s, such as The Healers, The Greatest Gift, Reflections of Murder, The Meanest Men in the West, Family Affair, The Bionic Woman, and Quincy M.E.
He gained recognition for his lead role as James Hunter in the TV series James at 15, which aired from 1977 to 1978. The show followed the life of a teenage boy who moved from Oregon to Boston with his family. The show dealt with various issues such as sexuality, drugs, peer pressure, and family conflicts. Lance Kerwin received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
He also played memorable roles in the TV movies The Loneliest Runner (1976) and Salem’s Lot (1979). The former was based on the childhood experiences of Michael Landon, who also directed and produced the film. Lance Kerwin played John Curtis, a bedwetter who became a champion runner. The latter was based on the novel by Stephen King and featured Lance Kerwin as Mark Petrie, a young boy who fought against a vampire invasion.
Lance Kerwin’s Net Worth and Later Career
According to various sources, Lance Kerwin had an estimated net worth between $1 million and $14 million at the time of his death. His acting career was his main source of income, but he also had some properties on the mainland that he did not report to the authorities.
Lance Kerwin continued to act in the 1980s and 1990s, but with less frequency and success. He co-starred in the TV movie The Snow Queen (1985), based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. He also had supporting roles in the films Enemy Mine (1985) and Outbreak (1995). His last acting role was in The Wind & the Reckoning (2022), filmed in Hawaii.
Lance Kerwin’s Personal Life and Death
Lance Kerwin had a turbulent personal life that was marked by drug abuse and legal troubles. He started smoking pot before age 10 and did crack in his 20s. He was arrested for possession of crack cocaine in San Francisco in 1989, but the charges were dropped when it turned out to be baking soda.
He only became clean and sober in the 90s through his religious beliefs. He became a pastor at Calvary Chapel in Kapaa, Hawaii and a program leader at U-Turn for Christ, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization.
He married twice and had five children. His first wife was Kristen Lansdale, with whom he had a daughter named Savanah Paige. His second wife was Yvonne Kerwin, with whom he had four children: Fox, Terah, Savanah Kailani, and Justus.
In July 2010, he and his wife Yvonne pled guilty to falsifying documents to obtain state medical assistance and food stamps in Hawaii. They neglected to mention that he owned three properties on the mainland. He was sentenced to five years probation and 300 hours of community service. He publicly apologized for his actions.
According to the autopsy report, Lance Kerwin died at the Oceana Boutique Hotel in San Clemente, California on January 24, 2023 at the age of 62 of multiple drug overdose, including fentanyl, amphetamine, methamphetamine and morphine.
Lance Kerwin’s Legacy
Lance Kerwin was one of America’s leading boy actors of the late Seventies who portrayed anguished characters facing difficult challenges. He touched many viewers with his sensitivity and talent. He also inspired some of his co-stars, such as David Soul, who played the vampire hunter Ben Mears in Salem’s Lot. Soul said that Lance Kerwin was “one of the finest young actors I ever worked with”.
Lance Kerwin’s death was mourned by his fans and friends, who remembered him as a kind and generous person who had a troubled life. His daughter Savanah announced his death on Facebook and wrote: “He was a good man with a big heart. He loved his family and friends. He had a passion for helping others and sharing the gospel. He was my dad and I will miss him dearly”.
Lance Kerwin’s net worth may not reflect his true value as an actor and a human being. He left behind a legacy of memorable roles, a loving family, and a message of hope and redemption.