Bobby Troup Net Worth: The $5 Million Legacy of the Man Who Wrote Route 66

Bobby Troup was a man of many talents, an actor, jazz pianist, singer, and songwriter who left an indelible mark on American popular culture. While he is best known as the composer of the iconic rhythm and blues standard “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” his career spanned five decades and included roles in film, television, and music that made him a beloved figure in Hollywood.

Bobby Troup’s net worth at the time of his death in 1999 was estimated to be approximately $5 million. This figure reflects his decades-long career as a songwriter, actor, and performer, including the enduring royalties from his most famous composition, which has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Robert William Troup Jr.
Date of Birth	October 18, 1918
Date of Death	February 7, 1999
Age at Death	80 years old
Place of Birth	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Nationality	American
Profession	Actor, Jazz Pianist, Singer, Songwriter
Years Active	1941–1995
Notable Works	“(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” Emergency!, The Gene Krupa Story
Spouses	Cynthia Hare (m. 1942; div. 1955), Julie London (m. 1959)
Children	5, including Ronne Troup
Net Worth (1999)	Estimated $5 million

Who Was Bobby Troup?

Robert William Troup Jr. was an American actor, jazz pianist, singer, and songwriter who achieved fame in multiple entertainment fields. He is best known as the composer of the rhythm and blues standard “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” which became a hit for Nat King Cole in 1946 and has since been recorded by The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Depeche Mode, and hundreds of other artists.

Troup also enjoyed a successful acting career, most notably portraying Dr. Joe Early alongside his wife, singer and actress Julie London, in the popular 1970s television series Emergency!. His career spanned over five decades, from his first songwriting success in 1941 to his final television appearances in the mid-1990s.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

A Musical Family

Bobby Troup was born Robert William Troup Jr. on October 18, 1918, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was born into a musical family, his father, Robert William Troup, worked as a pianist for the family business, J. H. Troup Music House, and founded its Lancaster, Pennsylvania branch store.

Young Troup learned to play most of the instruments sold in the store but had the greatest affinity for the piano. His proficiency blossomed while attending the University of Pennsylvania, where he was active in the annual Mask & Wig productions. He composed “Daisy Mae” for the 1938 Mask & Wig production “All Around the Town.”

The First Hit: “Daddy”

Troup was encouraged by the praise and acceptance of his initial foray into composing. According to Jazz Research, he wrote several other songs, “She’s Got A Rep for Being Hep,” “Ambler the Gambler,” and “This Has Been A Lonely Day”, while attending Penn.

Sammy Kaye heard “Daisy Mae” and offered to record and publish the tune through Kaye’s new venture, Republic Music Corporation. The offer included changing the tune’s title to “Daddy.” The Sammy Kaye version catapulted to the top of the hit list, where it stayed for weeks. The Harry James and Glenn Miller orchestras recorded versions for Columbia and RCA Victor, respectively. “Daddy” was played by the Miller orchestra regularly on the Chesterfield Show broadcasts.

The success of “Daddy” cemented Troup’s career path as a songwriter. Troup estimated that his royalties during 1941 would fall between $10,000 and $12,000, a startling amount for a fledgling composer at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that would be approximately $200,000 to $240,000 in today’s dollars.

Military Service and the Birth of Route 66

Service in the Marines

Troup’s songwriting career was interrupted by service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He kept his musical chops in shape at Montford Point by forming the first African-American band of U.S. Marines. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he wrote “Take Me Away from Jacksonville.” He composed “Saipan” while stationed on the island during his military service.

The Inspiration for Route 66

Troup returned to Lancaster after he was discharged from the Marines. His songwriting career resumed as he and his new bride, Cynthia Hare, drove west to California in their new Buick. Cynthia suggested that he compose a song about the highway they were driving after leaving Lancaster, Interstate 40. Troup replied that they would soon leave 40, as Route 66 would carry them all the way from Chicago to LA.

Cynthia related in her autobiography, Once I Was A Debutante, that she was not a lyric writer but began coming up with words to rhyme with six: six, mix, picks, kicks, and came up with “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” “Get your kicks” was a very hip expression in the 1940s. Bobby liked it, and his subconscious worked on the tune as they continued their way to California.

The Songwriting Career

Route 66: A Global Phenomenon

In 1946, Nat King Cole had a hit with Troup’s most popular song, “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” The song became an instant classic and has since been recorded by Chuck Berry (1961), The Rolling Stones (1964), Depeche Mode (1987), and hundreds of other artists.

The song’s enduring popularity has made it one of the most recognizable American standards of all time. It has been featured in countless films, television shows, and commercials, and it continues to generate substantial royalties for the Troup estate.

Other Compositions

While Route 66 remains his most famous composition, Troup wrote many other songs throughout his career. He composed “The Girl Can’t Help It,” the title tune to the 1956 rock and roll film The Girl Can’t Help It, which Little Richard made famous. He also wrote “Girl Talk” and “The Meaning of the Blues” for his wife, Julie London.

Acting Career

Early Film Roles

While he relied on songwriting royalties, Troup worked as an actor, appearing in Bop Girl Goes Calypso (1957), The High Cost of Loving (1958), and The Gene Krupa Story (1959), in which he played Tommy Dorsey.

Emergency! and Television Success

Troup’s most famous acting role came in the 1970s when he was cast as Dr. Joe Early in the hit television series Emergency!. He appeared alongside his wife, Julie London, who played Nurse Dixie McCall. The show ran from 1972 to 1979 and became a cultural phenomenon, introducing Troup to a new generation of fans.

Both Troup and London guest-starred as “Emergency” personnel on an episode of Adam-12. In 1979, Troup played the part of Sam Gill in the TV miniseries The Rebels.

Guest Appearances

Throughout his career, Troup made guest appearances on numerous television shows, including Mannix, The Name of the Game, and The Rockford Files. He retired from acting in 1995.

Bobby Troup Net Worth: How He Built His Fortune

Bobby Troup’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be approximately $5 million. This wealth was accumulated through a combination of songwriting royalties, acting salaries, and his music career.

Sources of Wealth

Songwriting Royalties – Troup’s most significant source of income was the royalties from “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” The song has been recorded by hundreds of artists and continues to generate income through radio play, streaming, and licensing for films and commercials.
Acting Salaries – Troup earned a steady income from his role on Emergency!, which ran for seven seasons from 1972 to 1979. He also appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career.
Music Career – As a jazz pianist and singer, Troup released several albums and performed live, generating additional income.
Other Songwriting – Troup wrote many other songs, including “The Girl Can’t Help It” and “Girl Talk,” which added to his royalty income.
Publishing Rights – Troup’s publishing rights for his songs, particularly Route 66, have continued to generate income for his estate.

Annual Income

At the peak of his career, Troup earned a comfortable living from his various endeavors. While his exact annual income is not publicly documented, his songwriting royalties alone from Route 66 provided a steady stream of income throughout his lifetime.

Personal Life

Marriages and Children

Bobby Troup was married twice. He married Cynthia Hare in May 1942. They had two daughters, Cynnie Troup (born 1943) and Ronne Troup (born 1945), both of whom had careers in entertainment. The couple divorced in 1955.

Troup remarried in 1959, this time to singer and actress Julie London, who had previously been married to actor Jack Webb. The couple had three children together. Troup and London remained married until his death in 1999. His daughter Ronne Troup became an actress, known for her role in Emergency! alongside her father.

Death

Bobby Troup died on February 7, 1999, at the age of 80, at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles from a heart attack.

Interesting Facts About Bobby Troup

Bobby Troup was born on October 18, 1918, and died on February 7, 1999, at the age of 80.
He wrote the iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” in 1946, which became a hit for Nat King Cole.
The song has been recorded by hundreds of artists, including The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, and Depeche Mode.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and formed the first African-American band of U.S. Marines at Montford Point.
He was married to singer and actress Julie London from 1959 until his death.
He played Dr. Joe Early on the hit television series Emergency! alongside his wife, Julie London.
His first hit song, “Daddy,” earned him between $10,000 and $12,000 in royalties in 1941.
He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
He wrote the title tune “The Girl Can’t Help It” for the 1956 film of the same name, made famous by Little Richard.
He appeared in over 30 films and television shows throughout his career.
He was a jazz pianist who performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in music.
He had five children, including actresses Cynnie Troup and Ronne Troup.
He bought a 1941 Buick with his first royalty check from his song “Daddy.”
He and his first wife, Cynthia, wrote part of Route 66 while driving across the country.
He retired from acting in 1995 at the age of 77.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Bobby Troup’s net worth?

Bobby Troup’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be approximately $5 million.

How old was Bobby Troup when he died?

Bobby Troup was 80 years old when he died on February 7, 1999. He was born on October 18, 1918.

What is Bobby Troup famous for?

Bobby Troup is best known for writing the iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” and for his role as Dr. Joe early on the television series Emergency!.

Who was Bobby Troup married to?

Bobby Troup was married to Cynthia Hare from 1942 to 1955, and then to singer and actress Julie London from 1959 until his death in 1999.

Did Bobby Troup serve in the military?

Yes, Bobby Troup served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He formed the first African-American band of U.S. Marines at Montford Point.

What other songs did Bobby Troup write?

Bobby Troup wrote several other songs, including “The Girl Can’t Help It,” made famous by Little Richard, and “Girl Talk” and “The Meaning of the Blues” for his wife, Julie London.

Did Bobby Troup appear in any movies?

Yes, Bobby Troup appeared in films including Bop Girl Goes Calypso (1957), The High Cost of Loving (1958), and The Gene Krupa Story (1959), in which he played Tommy Dorsey.

Was Bobby Troup a jazz musician?

Yes, Bobby Troup was a jazz pianist and singer. He performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and popular music.

Where was Bobby Troup born?

Bobby Troup was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Is Bobby Troup in any hall of fame?

Bobby Troup was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984.

Conclusion

Bobby Troup’s journey from a young musician in Pennsylvania to a Hollywood icon is a testament to his talent, versatility, and enduring legacy. With an estimated net worth of $5 million at the time of his death, he achieved financial success through his songwriting, acting, and music career. But his true legacy lies in the music he created, particularly the timeless classic “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” which continues to captivate audiences around the world.

His influence extends far beyond his most famous song. As an actor, he brought warmth and authenticity to the role of Dr. Joe Early on Emergency!, creating a character that resonated with millions of viewers. As a jazz pianist and singer, he contributed to the rich tapestry of American music. And as a husband and father, he built a family that carried on his creative spirit.

Bobby Troup’s life was a testament to the power of creativity and perseverance. He proved that with talent and determination, it is possible to leave an indelible mark on the world. His song “Route 66” has become more than just a piece of music, it is a cultural touchstone, a symbol of the open road, and a reminder of the American spirit of adventure.

Bobby Troup was not just a songwriter or an actor; he was a storyteller, a musician, and a cultural icon whose work will continue to inspire generations to come.

Bobby Troup Net Worth: $5M Legacy of Route 66 Songwriter