When people search for “Richard Cromwell net worth,” “who is Richard Cromwell,” “Richard Cromwell age,” or “Richard Cromwell cause of death,” they’re actually encountering two very different stories under one name. One is a Hollywood actor from the early 20th century, and the other is a historical figure from 17th‑century England. Both lived lives that fascinate history lovers and pop culture fans, but their backgrounds, families, careers, and even what we can say about their wealth are very different.
Let’s unpack both stories in a way that’s clear, friendly, and useful for readers exploring Richard Cromwell from all angles.
Richard Cromwell: Profile & Key Facts
| Attribute | Richard Cromwell (Actor) | Richard Cromwell (Lord Protector) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | LeRoy Melvin Radabaugh | Richard Cromwell |
| Known As | Richard Cromwell | Richard Cromwell |
| Birth | January 8, 1910, Long Beach, California, USA | October 4, 1626, Huntingdon, England |
| Death | October 11, 1960 (age 50) | July 12, 1712 (age 85) |
| Cause of Death | Liver cancer | Natural causes (old age) |
| Occupation | Actor, Artist, Ceramicist | Politician, Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland |
| Famous For | Tol’able David, The Lives of a Bengal Lancer, Jezebel, Young Mr. Lincoln | Succeeding Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector (1658–1659) |
| Parents | Roy Ralph Radabaugh & Euphamia “Fay” Belle Stocking | Oliver Cromwell & Elizabeth Bourchier |
| Siblings | Sister: Opal Radabaugh Putnam | Several brothers and sisters |
| Spouse | Angela Lansbury (m. 1945 – div. 1946) | Dorothy Maijor (m. 1649) |
| Children | None documented | At least five survived to adulthood |
| Net Worth | Unverified; some speculative estimates exist | No verifiable modern equivalent; estates and land holdings only |
| Notable Connections | Angela Lansbury | Oliver Cromwell (father), distant relation to Thomas Cromwell |
| Interesting Fact | Also a successful ceramicist and artist | Nicknamed “Tumbledown Dick” for short tenure as Lord Protector |
Two Richard Cromwells: Actor and Lord Protector
The Hollywood Actor: Richard Cromwell (1910–1960)
When most modern audiences search for “Richard Cromwell,” they’re often thinking of the actor who appeared in Hollywood films during the 1930s and early 1940s.
Early Life and Family
Born LeRoy Melvin Radabaugh on January 8, 1910, in Long Beach, California, this Richard Cromwell was one of several children in a hardworking middle‑class family. His father died when he was young, which pushed him early into jobs to help support the household — delivering newspapers, doing odd jobs, and working part‑time while he found his passion for art and performance.
He later studied at the Chouinard Art Institute and even ran a studio in Hollywood, making lampshades, murals, and creative arts pieces before fully settling into acting.
Rise in Hollywood
Cromwell’s career took off in the early days of sound films — that is, movies with synchronized dialogue — which was a big transition era in Hollywood. He was often cast as the earnest young male lead or “gentle hero,” sharing the screen with some of the biggest stars of the time.
Some of his notable movies include:
- Tol’able David (1930)
- The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935)
- Jezebel (1938)
- Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
These films helped establish his reputation as a reliable and sympathetic presence on screen — the sort of actor who, in modern terms, might be compared to the dependable supporting leads so many fans recognize today.
Personal Life and Family
Cromwell’s personal life drew attention chiefly because of his marriage to actress Angela Lansbury. They married in September 1945 when she was still in her teens and he was in his mid‑30s. The marriage ended less than a year later in divorce, but the two remained friendly afterwards. Lansbury later spoke about the marriage openly, acknowledging that it was brief and that both learned from it.
There’s no record of Cromwell having children. His immediate family included several siblings, and he also remained close with extended family members who preserved memorabilia from his film and art career after his death.
Career Arc and Later Years
After starring in dozens of films in the 1930s and early 1940s, Richard Cromwell’s acting career began to decline. By the late 1940s, he appeared in far fewer films, with Bungalow 13 (1948) among his last credited roles.
His creative life continued beyond acting — he was an accomplished ceramicist and artist, known to friends and collectors alike for his work outside of film.
Richard Cromwell’s Age and Cause of Death
Cromwell died on October 11, 1960 at the age of 50. The cause of death was liver cancer, a serious disease that cut his life and career short.
What About “Richard Cromwell Net Worth”?
Direct information about the actor’s net worth is not available from verified financial records. Unlike today’s celebrity culture where earnings and estates are tracked, actors from early Hollywood often didn’t have public disclosures of lifetime earnings or assets.
There are speculative online estimates that place his lifetime earnings or legacy value in the lower millions, but these figures are not based on confirmed tax records or official statements. When considering wealth from any era, it helps to think of net worth like a snapshot: it’s a figure that tries to capture assets minus liabilities at a given time. For many historical figures, especially pre‑internet actors, that information simply doesn’t exist in a reliable form.
So while some fan sites might offer numbers, any “Richard Cromwell net worth” figure should be treated as unverified speculation, not a hard fact.
The Other Richard Cromwell (1626–1712): A Life in English History
Now let’s switch centuries and continents. Long before Hollywood, there was Richard Cromwell the English statesman — the son of one of England’s most powerful figures.
Family Background
This Richard was born on October 4, 1626 into a large family as the son of Oliver Cromwell and Elizabeth Bourchier. His father rose to become one of the most influential political leaders in British history, leading Parliament’s army during civil war and later becoming Lord Protector — a role similar to head of state.
The Cromwell family of this era was connected by bloodlines and alliances that reached into the highest tiers of English politics and influence. Richard had several siblings, including brothers and sisters who each played different roles in the tumultuous politics of 17th‑century England.
Lord Protector
Richard succeeded his father as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland in September 1658, but his time in power lasted less than a year before political forces pushed him to resign in May 1659. His leadership was overshadowed by the army and Parliament factions that didn’t fully support him.
Compared to his father, who wielded authority during a civil war and governance period, Richard’s tenure was more fragile — akin to a successor who inherits position but not the same influence or network of followers. Historical records show he grappled with conflicting interests and pressures from the army and legislature.
Personal Life and Family
Richard Cromwell married Dorothy Maijor in 1649, and the couple had multiple children together. Records indicate at least five children survived into adulthood, though family life was intertwined with the era’s turbulence.
Historians also note siblings in his family and the broader Cromwell clan, all of whom were tied into England’s civil and political affairs. This English Richard’s life was shaped not just by his own choices but by the expectations and legacy of his father’s rule.
Later Life and Death
After resigning from leadership, Richard lived in relative obscurity for several years. He spent time abroad to escape creditors and political backlash, and later returned to England to live out his remaining decades quietly. He died on July 12, 1712, at 85 years old — a long life by the standards of his time.
Net Worth and Wealth
For historical figures like this Richard Cromwell, modern concepts of net worth don’t translate neatly. There were land holdings, titles, and estates, but no publicly recorded liquid assets or formal personal financial statements. It’s common in historical research to talk about influence, property, and status rather than exact wealth.
Occasionally you’ll find casual estimates online — for example, listings that suggest he was worth around several million in today’s money — but these are not grounded in documented financial archives and should be taken as speculative at best.
Connections and Confusions: Thomas Cromwell and Wolf Hall
A common point of confusion for readers involves Thomas Cromwell, another historical figure popularized by books and TV series like Wolf Hall.
Who Was Thomas Cromwell?
Thomas Cromwell lived in the early 1500s and served as a chief minister to King Henry VIII. His life and climb to power are the subject of Wolf Hall, a dramatic retelling of Tudor politics that brought him into mainstream awareness again. His connection to the 17th‑century Richard Cromwell is distant — based on broader family lineage and shared surname — not direct father‑son relations.
Stories about Wolf Hall often refer to members of the extended Cromwell family, and some dramatic adaptations may feature a character named Richard Cromwell. For instance, a recent television production included a character with that name in the cast list, but this doesn’t reflect the historical Richard Cromwell the actor or the Lord Protector in full documentary detail.
So if you’re seeing “Richard Cromwell” in the context of Wolf Hall, it’s usually part of a fictionalized portrayal or a minor family link in a much larger story.
What We Actually Know About Richard Cromwell’s Net Worth
It’s tempting to want a precise number behind searches like “Richard Cromwell net worth,” but here’s the honest reality:
- The actor Richard Cromwell — like many performers from early Hollywood — did not have publicly documented financial statements, and any online figures are generally estimates or guesses, not verified records.
- The Lord Protector Richard Cromwell lived centuries before modern financial accounting, so there’s no real way to calculate a traditional net worth figure.
In cases like this, where data is sketchy or missing, writers and analysts should stick to what’s well documented — such as career milestones, family ties, and historical impact — rather than presenting unverified financial figures. If you want to explore what someone owned in terms of property or status, that’s valid context. What’s not verifiable — like a specific net worth number — should be labeled as speculative.
A Quick Look at Richard Cromwell’s Family and Personal Relations
PersonRelation to RichardNotesActor Richard—Married Angela Lansbury briefly, no kids, several siblings like sister Opal. English RichardSon of Oliver CromwellMarried Dorothy Maijor, had multiple children. Thomas CromwellDistant ancestral connectionEarlier historical figure, included in Wolf Hall narratives.
Conclusion: Two Stories, One Name
Richard Cromwell is a name that can lead people down very different historical paths — from early Hollywood fame to the turbulent politics of 17th‑century Britain. Whether you’re curious about the actor’s roles and relationships, or the English Lord Protector’s brief rule and family ties, keeping the facts clear helps separate legend from reality.
When considering things like net worth or family history, it’s important to ask: what’s documented, and what’s speculation? For both Richard Cromwells, solid information exists on life events, careers, and relationships. Hard financial figures? Not so much — and that in itself is an interesting part of how history and celebrity culture have changed over time.
For readers on trendlynews who love history, classic film, or the threads that connect names across centuries, Richard Cromwell offers a fascinating pair of stories worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Richard Cromwell
1. Who was Richard Cromwell?
Richard Cromwell refers to two notable people: an American actor (1910–1960) known for Hollywood films in the 1930s–40s, and the English statesman (1626–1712), son of Oliver Cromwell who briefly served as Lord Protector of England.
2. How old was Richard Cromwell when he died?
- The actor died at age 50 in 1960 from liver cancer.
- The English Lord Protector lived a long life and died at 85 in 1712.
3. Was Richard Cromwell married and did he have children?
- The actor was married to Angela Lansbury from 1945 to 1946; they had no children.
- The English statesman married Dorothy Maijor and had several children, with at least five surviving to adulthood.
4. What is known about Richard Cromwell’s net worth?
There are no verified records of the actor’s net worth, though some sources speculate it might have been modestly in the millions. The Lord Protector’s wealth consisted of lands and estates, but there’s no modern equivalent of his net worth.
5. How is Richard Cromwell connected to Thomas Cromwell and Wolf Hall?
Thomas Cromwell lived in the 1500s and is the main historical figure in Wolf Hall. The English Richard Cromwell was a distant relation by family lineage, but the actor has no connection to Thomas Cromwell or the Wolf Hall story.
