Michael Nesmith Biography: Net Worth, Children, Cause of Death, Songs, Music Group, Age, Movies, Family

Michael Nesmith, born Robert Michael Nesmith, gained prominence in the 1960s as a member of the Monkees, a pop-rock band formed for the television series of the same name.

Known for his signature wool hat and laid-back demeanor, Nesmith stood out not only as a performer but also as a talented songwriter.

His contributions to the Monkees included hits like “Mary, Mary” and “Listen to the Band.” Beyond his work with the group, Nesmith pioneered country rock with the First National Band and played a significant role in the development of music videos, laying the groundwork for MTV.

Profile

• Full name: Robert Michael Nesmith
• Nickname: Nez, Wool Hat
• Date of birth: December 30, 1942
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Houston, Texas, USA
• State of origin: Texas
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Warren Audrey Nesmith (father), Bette Claire McMurray (mother)
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Phyllis Ann Barbour (1964–1972), Kathryn Bild (1976–1988), Victoria Kennedy (2000–2011)
• Children: Christian Nesmith, Jonathan Nesmith, Jessica Nesmith, Jason Nesmith
• Relationship status: Single at time of death
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Net worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Michael Nesmith was born on December 30, 1942, in Houston, Texas, to Warren Audrey Nesmith and Bette Claire McMurray. His parents divorced when he was four, and he moved with his mother to Dallas to be closer to her family.

Nesmith‘s mother, Bette, worked as an executive secretary and later invented Liquid Paper, a correction fluid that revolutionized typing and brought significant wealth to the family.

Nesmith attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas but left before graduating. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1960, where he completed his GED and served as an aircraft mechanic until his honorable discharge in 1962. Afterward, he enrolled at San Antonio College, where he began performing music and developing his songwriting skills.

Personal Life

Nesmith‘s personal life was marked by three marriages and four children. He married his first wife, Phyllis Ann Barbour, in 1964, and they had three children together: Christian, Jonathan, and Jessica.

The couple divorced in 1972. During his marriage to Phyllis, Nesmith had a son named Jason with Nurit Wilde, whom he met while working on the Monkees.

In 1976, Nesmith married Kathryn Bild, a relationship that lasted until their divorce in 1988. His third marriage was to Victoria Kennedy in 2000, which ended in divorce in 2011.

Career

Nesmith‘s career began in the mid-1960s when he moved to Los Angeles and recorded under the name Michael Blessing. His big break came in 1965 when he was cast as the guitarist for the Monkees, a band formed for a television series inspired by the Beatles’ film “A Hard Day’s Night.”

The Monkees achieved massive success with hits like “I’m a Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville.” Nesmith‘s songwriting contributions, such as “The Girl I Knew Somewhere,” showcased his talent and desire for creative control.

After leaving the Monkees in 1970, Nesmith formed the First National Band, blending country and rock influences. Their single “Joanne” reached the Top 40, cementing Nesmith‘s role in pioneering country rock.

In the late 1970s, he founded Pacific Arts, a multimedia company, and produced “Elephant Parts,” an innovative video album that won the first Grammy Award for Video of the Year in 1981.

Nesmith‘s foresight in visual media contributed to the conceptualization of MTV, though he declined an offer to help develop the network. Throughout his career, Nesmith continued to write, produce, and explore new artistic avenues, leaving a lasting legacy in multiple facets of entertainment.

Awards

Nesmith‘s groundbreaking work in music video production earned him the first Grammy Award for Video of the Year in 1981 for “Elephant Parts.”

This accolade recognized his innovative approach to blending music and comedy in a video format, paving the way for future developments in the industry.

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 2021, Michael Nesmith‘s net worth was estimated to be around $50 million.

This wealth was accumulated through his successful music career, his inheritance from his mother’s Liquid Paper fortune, and his ventures in multimedia production and business.

Death

Michael Nesmith passed away on December 10, 2021, at his home in Carmel Valley, California, at the age of 78. The cause of death was heart failure. His family released a statement saying he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

Nesmith‘s passing marked the end of an era for Monkees fans and left a significant void in the music and entertainment industry.

Controversy

Throughout his career, Michael Nesmith encountered several controversies, particularly during his tenure with the Monkees, a band formed for a television series in the 1960s.

The Monkees achieved rapid success, but it soon became public knowledge that the band members did not play the instruments on their early recordings, relying instead on session musicians.

This revelation led to criticism from the music press, with the band being labeled as the “Pre-Fab Four” and accused of being a manufactured group lacking musical authenticity.

Nesmith, along with his bandmates, grew increasingly frustrated with their lack of creative control. The situation escalated in early 1967 during a meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel with Don Kirshner, the band’s musical supervisor, and Herb Moelis, head of business affairs at their record label, Colgems.

Nesmith demanded that the band be allowed to write and record their own music. When Moelis reminded him of his contractual obligations, Nesmith reportedly punched a hole in the wall, expressing his frustration by saying, “That could have been your face!”

This confrontation led to Kirshner‘s dismissal and the Monkees gaining more control over their music. They began playing their own instruments and contributing original songs, marking a significant shift in their artistic direction. However, the initial controversy over their authenticity had a lasting impact on the band’s reputation.

In the late 1990s, Nesmith became involved in a legal dispute with PBS. He had produced a program that PBS aired but allegedly failed to properly promote and distribute.

Nesmith countersued, claiming fraud and negligence. The case went to trial in early 1999, and a jury awarded Nesmith almost $47 million, although the amount was later reduced in a confidential settlement.

Social Media

• Instagram: @nesmithmichael
• Facebook: Michael Nesmith

Filmography

• Head (1968)
• Elephant Parts (1981)
• Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982)
• Repo Man (1984)
• Tapeheads (1988)

Discography

Notable albums by Michael Nesmith include:

• The Wichita Train Whistle Sings (1968)
• Magnetic South (1970)
• Loose Salute (1970)
• Nevada Fighter (1971)
• And the Hits Just Keep on Comin (1972)
• Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash (1973)
• From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing (1977)
• Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma (1979)

Books

Michael Nesmith authored several books, including:

• The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora (1998)
• The America Gene (2009)
• Infinite Tuesday: An Autobiographical Riff (2017)