Tommy DeVito Net Worth - Pulptastic

Publish date: 2024-06-16

What was Tommy DeVito’s Net Worth?

Tommy DeVito, a musician and actor, died at the age of 92 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a member of the doo-wop group The Four Seasons, known for his vocals and lead guitar. The group’s story was adapted into the musical “Jersey Boys” and a film. DeVito had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death.

DeVito began his music career in the 1950s, forming a trio with his brother and a friend. The group eventually became The Four Lovers, with the addition of Frankie Valli. In 1960, the quartet solidified as The Four Seasons, with DeVito, Valli, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. DeVito recorded several hits with the band, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man.”

DeVito reportedly died from COVID-19.

Early Life and Music Career

Tommy DeVito, born as Gaetano DeVito on June 19, 1928, in Belleville, New Jersey, was the youngest of nine children of Italian immigrant parents. He taught himself to play guitar at the age of eight and started performing in local taverns when he was 12. Despite his love for music, DeVito had brushes with the law and spent multiple stints in jail for petty crimes. He dropped out of school after the eighth grade and went on to form his own band.

Early Career as a Musician

In the early 50s, DeVito formed the group the Variety Trio with his brother Nick and Hank Majewski. The group performed under several different names and with various lineups. Eventually, it became a quartet with the addition of Francis Castelluccio (later known as Frankie Valli), and was renamed the Variatones.

In 1956, the group signed a recording contract with RCA Victor under the new name the Four Lovers. DeVito and Castelluccio were the only consistent members of the group, which released seven singles and one album as the Four Lovers. Their biggest hit was their debut single, “You’re the Apple of My Eye,” which was written by Otis Blackwell.

The success of the single landed the Four Lovers a spot on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1956.

The Four Seasons: Rise to Fame and Departure of Tommy DeVito

In 1960, Tommy DeVito and Frankie Valli reformed the Four Lovers and were introduced to Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi through Joe Pesci. The group became the Four Seasons and had their first number-one hit with “Sherry” in 1962, followed by “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man.” Their last number-one hit was “Rag Doll” in 1964. After Massi’s departure in 1965, the band struggled to maintain their popularity due to changing musical tastes.

DeVito left the Four Seasons in 1970 before the release of “Half and Half” due to exhaustion from touring and performing, as well as his gambling addiction. He sold his rights to the band’s name, touring act, and material to Valli and Gaudio. The original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and were later featured in the hit jukebox musical “Jersey Boys” in 2005, reviving the group’s popularity.

Life and Death of Tommy DeVito

After leaving the Four Seasons in 1970, DeVito moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and became a card dealer. He lost all his fortune within a year and worked as a house cleaner afterwards.

DeVito was married twice and had three children. In September 2020, he passed away in Las Vegas at the age of 92 due to COVID-19 complications.