The Millionaire (1955)
A landmark CBS anthology drama series that asked one timeless question: what would you do with a million dollars?
The Millionaire - Series Information
- Original Title: The Millionaire
- First Air Year: 1955
- Last Air Year: 1960
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (28 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 207
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: CBS
- Alternative Titles: If You Had a Million (US)
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Millionaire - Plot
An anthology series that explored the ways sudden and unexpected wealth changed life for better or for worse. It told the stories of people who were given one million dollars from a benefactor who insisted they never know him, with one exception.
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The Millionaire - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Paul Frees
- Marvin Miller
- Roy Gordon
- Russ Conway
- Joan Vohs
- Diane Brewster
- Amzie Strickland
- Nora Marlowe
- Robert Quarry
- Howard McNear
Writers
- Jerry Adelman
- Mary C. McCall, Jr.
- Ed Adamson
- Jack Laird
- Lee Erwin
Executive Producers
- Fred Henry
The Millionaire - FAQs
What is The Millionaire about?
The Millionaire is an anthology drama series in which a mysterious billionaire named John Beresford Tipton secretly gifts one million dollars to a different ordinary person each week. The show explores how that sudden, unexpected windfall reshapes each recipient's life — sometimes for the better, sometimes with devastating consequences.
Who played Michael Anthony in The Millionaire?
Marvin Miller portrayed Michael Anthony, the trusted personal secretary who delivered the million-dollar cashier's checks on behalf of the reclusive John Beresford Tipton. Miller appeared in every episode, serving as the show's consistent on-screen anchor throughout all six seasons.
Why was John Beresford Tipton never fully shown?
John Beresford Tipton was deliberately kept off-screen — only his hands and lower body were ever visible. This creative choice reinforced his mystique and anonymity, mirroring the condition he imposed on recipients: they must never discover who their benefactor truly was. Paul Frees provided his voice throughout the series.
How many seasons and episodes does The Millionaire have?
The Millionaire ran for 6 seasons and 207 episodes on CBS. Season counts ranged from 23 episodes in the first season to 39 in the third, with later seasons settling around 35 to 37 episodes each. The series aired from 1955 to 1960.
Is The Millionaire based on a true story?
The series is not based on any single true story. It was an original fictional concept built around the intriguing premise of anonymous philanthropy. Each episode featured a standalone story with different characters, allowing the show to examine a wide range of human responses to sudden, life-altering wealth.
What network aired The Millionaire?
The Millionaire aired on CBS from 1955 to 1960. It was one of the network's popular Wednesday night offerings during the era, drawing consistent audiences who tuned in each week to discover which ordinary person would receive the mysterious million-dollar gift and how their life would unfold.
What are shows similar to The Millionaire?
Fans of The Millionaire may enjoy other anthology dramas such as Inside No. 9, The Dick Powell Show, and Somerset Maugham Hour for comparable storytelling styles. For modern takes on wealth and transformation, Small Axe, The Romanoffs, and WHAT/IF offer compelling thematic parallels.
Who wrote episodes of The Millionaire?
The series featured a rotating team of writers across its six seasons, including Jerry Adelman, Mary C. McCall Jr., Ed Adamson, Jack Laird, Lee Erwin, Wellyn Totman, Carolyn Slade, Danny Arnold, Seeleg Lester, and Robert Leslie Bellem, each contributing to the show's diverse anthology format.
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