[10] Parker later said that at times they had had to live on as little as $1 a week (US$20 in 2021 dollars). [citation needed], After the success of Presley's return to live performing in Las Vegas, Parker decided it was time to take him back out on tour for the first time in 13 years. For a time, Parker lied about his childhood, claiming to have been born in Huntington, West Virginia, in the early 1900s to explain his Dutch accent as being a Southern accent, and to have run away from home at an early age to join a circus owned by an uncle before serving in the U.S. Army prior to his involvement with being a music manager. In 1968, he was asked in an interview if it was true that he took fifty percent of everything Elvis earned. Presley's career stagnated while artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys dominated the charts. [64] In 1993, in one of his last media appearances, Parker appeared in a television interview with Dutch TV director Jorrit van der Kooi where they spoke to each other in Dutch about the Netherlands and about Elvis Presley's life and career. His Dutch birthplace and immigrant status were not revealed for many years. The 19 years of silence that his mysterious correspondent mentioned took the story as far back as 1961exactly the year that the Van Kuijk family had made contract with Parker, and Ad van Kuijk. Elvis had gone to the home of an employee he liked, whose wife was dying from cancer, and Hilton terminated the employee because of a rule banning any contact between employees and hotel talent . He had a matter-of-fact method of speaking and didn't suffer fools lightly. It was in 1948 that Parker pulled off one of his most inspired "snow-jobs" when he persuaded Jimmie Davis, former country-singer turned Governor of Louisiana, to grant him the honorary title of "Colonel". [53] Parker turned the offer down, and Presley was overjoyed when they replied with another offer of $10 million. The Colonel (Tom Hanks) first sees Elvis (Austin Butler) backstage at the Louisiana Hayride. Parker was a svengali who exerted an extreme amount of control over his charge's career, and took enormous 25 to 50% in commission. Tom Hanks was also intrigued by the fact that the wider public knew very little about the Elvis manager, claiming this was another reason he took on the role. "[56] Almost immediately, before even visiting Graceland, Parker traveled to New York City to meet with merchandising associates and executives with RCA Records, instructing them to prepare for a huge demand in Presley products. He died in 1997 at the age of 87. He influenced Presley's personal life, including Presley's decisions to accept military service in 1958 and to marry Priscilla Beaulieu in 1967. The talks had included details about European tours, and buying out Presley's contract would not have been a problem for Hulett and his company. For his part, Parker himself died with a net worth of $1 million, or roughly . [13] Within a year, he had the opportunity to become a legal citizen of the United States a new law allowed illegal aliens the chance to become citizens in return for their promise to fight for the country during World War II, if required. [15] The rank was honorary, since Louisiana had no organized militia, but Parker used the title throughout his life, becoming known simply as "the Colonel" to many acquaintances. [56] Shortly afterward, he traveled to Memphis for Presley's funeral. The actor has talked about the project, what drew him to it, and how he felt about the overall story. [69] In October 1990, Parker married Loanne Miller, his secretary since 1972. After the Sinatra special, Parker decided that Presley's future lay in Hollywood. Even so, he continued to sell out shows and hit the Top 10 charts. Parker suffered a stroke on Jan. 20, 1997 and died the next morning at a hospital in Las Vegas. Tom Parker died in 1997. [59] Experts in the field at the time estimated that it had potentially cost Presley millions of dollars[59] and worse for Parker, it had also potentially cost him those millions of dollars. [60] However, he did occasionally bother them by criticizing some decisions. [44] He offered RCA Records the opportunity to buy Presley's entire back catalog for $5.4 million. [65], Others, however, had doubts about whether they were legally married at all. However, the music scene had radically changed. Tom Hanks' portrayal of Elvis' manager Colonel Tom Parker in the 2022 biopic created controversy - here's the true story behind Hanks' Tom Parker. Parker was looking ahead when he persuaded Presley to sign up as a Soldier. [53] Parker, who had always dealt with Presley's film contracts and viewed the offer as a starting bid to earning more money, instead asked for a salary $1 million ($5,035,869 in 2021 dollars[11]), 50% of the profits, plus another $100,000 ($503,587 in 2021 dollars[11]) for expenses, and spoke of needing to arrange details of a soundtrack deal. But according to IMDb, it was because Elvis just didn't like dealing with confrontation. [52], In February 1975, during his engagement in Las Vegas, Presley, along with Parker, met with Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters. In 1958, Parker encouraged Elvis to voluntarily enlist in the Army (part of Elvis' true story) after he received a draft notice and serve a two-year stint as a regular soldier, showing the world that he was just like any average American. [32], In 1957, Parker finally managed to give Tommy Sands his big break by arranging for him to audition for and star in The Singin' Idol, a drama for NBC that was loosely based on the life and career of Presley. On top of that, Parker found venue upon venue for Elvis to perform in, be it recording studios, Hollywood films, TV specials, and even satellite broadcasts, immersing the artist into the cultural zeitgeist while keeping him landlocked in North America. Despite the court controversy, Parker continued to appear at Elvis-themed events, from anniversaries to special events, etc. In 1983, he was paid $2 million dollars in an out-of-court settlement, which had him turn over any and all audio and video recordings he had of Elvis and terminated his involvement in any Elvis-related earnings for five years. But this guy is like eighty years old too old to be taught the limits of racism He probably doesn't realize how horrible a thing that was to do. Between 1969 and 1972 alone, RCA released three albums of live material. Parker had unknowingly backed himself into a financial corner. Oh, I just pictured Elvis, like, singing it. [15] Over the next few years, he helped Arnold secure hit songs, television appearances, and live tours. Parker encountered Presley in 1955, and by 1956 had become his primary representative. [62], One of Parker's brothers, Adam "Ad" van Kuijk, visited Parker once in Los Angeles in April 1961. [18] According to Moore, Presley agreed to take 50 percent, with Moore and Black splitting the other 50 percent. I said no." Yet, in the end, standing up to the Colonel proved to be an expert . Parker became known as a shrewd, showy, and manipulative businessman who was able to work out lucrative deals at minimal overhead while making sure his pockets were lined healthily along the way. [53] Presley was beginning to consider new management, with Concerts West co-founder Tom Hulett being the clear favorite for the job. However, other friends and members of Presley's entourage have stood by the suggestion that Parker didn't want to admit there was such a problem because he didn't know how to deal with it, and he was also worried about any negative publicity it would create. Phillips told them to make a separate deal with Elvis. However, the tide wasn't actually changed until a 1968 TV special, produced by Scott Binder, put Elvis the singer back on top, while simultaneously showing the Colonel how close he was to losing the singer to another producer. In later years, Parker's influence waned, but he continued in his management role until Presley's death in 1977. [14] The job not only offered him a secure wage, it also offered a rent-free apartment above the Humane Society in a remote part of West Tampa for him and his family. [33] Presley had wanted to join Special Services, allowing him the opportunity to perform while at the same time getting an easier ride than other soldiers. The actor won his first Oscar for Philadelphia, where he played an AIDs-afflicted lawyer, losing significant weight to portray the character's declining health. After a heated argument between the two, Presley told Parker he was fired. [53], From 1974 onward, Presley's weight gain and prescription drug abuse became too much to be controlled. According to Presley's friend, Jerry Schilling, Presley was excited about the opportunity to take on a new challenge. [16] Soon after, Sands' song "Teen-Age Crush" reached number 2 on the pop charts, eventually selling 800,000 copies. Austin had spent much of his fortune on partying, cars, mansions, and women, and his popularity had been eclipsed by other singers, such as Bing Crosby. Thats insane! [18] A one-year management contract with Presley provided Moore with a 10-percent commission, which Moore said he never took. [4] By this time, with the IRS demanding almost $15 million in taxes, the estate was facing bankruptcy. Reportedly, Hanks was approached by movie director Baz Luhrmann, and after a short conversation, the actor was hooked. None of the rules of the relationship was operative any longer, yet neither had the courage to walk away, for a variety of reasons." [37] He allowed him to perform three live shows in 1961, all charity events, two in Memphis and one in Hawaii. [48] Two weeks after the Las Vegas press conference Parker received a letter from Honolulu Advertiser columnist Eddie Sherman. "A couple times he set me up in the Elvis Presley suite on top of the Hilton, and I would go play Elvis for a week One night we were at the crap table together and he rubbed my head for luck. The truth about his early years was revealed in 1960 when one of Parker's sisters, Nel Dankers-van Kuijk, living in the Netherlands, recognized him in photographs standing next to Presley. [33] Parker had seen many acts come and go during his earlier years in management, and felt that it would be foolish to believe that Presley, despite being Parker's most successful act to date, would be any different. Mourners recall being surprised at his wearing a Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap, smoking his trademark cigar, and purposely avoiding the casket. After the gig came to an end, Colonel Tom Parker came looking for him. [54] He phoned Presley's father once to suggest taking time off, but Vernon Presley told him they couldn't afford to stop touring due to Presley's constant and lavish spending of money. 1. However, as he always does, Hanks shone as Tom Parker in Elvis, and the Colonel proved to the world that he could play a complex villain. He received more than half of the income from Elvis's early success, which at the time was an unprecedented figure. Presley's acting career was originally intended to be a serious one, but after seeing a chance to cross-promote singles and albums with the films, Parker persuaded Presley to sing in his films. After Elvis' death in 1977, the Elvis Presley manager continued on as if The King were still alive. After the special, Parker managed Presley's return to live performance, including a set of brief U.S. tours and many engagements in Las Vegas. [29] Some viewed him as a clown-like figure, wiggling his hips for screams, while others found him vulgar and more suitable for late-night gentleman's clubs. [41] Selling it to RCA for $24,000 ($200,443 in 2021 dollars[11]), it was used to promote Presley's latest film, Frankie & Johnny. [41], On January 2, 1967, Parker re-negotiated his managerial/agent contract with Presley, persuading him to increase Parker's share from 25% to 50% on certain transactions. Colonel Tom Parker was a man with a shady past. And when he said that, I said, 'Oh, well, okay, now that's brand new.". "[24], With his first RCA Victor single, "Heartbreak Hotel", in 1956,[25] Presley became a recording star. The two had become almost strangers, and false reports in the media suggested that Presley's contract was up for sale. Parker served two years in the 64th Coast Artillery (United States), at Fort Shafter, in Hawaii, and shortly afterwards re-enlisted at Fort Barrancas, Florida. He claimed Parker negotiated side deals with RCA that defrauded Presley of $2.8 million. In May 1973, in an attempt to deal with Presley's growing dependence on prescription drugs, Presley's father, Vernon, and Parker attempted to cut off his supply. But, after he gave a detailed invoice to Elvis, the star realized he couldn't pay Parker, so they continued collaborating. However, Hanks, who has six prior nominations and won twice, was snubbed for his role as Colonel Tom Parker. Parker made his last public appearances in 1994. [35] All of these stories were fabrications, but it kept his name in view of the public. [41] In Houston alone in one afternoon, 40,000 people paid to see it, with one woman offering to have sex with the tour manager if he would allow her to sit in it. Presley had a singing style different from the current trend, and Parker was immediately interested in the future of this musical style. [60] In 1993, interest in Presley's enduring legend, interest that is sometimes notable for its obsessiveness, provoked Parker to remark: "I don't think I exploited Elvis as much as he's being exploited today. The Colonel was well-known as a strong promoter that frequently leaned into exploitation. Tom discovered the then-unknown 20-year-old Elvis Presley in 1955. But according to Alanna. [39], For the remainder of the 1960s, Presley made films that relied heavily on exotic locations and mundane songs, and he was tied into contracts that he could not escape. ( Elvis' Manager ) Alpha 11 201K subscribers Subscribe 2.3K Share 313K views 5 years ago Colonel Tom Parker managed Elvis Presley for the majority of. In the early days of their marriage, Marie and Parker worked together in the carnivals. Later, Davis says "He remembered me, and he said 'I told you you were going to be a star.' At the time of his death, Parker was suffering with diabetes, gout, and various other health problems. Never one to miss an opportunity to make money off of his prized client, Colonel Tom Parker jumped on Elvis' death as a marketing cash grab. [7] As a boy, he worked as a barker at carnivals in his hometown, learning many of the skills that he would require later while working in the entertainment industry. The document that was signed on November 21 pertained to the record label transfer. What happened to Colonel Tom Parker after Elvis died? Inc, to control Presley merchandise and keep a steady income supporting his estate. These four shows alone grossed $730,000 ($4,729,029 in 2021 dollars[11]). There were no witnesses and almost no evidence, except that the killer spread pepper on and around the body before fleeing in hopes that police dogs would not pick up the scent. [16], Regardless of the success that Parker and Presley had achieved, Parker was still struggling to believe that Presley's career would last longer than a year or two. Parker's Net Worth When He Died Was $1 Million. [citation needed], When Presley died on August 16, 1977, one day before he was due to go out on tour, some accounts suggest Parker acted as if nothing had happened. After Presley showed signs of rebellion again in 1966 and because of his flagging career, Parker decided that it was time for a new approach: marriage. Just the opposite. This led Parker to insist that films be made cheaply, on a strict schedule, and with as little hassle as possible. [15] Around the same time, realizing the deal for Presley might fall through due to the cost of the contract, Parker attempted to sell Tommy Sands to RCA. [67] According to interviews given by Parker to the Associated Press many years later, he and Marie were married in Tampa, Florida, during the winter of 1932,[67] but the Florida Office of Vital Statistics had no record of such a marriage any time between 1927 and 1946. Later in 1975, the government of Saudi Arabia offered Parker $5 million for Presley to perform there. In 1955, Colonel Tom Parker became Elvis Presley's manager, a partnership that would last over two decades and see Presley become one of the biggest stars in the world. Thomas Andrew Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk; June 26, 1909 January 21, 1997),[1] commonly known as Colonel Parker, was a Dutch musical entrepreneur, best known for being Elvis Presley's manager. [56] At the funeral, he persuaded Presley's father to sign over control of Presley's career in death to him. The premises had been ransacked in search of money. The claim of Parker's Dutch heritage was publicly confirmed when Parker unsuccessfully tried to avert a lawsuit brought against him in 1982 by asserting in open court that he was a Dutch citizen. Presley was never one to stand up against Parker, but he knew that this TV show was his one chance at a true comeback, and with Binder backing him, Presley told Parker he was doing it "Binder's way". [16] Remembering his previous experience with Sands, Sholes dismissed Sands as a viable replacement for Presley.[16]. So clearly the rock star never worked up the will to actually go through with the firing. In the end, both Elvis and Colonel Parker shared a tragic journey that mirrored their working relationship. According to Priscilla, Elvis was happy to pay 50% to Parker to manage him.[73]. [65] However, there is no definite proof that anything other than romance led to their marriage. [14] With the Society in need of funds, Parker set about using his promotional experience to raise money and awareness for the shelter. [26], In April 1956, Parker made his first mistake with Presley's career. He was 87 years old at the age of his death. [11][10], Parker first became involved in the music industry as a music promoter in 1938, working with the popular singer Gene Austin. At that point, Moore and Black had no contractual ties to either Phillips or Presley. He also pocketed some $6 million on a deal for Elvis'. Elvis and the Colonel worked to change his overall image in the wake of the backlash from his critics, who frequently deemed him offensive. [26] With over 78 different possibilities, from charm bracelets to record players, Presley merchandise brought in $22 million by the end of 1956. There are probably a number of reasons for this. Despite the fact that no one is certain what actually happened on that tragic day in 1977, it is clear that Colonel Parker had a significant impact on the singer's life and death. The Elvis manager certainly had some unethical practices when it came to the King of Rock n Roll, and many were shocked upon viewing the film to find out that this was the case. In January 1997, Parker suffered from a stroke and died the next day in a hospital in Las Vegas at the age of 87. [60], The disputes with the Presley estate did not terminate Parker's association with Presley. Dutch-born US musical entrepreneur (19091997). In any case, Parker remained Presley's manager without a break until Presley's death in 1977. It's one of only a very few villainous roles that Hanks has taken in his long career in movies, making it a relatively rare departure for the actor. [15], In early 1955, Parker became aware of a young singer, Elvis Presley. [68] Parker began to distance himself emotionally from her, heartbroken by her slow mental deterioration from the woman he once knew. [4][5] Tual, once appointed as Lisa Marie's guardian ad litem, chose to investigate the entire period of Parker's management of Presley; his preliminary finding was that Parker's management deal of 50% was extortionate compared to the industry average of 1520%. Little, Brown. [1][4], At age 15, Van Kuijk moved to Rotterdam, gaining employment on boats in the port town. [26] Presley said of Parker: "I don't think I would have ever been very big if it wasn't for him. "[52], Parker accepted that their working relationship was over, Parker telling them over the phone that Dr. Nick's services are no longer required, and demanded that Presley pay him $2 million to end their contract; money Parker claimed he was owed. Coupled with the fact that the character of Tom Hanks' Tom Parker isn't his usual role, and Hanks was eager to play the part. Elvis Presley had his own struggles, particularly in his later years, as his lavish spending, addiction issues, divorce, and declining health took a toll on The King. [53] Seeing it as a chance to finally be taken seriously as an actor, Presley agreed to take the role if the contracts could be worked out. When Elvis returned home from the Army, The Colonel focused on more films, TV appearances, and albums, saturating the airwaves with Elvis. After Elvis's drug-related death in 1977, Parker virtually retired and only occasionally emerged to defend his role as Presley's mentor. [67] Author Alanna Nash has suggested that the couple may have simply placed their hands on a Bible and given themselves a "carny wedding".[67]. According to Presley's biographer Peter Guralnick, Presley and Parker "were really like, in a sense, a married couple, who started out with great love, loyalty, respect that lasted for a considerable period of time, and went through a number of stages until, towards the end of Presley's life, they should have walked away. "[70], Songwriter Mac Davis recounted a similar experience where Parker rubbed his head and declared "You're going to be a star. The Tom Hanks Tom Parker portrayal has caused quite a bit of controversy upon the film's release. [44] These live performances, as well as being financially satisfying, also allowed Parker to fulfill Presley's recording contract with RCA Victor. [37] For the first few years Presley's films were somewhat successful, his albums topped the charts, and any singles that were released were mostly hits. QUICK FACTS Birth Year: 1909 Birth date: June 26, 1909 Birth City: Breda Birth. [41] With Priscilla's father dropping heavy hints, and fear that their relationship might become public beforehand, Parker persuaded Presley that he should make an "honest woman" of her in the very near future. Instead, he found employment as a field agent with a local animal shelter, the Hillsborough County Humane Society. Elvis didn't really fire Colonel Parker on stage in Vegas. Most notably, in Colonel Tom Parker, the mysterious manager portrayed by Tom Hanks in Elvis. While the . With no touring or public appearances to be made, Parker was able to keep costs to a minimum. [9] He began to build up a list of contacts that would prove valuable in later years. You're going to be a star.'"[71]. He completed basic training at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia.[4]. The Amazing Comeback Of Colonel Tom Parker "Colonel Tom Parker managed Elvis Presley's career from 1955 to 1977. He attended Elvis funeral dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap, avoiding any display of emotion. The show, titled "Welcome Home, Elvis", was Presley's first national television appearance since The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1957. He also assisted Jimmie Davis' campaign to become Governor of Louisiana. He arranged for a screen test with Paramount Pictures, and after impressing them with Presley's acting ability, Presley was signed to a seven-picture contract. Related: Elvis Cast Guide: What The Characters Look Like In Real Life. [4], Parker had worked as a "consultant" for Hilton Hotels since Presley's death,[60] with some believing he was working to pay off debts owed to the casino from his gambling during Presley's performances there. All in all, the manager was known for some appalling behavior towards his star client, and Elvis tries its best to portray that accurately. They struggled to survive during the Great Depression, working short cons and traveling across the country in search of work. 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