Jerry Newton: What Happened To Wayne Newton’s Brother?

Jerry Newton was a musician, television actor, businessman, and the brother of Wayne Newton. Jerry’s brother Wayne is an American singer and actor. He managed to get a headliner status at the casino hotel in Las Vegas, the Flamingo and soon became one of Las Vegas’ most popular performers. He is known by the nicknames “Mr. Las Vegas” and others.

Jerry Newton: Bio Summary

Who Was Wayne Newton’s Brother, Jerry Newton?

Jerry Newton was born in the 1940s, in Virginia, United States but his exact date of birth is unknown. Patrick Newton (1915-1990) and Evelyn Marie Smith (1921–1985) were his parents. His father served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked as an auto mechanic while his mother was a homemaker. He was an American of English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and German ancestry.

Jerry Newton has a younger brother Wayne Newton born Carson Wayne Newton on April 3, 1942. His paternal grandfather was Brodie Newton and his paternal grandmother was Nellie Jones while his maternal grandfather was Homer “Howard” Plaster/Plasters Smith and his maternal grandmother was Bessie Marie Massie/Massey. Jerry, his parents, and his brother had moved near Newark, Ohio.

Jerry and his brother Wayne had an interest in singing from an early age. The brothers sang in local clubs, theaters, and fairs. His younger brother was asthmatic and the family had to relocate to Phoenix because the climate there was better for his health per the doctor’s suggestions to Jerry’s parents. Wayne later said in an interview:

“We came into Phoenix from Virginia because I had bronchial asthma and the doctors literally said to my parents in Virginia, “If you want this kid to live, you’d better get him out of this climate.” But I was performing in Virginia from the time I was 5. I was part of a local radio show before going to school. I played steel guitar and sang country music.”

Following the family’s moving to Phoenix, Jerry and Wayne performed in a local television talent show, Lew King Rangers, and won. “When we got to Phoenix, there was a show on the air called “Lew King Rangers,” and it was a talent show”, Wayne said. “So my brother and I auditioned and we made the talent contest. And luckily, with the grace of the good man upstairs and the people of Phoenix, we won that.”

Jerry and Wayne had their own television show, Rascals in Rhythm. They were known as the Newton Rascals. Eventually, the brothers got the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas at the Flamingo. They performed at The Flamingo for several years doing six shows for six days a week. They performed on The Jackie Gleason Show and Ozark Jubilee. They were signed with ABC-Paramount.

ALSO, READ: Evelyn Marie Newton: Who Was Wayne Newton’s Mother?

Jerry Newton and Wayne Newton worked together but they also had solo careers. In 1963, Jerry alongside his own lounge act was appearing at the Fremont Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was Mike in The Unwritten Commandment, an episode of Bonanza. He appeared in the series again in an unaccredited role as Mike the piano player in A Christmas Story.

Jerry became the owner of WBGY, an FM radio station in Tullahoma, Tennessee. He was the co-owner of a club that opened in Tullahoma. Jerry was married six times.

Jerry Newton’s Relationship With His Brother

Jerry Newton and his brother Wayne Newton have a great relationship but the brothers reportedly split in the mid-1990s. They stopped working together. “My brother never liked being in show business,” Wayne said. “So, around 1970, he said to me, “I don’t really want to do this.” I said, “Why are you doing it?” He said, “My parents said to look out for you.” I said, “Well, I’m a big boy now so if you want to leave, go on and leave and do what you want to do.” Which is what he did.”

Jerry Newton and Wayne Newton are said to have had issues that arose from the deaths of their parents. The brothers didn’t speak to each other for over 20 years. However, Jerry asked for a tour of the opened Casa de Shenandoah museum. The brothers then reconciled. “We reunited, if that’s a good word, when he actually called the Shenandoah, himself,” Wayne Newton said. “I said I would be there myself, as a surprise, to lead his tour.”

What Happened To Wayne Newton’s Brother?

Jerry Newton died in 2016, at age 75 of congestive heart failure at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus, in Las Vegas. Jerry had suffered from what was suspected to be pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. His condition worsened and his brother Wayne Newton visited him in the hospital shortly before he passed away. “He was coherent, thankfully,” Wayne said. “We had time together before the end, yes.”

ALSO, READ: Patrick Newton: How Did Wayne Newton’s Father Die?

“I think I had gotten over all the animosity, when my parents died, years ago,” Wayne Newton said. “I was able to let all of that go, and I’m glad we had that last time together, I really am.” Jerry’s mother Evelyn Marie Newton died on 12 June 1985, at age 63, in Clark County, Nevada, USA. His father Patrick Newton died on 13 November 1990, at age 74, in Harris County, Texas, USA.