David Milch, a renowned American television writer and producer, currently has a net worth of negative $17 million. Over his prolific career, Milch amassed over $100 million, primarily through creating hit TV shows like Deadwood and NYPD Blue. However, his financial downfall came from an unexpected source: gambling. According to a 2016 lawsuit, Milch’s compulsive betting led to staggering losses, plunging him and his wife into deep debt.
For about a decade, Milch reportedly lost $25 million at the Santa Anita horse racetrack. The impact on his family was severe—they sold off nearly $13 million worth of property and were forced to live in a modest rented home. To manage expenses, his wife gave him only $40 a week in cash allowance. Perhaps most shockingly, Milch’s wife was kept completely unaware of the extent of his gambling losses for years, a fact revealed during the legal battle with his business managers.
Recognition and Success in Television
Despite these financial setbacks, David Milch’s creative talents have earned him high acclaim. He has won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, including awards for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Drama Series. His contributions to television were further honored in 2006 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6840 Hollywood Blvd.
Milch’s passion for horse racing extended beyond gambling; he also owned thoroughbred racehorses. His horses achieved notable victories, winning prestigious events like the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
The Hidden Costs of Gambling
Milch’s gambling addiction had deep roots and serious consequences. In early 2011, his wife, Rita, was summoned to a meeting with the family’s business management firm, Nigro, Karlin, Segal, Feldstein, and Bolno, LLP (NKSFB). She was perplexed when asked to transfer the mortgage titles to her name without a clear explanation. When she pressed for answers, the truth surfaced: David had been withdrawing large sums of money and writing numerous checks to the racetrack.
This revelation came after years of secrecy, during which Milch’s gambling addiction went unchecked despite his wife’s attempts to understand their financial situation. His obsession included a focus on handicapping—developing betting strategies to improve his odds. This passion inspired the creation of the television series Luck, which centered on horse racing and gambling.
Legal Battles and Financial Fallout
In 2016, the extent of Milch’s losses became public through a lawsuit filed by Rita against their management company, accusing them of withholding crucial financial information. The couple faced debts totaling $17 million. To tackle these liabilities, they arranged repayment plans with the IRS and sold multiple properties, including a $4.8 million residence in Brentwood, California, and an $8.9 million estate in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Rita took active steps to reduce debt, hosting garage sales and selling personal valuables such as art and jewelry. The family’s lifestyle drastically changed, with David living under a tight weekly cash allowance and the couple downsizing to more modest accommodations.
Roots and Early Academic Life
Born on March 23, 1945, in Buffalo, New York, David Milch grew up in a Jewish household. Excelling academically, he attended Yale University, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Yale, he earned the Tinker Prize in English and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, a prestigious honor society. He also joined the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where he was a contemporary of future U.S. President George W. Bush.
Milch continued his studies at the University of Iowa, completing a Master of Fine Arts at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop with distinction. To avoid the Vietnam War draft, he briefly enrolled at Yale Law School but did not complete the program.
Transition to Television Writing
David Milch’s professional writing career began in academia as a teacher and lecturer in English literature at Yale. Collaborating with prominent literary figures like Robert Penn Warren and Cleanth Brooks, he co-authored several college textbooks. His early writings appeared in respected literary journals, including The Atlantic Monthly and the Southern Review.
Breakthrough with Hill Street Blues
In 1982, Milch’s career took a dramatic turn when he penned a script for Hill Street Blues. The script became the episode titled “Trial by Fury” and marked his entry into television writing. Over five seasons, Milch climbed the ranks from executive story editor to executive producer. His work on the show earned him two Writers Guild Awards, a Humanitas Prize, and a Primetime Emmy.
In 1987, Milch co-created Beverly Hills Buntz, a comedy-drama spin-off of Hill Street Blues. The series ran for a short time but helped solidify his reputation as a creative force in TV.
Expanding His Television Portfolio
The early 1990s saw Milch further broaden his horizons. He co-created Capital News with Christian Williams, focusing on the hectic world of a Washington, D.C., newspaper editorial staff. Though the show lasted less than a year, it added to his diverse resume. Milch also contributed to an episode of L.A. Law in 1992.
NYPD Blue: A Defining Success
Perhaps Milch’s most significant achievement was the creation of NYPD Blue alongside Steven Bochco in 1993. The police procedural drama became a massive hit, airing for 12 years. Milch was the executive director for seven seasons and earned three Primetime Emmy Awards for his work. During this period, he also co-created Brooklyn South and Total Security, although these series had shorter runs.
Creating Deadwood and Other Projects
In 2001, Milch created Big Apple, a crime drama that aired on CBS. His next major project, Deadwood, aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006. Milch was the creator, writer, and executive producer. The show gained critical acclaim and garnered multiple Emmy nominations. Though Deadwood ended after three seasons, a film continuation was released by HBO in 2019 to critical praise and another Emmy nod.
Later Endeavors and Unfinished Ventures
Milch continued creating new series, including John from Cincinnati in 2006, which was canceled after one season. A 2007 project, Last of the Ninth, was never picked up by networks. In 2010, he launched Luck, inspired by his passion for horse racing, but it was canceled due to animal safety concerns. Another proposed project, The Money, was ultimately passed on by HBO.
In 2019, Milch contributed as a writer to several episodes of the third season of True Detective, working alongside head writer Nic Pizzolatto.
Personal Life and Challenges
David married Rita Stern in 1982, and they have three children. Outside of television, Milch maintained a strong connection to horse racing, owning successful thoroughbreds. Notably, his horse won the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Health issues have also marked Milch’s life. In the 1990s, he developed a heart condition and suffered a heart attack during a tense moment on the NYPD Blue set. Milch has been open about his bipolar disorder diagnosis. In 2015, just before beginning work on the Deadwood movie, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He has since moved to assisted living. In 2022, Milch published his memoir, Life’s Work, chronicling his experiences.
