‘Deadwood’ creator in serious debt following $100 million in gambling losses

David Milch, best known for creating TV shows NYPD Blue and Deadwood, is deeply in debt after having gambled over $100 million throughout his career. This essentially amounts to his entire fortune, according to reports.

The Hollywood Reporter suggests that the prominent writer/producer made an estimated $100 million thanks to various TV shows throughout the years. However, it was revealed that the he is now well over $17 million in debt. The data comes from a lawsuit filed by his wife, Rita Milch, who blames the substantial debt on gambling addiction.

The suit originated when Mrs. Milch sought $25 million in damages from their business managers, who failed to inform her about her family’s financial estate. According to her, she was unaware of her husband’s financial strain until March 2011, after becoming suspicious that her business’ employees suggested the transfer of Milch’s residence title to her and her three children.

Mrs. Milch was then informed of various checks her husband had cashed at horse racetracks several years prior, totaling over $23 million. According to the lawsuit, the sum “represented only a portion of the total amount spent at the race track, since it did not include gambling expenses from any other time period, nor did it include large cash draws that were also used for gambling.”

The couple have now put their homes on the market to make ends meet and fix their ongoing financial issues. Mrs. Milch has also sold a large amount of her own jewelry and art, according to the lawsuit. David Milch, on the other hand, is currently working on a Deadwood movie while gradually paying an undisclosed amount back to the IRS.

Mrs. Milch gives her husband a $40-per-week allowance while ensuring that he does not gamble it away. David Milch has struggled with other addictions in the past, including heroin and alcoholism.