Following the Broadway closing of "Gypsy" on March 25, 1961, Merman half-heartedly embarked on the national tour. In San Francisco, she severely injured her back, but continued to play to packed houses. During the Los Angeles run, LeRoy visited her backstage and claimed Russell was so ill that "I think you're going to end up getting this part." Believing the film version of "Gypsy" was within her grasp, she generously gave him the many house seats he requested for friends and industry colleagues, only to discover she had been duped. During her run in "Gypsy", Merman earned an estimated $130,000 per year in the role plus 10% of the box-office receipts.