Rocky Horror Stars Earned Peanuts for Iconic Film

The stars of the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show are opening up about the meager paychecks they received for their iconic roles. According to a new documentary titled "SANE INSIDE INSANITY," the film's lead actors were not adequately compensated for their work on the beloved cult hit.

Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors, reveals that his co-star Susan Sarandon earned $5,000 more than him for the film, with Bostwick making $15,000 and Sarandon taking home $20,000. The cast also shares that they now only receive around $1,000 per year in royalties from the film's soundtrack.

Other cast members, including Patricia Quinn (Magenta) and Annabel Leventon (a Transylvanian), confirm they were paid very little, with Leventon stating they were paid "peanuts" and another Transylvanian, Lindsay Ingram, earning just £100 per week.

The documentary's director, Andreas Zerr, expresses surprise at the low compensation the actors received, especially given the film's enduring popularity and the countless merchandise sales featuring the cast's likenesses. While the studio's financial decisions were likely based on the film's low-budget production, the documentary aims to shed light on the complex legacy of this cult classic.