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Actors Took Home Pennies for Blockbuster Roles
7 Nov
Summary
- Harrison Ford earned $1,000 weekly for his first Star Wars role.
- Jamie Lee Curtis paid for her own wardrobe for the original Halloween.
- Ryan Reynolds paid co-writers from his own salary for Deadpool.
Many acclaimed actors accepted significantly modest paychecks for their iconic roles in major films. Harrison Ford, for instance, only earned $1,000 per week for his debut as Han Solo in the 1977 blockbuster Star Wars. This was a stark contrast to his later earnings of $10 million to $20 million for the same character.
Jamie Lee Curtis recalled purchasing her own wardrobe for her breakout role in the 1978 horror film Halloween, making $8,000 for the production. Seann William Scott reportedly received around $8,000 for his role as Stifler in American Pie, a film that grossed significantly more worldwide.
Ethan Hawke took home SAG minimum for The Purge in exchange for a profit share, receiving no perks like a trailer. Ryan Reynolds, dedicated to bringing Deadpool to the screen after a decade, even paid his co-writers out of his own salary to ensure their presence on set due to budget constraints.
Jennifer Lopez stated she performed for free and produced the film Hustlers, focusing on her passion for the project rather than a substantial payday, though she received critical acclaim for her performance.
