Many A-list actors have begun their careers with modest salaries before they hiked it up to millions of dollars. Then, there are actors like Ryan Gosling and George Clooney, who willingly agree to work for breadcrumbs because they see the potential in those films. There are even actors who worked for free just because they were so passionate about the film.
From Jennifer Lopez to Hilary Swank, the shockingly low salaries of these actors are bound to make you surprised. And fans may weirdly notice the pattern that all of the films in this list of lowest-paid roles are critical and commercial hits.
7. Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers (2019)
Jennifer Lopez worked for free in the critically acclaimed film, co-starring Constance Wu, Cardi B, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, and Lizzo. While Lopez was a producer on the film and must’ve earned handsomely from the dividends of the $148.5 million-grossing film, she was paid $0 for her acting role.
Lopez told GQ, “I didn’t get paid a whole bunch of money for Hustlers.” She shared that she did the film because she wanted to and loved doing it. She shared, “I did it for free and produced it. I bank on myself. Like Jenny From the Block — I do what I want, I do what I love.”
Lorene Scarfaria’s film follows the true story of a group of strippers who steals from Wall Street bankers. The Unstoppable actress could afford to forego her salary for a passion project, as she has earned an estimated net worth of $400 million from her singing and acting careers.
Hustlers is now available for rent on AppleTV.
6. Christopher Lee – The Wicker Man (1973)
Before Christopher Lee became popular to modern audiences through his Star Wars and Lord of the Rings roles, he played Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man. Lee’s performance in the 1973 film was one of his most influential performances. For the role in the British folk horror film, Lee was paid $0.
Lee was a recognizable star when Anthony Schaffer, the film’s screenwriter, explained to him the premise of the film. Lee wanted to move away from being typecast as a monster, like in his films Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein. He loved Schaffer’s idea and the writer wrote Lord Summerisle for Lee.
However, the film couldn’t afford a big star like Lee at its low budget. Lee offered to appear without pay so that the film could be produced. The actor’s efforts paid off, although it came a bit late due to all the behind-the-scenes issues.
The Wicker Man is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
5. George Clooney – Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
George Clooney took home $1 each for his role as director, writer, and actor in the 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck. Clooney’s total salary in the film was a meager $3. The film explored the 1950s hunts for communists that resulted in a conflict between journalist Edward Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Clooney did everything to make sure that his passion project saw the light of day. His father was a journalist and TV host, which made the movie even more close to his heart. He took drastic measures like cutting his wage from $120,000 to $3 and mortgaging his house. He was able to finish the film with a little help from businessmen Mark Cuban and Jeffrey Skoll.
His efforts paid off as the film earned $54.6 million against its $7.5 million budget. It received six Academy nominations, including Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay for Clooney.
David Strathairn, who played the central character Edward R. Murrow, received a Best Actor nomination. Clooney is set to play Murrow in his Broadway debut in the adaptation of this film (via Variety).
Good Night, and Good Luck. is now available for rent on AppleTV.
4. John Candy – Home Alone (1990)
John Candy was a regular in films written and directed by John Hughes. Their collaboration began in the 1983 film National Lampoon’s Vacation and continued to films like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and Uncle Buck. When Hughes came up with the Christmas-themed film, Home Alone, Candy agreed to film a cameo role.
No one could’ve predicted that Candy’s Home Alone role would pave the way to ruin their working relationship. Rejecting Hughes’ offer to take a percentage from profits, Candy played the role of Gus Polinski for just $414 (via Business Insider). The actor never thought that the film would go on to become a Christmas blockbuster and rake in $476 million at the box office.
Candy was solely responsible for the lost deal, however, he hoped the studio would recognize his generosity and compensate him properly after the film’s huge success. When Fox did no such thing, Candy harbored a resentment towards the studio. Home Alone director Chris Columbus shared about the situation (via Business Insider):
There was certainly a little resentment on John’s part. It was a deal between him and John Hughes at the time. I never met John Candy before he came on the movie. I don’t know if John ever got any kind of compensation from Fox. There were a couple times on set when he would make a cutting remark about Fox and what he was paid.
Hughes and Candy further collaborated in Only the Lonely and Career Opportunities, after which they never worked together again. Candy passed away in March 1994. At the time of passing, Candy had an estimated net worth of $15 million.
Home Alone is now available for streaming on Disney+.
3. Hilary Swank – Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
While Hilary Swank would’ve never accepted the role of Brandon Teena today, Boys Don’t Cry earned her the first Oscar for Best Actress. When she was roped in for the character, Swank was already a prominent star who took over from Ralph Macchio as the Karate Kid. However, it didn’t help her case when it came to the salary for her role.
Swank was paid only $3000 for her Oscar-winning role. She once told People that she didn’t have health insurance at the time because she wasn’t meeting the minimum limit of $5000 from her film. She shared:
So when I did Boys Don’t Cry, I was 24 years old. I made $3,000. In order to have health insurance, you have to make $5,000. So I didn’t even know that I didn’t have health insurance until I went and tried to get a prescription filled. They said, ‘That’s $160.’ I went, ‘Um, did you try my insurance?’ They said, ‘Mmm-hmm.’ I had an Academy Award, no health insurance.
Her talent earned her more substantial roles with higher pay soon enough. She went on to bag another Oscar for the Clint Eastwood film, Million Dollar Baby. Swank went on to make a $70 million fortune from her career.
Boys Don’t Cry is now available to buy on AppleTV.
2. Ryan Gosling – Half Nelson (2006)
The role in the indie film Half Nelson came when Ryan Gosling was already a fan-favorite actor in the industry for The Notebook. However, Gosling loved Ryan Fleck’s indie drama that explored an unusual friendship between a teacher and a student. It went on to earn him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Gosling agreed to do the film at a very low salary after understanding the budget constraints for the film. According to The Telegraph, the Barbie actor was paid $1000 per week. The film wrapped up after 23 days of filming, meaning that Gosling earned nearly $3200 million for the role.
Half Nelson also starred Shareeka Epps and Marvel star Anthony Mackie. As the actor’s star value went up, he rarely appeared in indie flicks anymore. According to Men’s Health, Ryan Gosling has an estimated net worth of $70 million. However, he has earned two Oscar nominations for the mainstream films, La La Land and Barbie.
Half Nelson is now available for streaming on Prime Video & Peacock.
1. Brad Pitt – Thelma & Louise (1991)
Brad Pitt‘s career was truly kickstarted by his role as J.D. in Thelma & Louise. The Ridley Scott film initially wanted George Clooney for the role but instead opted for the lesser-known Pitt. The actor shared that there was a lot of back & forth before the role was eventually given to him.
Pitt later told The Sun UK that he was “grateful to Ridley Scott and Geena, who gave me that shot”. Pitt was paid $6000 for his role in the film. On one end of the spectrum, there’s Pitt’s $400 million fortune that he enjoys today, and on the other, there’s his modest salary from Thelma & Louise that started it all.
The Fight Club actor shared that he came to Los Angeles with just $275 and worked as an extra in films before landing Scott’s film. The salary, which seems measly now, was a pretty big deal for Brad Pitt at the time.
Thelma & Louise is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
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