Jeff Daniels Didn’t Get Much Of A Paycheck For First ‘Dumb & Dumber’
- 10 years ago
It’s been 20 years since the hit film ‘Dumb and Dumber’ debuted, and with the buzz circulating around its sequel some surprising information has come to light.
It’s been 20 years since the hit film ‘Dumb and Dumber’ debuted, and with the buzz circulating around its sequel some surprising information has come to light.
For the first film, Jeff Daniels was only paid 50 thousand dollars for his portrayal of leading character Harry Dunne.
While an actor with a successful albeit not a highly recognizable career would earn so little is shocking in itself, but there’s more.
Jim Carrey was paid 7 million dollars for starring opposite him.
Why the disparity?
There were several factors in play, not the least of which was that Carrey’s star was rising rapidly at the time.
He initially said he’d play the role for 400 thousand, but the studio wanted to pay less and decided to wait it out.
While they stood by, Carrey’s film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective reached and held onto the number 1 box office spot and before long his price had gone up.
Daniels, on the other hand, had a reputation as a dramatic actor and he wasn’t particularly desired for the comedic role.
He was given the lowball offer which, much to the surprise of the film’s executives, he took.
Daniels is likely getting a much more substantial payday for the sequel.
It’s been 20 years since the hit film ‘Dumb and Dumber’ debuted, and with the buzz circulating around its sequel some surprising information has come to light.
For the first film, Jeff Daniels was only paid 50 thousand dollars for his portrayal of leading character Harry Dunne.
While an actor with a successful albeit not a highly recognizable career would earn so little is shocking in itself, but there’s more.
Jim Carrey was paid 7 million dollars for starring opposite him.
Why the disparity?
There were several factors in play, not the least of which was that Carrey’s star was rising rapidly at the time.
He initially said he’d play the role for 400 thousand, but the studio wanted to pay less and decided to wait it out.
While they stood by, Carrey’s film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective reached and held onto the number 1 box office spot and before long his price had gone up.
Daniels, on the other hand, had a reputation as a dramatic actor and he wasn’t particularly desired for the comedic role.
He was given the lowball offer which, much to the surprise of the film’s executives, he took.
Daniels is likely getting a much more substantial payday for the sequel.