How Much Do Lead Actors *Really* Earn Per Movie? 

By Webmaster

  • How Much Do Lead Actors *Really* Earn Per Movie?

    Actress Taraji P. Henson breaks it all down…

    (By Carmichael Phillips)

    (Photo: Monstera | Pexels)

    How much do lead actors *really* earn for a movie? And, more importantly, how much do they get to keep? The answer might surprise you. Actress Taraji P. Henson recently offered a breakdown.

    Taraji P. Henson’s biggest claim to fame may be her role as Cookie Lyon on FOX’s hit television drama, Empire, which starred Terrence Howard and ran from 2015-2020. But there’s no doubt she’s a bona fide movie star, having appeared in dozens of successful films.

    She lit up the screen in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She’s also dazzled audiences in movies like Hustle & Flow (2005), Baby Boy (2001), and Think Like a Man (2012).

    But, how much did she ultimately earn from those movie projects? Not as much as you’d think, at least according to her.


    (Taraji P. Henson in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)

    Before it was canceled, Henson appeared on the daytime talk show, The Real. The subject of her movie compensation came up during the show. She explained in detail how, despite the fact that her top line number might be high, the amount of money she gets to keep at the end of the day is quite low.

    “So, let me break this down for you. ‘Cause a lot of people were like, ‘$150,000 (for a movie)? That’s a lot of money!”

    “When you start making that kind of money, Uncle Sam takes 50%! So, let’s do the math. 50%! That leaves me with $75,000, right?” Henson explained.


    “When you start making that kind of money, Uncle Sam takes 50%!”


    “Then, I have to pay another 30% to my team, who did all the work to get me that job. But I don’t pay them 30% of the $75,000 (after-tax dollars). No! No! No!”

    “I pay them 30% of the $150,000 (the original rate for the film). So, what does that compute to?”

    But, as Henson explained, that is not the end of the story. An actor also loses out on potential earnings after they sign on to do a film project.

    “You have 12 months in a year to make your money, right? If you do a film for 5 months, that takes you off the market from getting any other kind of coin until you’re done with that show.”

    For Taraji, the remainder of her money from the film she referenced in this example went to pay for her son’s school tuition. The cost of it was approximately $30,000. The tuition amount essentially wiped out everything she had left from making the film.

    “So, for 5 months, that’s what I literally made. His (referring to her son) tuition.”

    “Now, what? I gotta hit the pavement again. And I gotta scrounge up another check. So, that’s how that works.”

    Here’s a quick breakdown of what she described:

    + $150,000 (earnings from the film)

    – $75,000 (taxes)

    = $75,000 (remaining balance)

    But wait, there’s more!

    – $$$? (Revenue she couldn’t earn while working on the film for 5 months)

    – $45,000 (paid to her representatives)

    = $30,000 (remaining balance)

    – $30,000 (for her son’s school tuition)

    = $0

    Luckily for Henson, she is an in-demand, working actress who was able to quickly “scrounge up” another check. Most actors aren’t so lucky.

    So, how much money do lead actors make? Usually a lot. Sometimes a whole lot. But the real question is, how much do they get to keep and for how long do they get to keep it?


    You Might Also Like:
    Looking at Gas Prices Makes Me Thankful for Self-Tapes


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting?

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels) QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? ANSWER: It’s never too late to start acting. There…

    The First Rule for Acting

    The First Rule for Acting What is the most important thing in acting? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Pexels) What’s the first rule for acting? Don’t think about it. Just answer!…

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally?

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally? (By AM Staff) (Photo: George Milton | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I film my self-tape vertically or horizontally? ANSWER: Always shoot your self-tape horizontally. Always,…

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022 (By AM Staff) The year 2022 flew by so fast! We hardly had a chance to enjoy it. We also hardly had time to celebrate the…

    Save $500 in 30 days!

    Save $500 in 30 days! Use this money challenge to save more money fast (By Jessica Baker) (Photo: Maitree Rimthong | Pexels) How much money is in your bank account right now? $400?…

  • Ad

  • What Questions Should You Ask an Agent?

    What Questions Should You Ask an Agent? 10 questions to prepare before an agent meeting (By AM Staff) (Photo: Shvets Production | Pexels) QUESTION: I am going to an agent meeting. They are…

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition What makes an audition successful? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Teja J | Pexels) 1. First, be happy that you got the audition. Whether you land the…

    QUESTION: | Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent?

    QUESTION: Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) QUESTION: Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent? ANSWER: Signing with a quality, reputable agent…

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: | How do I know if a talent manager is legit?

    QUESTION: How do I know if a talent manager is legit? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) QUESTION: How do I know if a talent manager or talent agent is legit?…

    Giant Red Flag: Talent Agent Scams

    Giant Red Flag: Talent Agent Scams How to know if a talent agent or manager is legit (By AM Staff) (Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich | Pexels) Talent agents are great…until they’re not! There are…

    What Aspiring Actors Need to Know

    What Aspiring Actors Need to Know First, stop saying that you’re “aspiring” (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Jeffrey Reed | Pexels) QUESTION: What do aspiring actors need to know? ANSWER: *find a mentor *take…

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing | Part 2: Your Family

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing Part 2: Your Family (By AM Staff) (Photo: Engin Akyurt | Pexels) Your family can’t understand why you want to be an actor. You will…

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing! | Part 1: Auditions

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing! Part 1: Auditions (By AM Staff) (Photo: Gerd Altmann | Pexels) There’s 100 people competing in this job interview known as an audition. 100 FRIGGIN’ PEOPLE!…

  • Ad

  • Never, Never, Never Do This!

    Never, Never, Never Do This! 5 Things Actors Should Never Do (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) This is a debatable topic. But from my perspective, there are 5 things every…

    QUESTION: Is It Okay to Turn Down an Audition or Acting Job?

    Question: Is It Okay to Turn Down an Audition or Acting Job? (By Staff) (Photo: Picas Joe | Pexels) ANSWER: Yes! But communicate your reluctance with your reps and others who need to…

    QUESTION: Are auditions free? How much do auditions cost? 

    QUESTION: Are auditions free? How much do auditions cost?  (By Staff) (Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels) ANSWER: If someone charges you for the privilege to audition, it’s most likely a scam. Auditions are…

  • Ad

  • Why Do Actors Say “Break a Leg”? 

    Why Do Actors Say “Break a Leg”? This expression is normally said right before a performance (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Victoria Akvarel | Pexels) If you’re new to acting, do be alarmed if…

    Should You Wear White in a Self-Tape Audition? 

    Should You Wear White in a Self-Tape Audition? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Don’t wear bright white, as your primary color, for your self-tape audition unless you must. Wear it when…

    What are the Requirements to Become an Actor? 

    What are the Requirements to Become an Actor? 5 skills you absolutely need to have… (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) Did you drop out of grade school? Never finished college?…

    When Should I Give Up on Acting?

    When Should I Give Up on Acting? Four signs that will let you know it’s time to quit (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Mike Greer | Pexels) Be a patient actor. Be a determined…

    Does Height Matter for Acting? 

    Does Height Matter for Acting? How tall do you have to be to be an actor? (By Jim Webb) Question: “I’m short. Will my height mean that I cannot get work as an…

  • Ad