Seann William Scott, recognized globally for his portrayal of Steve Stifler in the 1999 comedy blockbuster American Pie, has recently revealed his small paycheck from the iconic film during an interview on a TV chat show.
Scott's surprising disclosure, along with other actors' experiences shared in light of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, helps to spotlight the glaring pay disparity issues plaguing Hollywood.
Scott recounted that he was paid a mere $8,000 to start work on the movie that turned out to be a tremendous box-office hit, amassing $235 million worldwide, and eventually defining an entire generation of moviegoers. While such a figure may seem paltry compared to the film's earnings, it was a considerable amount for the then-rising star. Scott recalled spending part of the money on a secondhand Thunderbird car. But the rest of the funds seemed to vanish, Scott quipped, as he later found himself working at the LA Zoo selling churros. The budget, thus, may have been even lower than the stated $8,000.
As this revelation resurfaces amidst the two-pronged Hollywood strike, it reminds us of the meager compensation that the industry pays its actors, even for roles that eventually become breakthrough performances. The seemingly negligible pay that Scott received for his iconic role is a testament to an industry often willing to pay as little as possible, especially for a nascent talent looking for their big break.
