“American Pie” is considered a classic, grossing $235 million at the box office back in 1999.
Despite the film’s $10 million budget, you might expect the main cast to have earned substantial salaries, right?
Well, that’s not the case. Seann William Scott, who portrayed the unforgettable Steve Stifler, disclosed just how modest his earnings were.
The movie was filmed over three months from July to September 1998, but it was not released until October the following year.
It was Scott’s breakthrough role, yet his earnings were so minimal that he had to find other means of income. He ended up working as a ‘churro guy’ at the LA Zoo while waiting for the film’s release.
Before delving into his initial earnings, let’s discuss his pay for “American Reunion,” which came out 13 years later in 2012.
According to sources cited by The Hollywood Reporter, Scott earned a remarkable $5 million for his role in the movie, while co-stars Alyson Hannigan and Eugene Levy each received around $3 million.
The other members of the cast earned between $500,000 to $750,000.
At last, they received the financial recognition they deserved. By then, the franchise had already established its success, and inflation over the years played a role as well.
For his debut in the series, Scott made less than 0.25 percent of what he earned for the final installment.
The 46-year-old actor revealed his initial earnings during a game of “Celebrity True or False” on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
The host inquired if he earned just $8,000 for his role in “American Pie.”
Scott responded: “I think [that’s right], yeah because I remember afterwards I bought a used Thunderbird, for like $5,000 (£4,200), maybe $6,000 (£5,040).
“I don’t know what happened to the other two grand.”
He did not express any regret. Instead, he emphasized that $8,000 was ‘a lot of money at the time’ for him.
It should be noted that while it is a considerable amount, in Hollywood terms, it’s relatively small change.
In addition to the beloved 90s comedy, Scott has also appeared in films such as “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and “The Dukes of Hazzard.”