Brad Pitt's mindboggling pay leap from $6K in 'Thelma & Louise' to whopping $30M for Apple's new Formula 1 film
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Brad Pitt, whose name is synonymous with stardom and wealth, had a humble beginning filled with struggles, rejections, and setbacks. It was his breakout role in the 1991 film 'Thelma & Louise' that propelled him into the spotlight, but not without its own share of challenges. Surprisingly, Pitt was initially rejected for the role after his first audition, proving that even the brightest stars face setbacks.
With a mere $275 in his pocket, Pitt arrived in Los Angeles and took on multiple extra jobs to make ends meet. When he finally secured a role in 'Thelma & Louise', little did he know that it would change the course of his life forever. However, the salary he received for his breakthrough role was far from what one would expect.
From meager paychecks to multimillion-dollar deals
Pitt was paid a meager $6,000 for his portrayal of JD in the film. Nevertheless, this was just the beginning of a remarkable journey of growth and success for the actor. Following the success of 'Thelma & Louise', Pitt landed a significant role in the 1993 thriller 'Kalifornia', which gave him a substantial paycheck of $500,000.
(Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
However, it was David Fincher's 'Se7en' in 1995 that marked a turning point in his career. For his portrayal of David Mills, Pitt received a paycheck of $4 million. From there, Pitt's star continued to rise as he commanded similar figures for his roles in films like '12 Monkeys', 'Devil's Own', and 'Seven Years in Tibet'. In the late '90s, Pitt reached new heights of success when he secured a payment of around $10 million for his iconic role in 'Fight Club'. This figure further skyrocketed to $17.5 million for his appearance in the 2004 film 'Troy', alongside Sean Bean and Orlando Bloom.
But the game-changer came in 2005 with 'Mr & Mrs Smith', which reportedly earned Pitt a jaw-dropping $20 million. For years, Pitt comfortably stayed in the $20 to $25 million range, depending on the roles he took on. However, his next significant leap in salary comes with the Formula 1 movie being produced by Apple, where he is set to receive a whopping $30 million, according to Cosmopolitan.
Brad Pitt's soaring career
Additionally, he is also working on a film titled 'Wolves' with George Clooney. From his humble $6,000 payment for 'Thelma & Louise' in 1991 to Apple's Formula 1 movie, Pitt's salary has seen an astounding jump of nearly 500,000% - a staggering growth over 32 years and approximately 43 films.
While Pitt has been known to negotiate his fees for various movies, two noteworthy instances stand out. He reduced his initial payment to $10 million for 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood', contributing to the film's budget. However, he made up for it with his brief appearance in the 2022 film 'The Lost City', where he reportedly charged $2 million – the same amount as the antagonist Daniel Radcliffe and almost on par with the lead, Channing Tatum, who received $2.5 million.
Pitt's journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists. His dedication, talent, and strategic career choices have catapulted him to unimaginable heights. As the silver screen continues to embrace his magnetic presence, one can only wonder what exciting projects and record-breaking salaries await this iconic actor in the years to come.