Despite Appearing for 3 Whole Episodes, $1.4 Billion FRIENDS Franchise Paid Bruce Willis Nothing
The 90s American television sitcom Friends needs no introduction. The show is one of the most-watched television series of all time with a strong star cast that includes Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, and Matt LeBlanc.
The show was a massive hit, with the Friends franchise making $1.4 billion. With such a whopping amount, it’s hard to believe that the makers of the hit show didn’t pay a single penny to a guest star. The most memorable guest on the show, Bruce Willis, who played the character of Paul Stevens, did his part without charging any fees.
Why didn’t Bruce Willis get paid for his role in Friends?
Bruce Willis played the character of Paul Stevens, the overprotective father of Elizabeth, who was the love interest of Ross Geller, portrayed by David Schwimmer. Though Paul’s character lasted for only three episodes, it left a massive impression on the viewers of Friends.
For his memorable role as Paul, Willis deserved a hefty amount, but surprisingly, the Die Hard actor did his part for free. The 68-year-old actor rose to prominence way before being a part of Friends; not just this, he also won Emmy Awards for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Role. Irrespective of all these facts, Willis received only appreciation for his role but didn’t get paid for it.
The Unbreakable actor opted to work on Friends for free because he lost a bet with Matthew Perry. Perry was Willis’s co-star in the film The Whole Nine Yards. During the film, the actors made a pact that whoever lost the bet had to work on Friends without charging a single penny. Hence, Willis played his part in the show for free, and whatever he received as a salary was donated to charity.
What was the bet all about?
Before sharing the screen on Friends, Perry and Willis collaborated on the film The Whole Nine Yards. The crime comedy film turned out to be a success at the box office. During the making of the film, Willis didn’t feel sure about the success of the film, but on the other hand, Perry believed that the movie would be a great success. Both the actors’ notions didn’t align well, so they concluded to make a bet. They made a bet that if the movie became a hit after its release, Willis would appear on Friends for free. Perry’s optimism for the movie turned out to be against Willis, as the movie was a hit and Willis lost the bet.
And as per the bet, Willis didn’t charge any fee for his appearance on Friends. The film was not just a hit; it also boosted the careers of Perry and Willis. Willis’s performances in both The Whole Nine Yards and Friends will be remembered as the funniest performances in history.
Also Read: Bruce Willis Is Immune To Addiction, Says FRIENDS Co-Star Matthew Perry: “He Doesn’t Have The Gene”
Source: Showbiz Cheatsheet
