Pedro Pascal The Last of Us Salary: How Much Did He Really Earn?
Pedro Pascal has quickly become one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood thanks to his standout performances in The Mandalorian and now HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Last of Us. Pascal stars as the central character Joel, a grieving father tasked with transporting a young girl, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), across a post-apocalyptic America overrun by zombie-like infected humans.
How Much Does Pedro Pascal Earn Per Episode of The Last of Us?
Fans are curious about exactly how much Pedro Pascal earns per episode to portray this intense, emotionally complex role. According to multiple reports and sources like The Things, Pascal’s salary for The Last of Us is $600,000 per episode. For the first season of 10 episodes, this adds up to an impressive $6 million payday for the Chilean-American actor.
Interestingly, Pascal actually went against the advice of The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin by playing through the popular video game that the HBO series is based on. In an interview with IGN, Pascal confessed:
“My nephews were watching me play and eventually got tired of my inability to complete the level, so they took my controller from me. But then we started shooting the show and living in the world ourselves!”
This first-hand experience no doubt helped Pascal channel the essence of the Joel character even more accurately. Key in-game moments are recreated beat-for-beat in the show thanks to Pascal’s nuanced performance. So while unconventional, his gaming prep paid dividends in making his commanding salary feel well-earned.
How Does Bella Ramsey’s The Last of Us Salary Compare?
Pascal’s teenage co-star Bella Ramsey has also earned rave reviews for her performance as Ellie, the escape artist immune to the deadly Cordyceps infection. While concrete details on Ramsey’s per episode salary remain unconfirmed, one estimate puts it around $70,000 per installment.
While significantly less than Pascal, this salary would still mark a hefty raise for the young actress previously known for her role on Game of Thrones. The sizable gap likely comes down to Pascal boasting previous leading man credits driving up his quote.
Why Does Pedro Pascal Command Such a High Salary?
Although Bella Ramsey shines as Ellie in The Last of Us, Pedro Pascal’s larger-than-life presence anchors the big-budget production. His ability to convey quiet devastation one minute and brutal survival instincts the next brings the video game character of Joel to life flawlessly. These demands require an experienced actor at the height of his powers, which Pascal delivers in spades.
Pascal’s growing fame and proven box office track record also justify his mammoth salary. As the titular helmeted bounty hunter in Disney’s The Mandalorian, Pascal led one of streaming’s biggest pop culture sensations. Major roles in Wonder Woman 1984, The Equalizer 2, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle have shown his versatility as a leading man who can toggle between prestige and blockbuster fare.
Also Read: ‘The Last of Us’ Star Makes a Strange Confession Despite Being One of the Most Pivotal Characters
With The Last of Us setting viewing records and generating significant buzz ahead of this year’s Emmys, Pascal’s commanding $6 million single-season salary seems like a smart investment. As the lynchpin holding the ambitious series together, HBO made the right call backing up the Brinks truck for Pedro Pascal’s services. Expect his quote to continue rising as his stardom reaches new heights on the back of his gripping Last of Us performance.
The Last of Us is available on Amazon Prime.
