Even After Working With Keanu Reeves in ‘Speed’, Jeff Daniels Was Only Paid $50,000 For a Hut Comedy Movie That Earned $250 Million at Box Office

Jeff Daniels continued to impress with an array of performances throughout the 1990s. Over the years, he kept on performing on stage and earned a reputation for having a powerful onstage presence and passionate acting skills.

Apart from a wide range of movies, Daniels starred in a 1994 classic comedy which garnered $250 Million at Box Office but, the actor was paid much less than his co-star Jim Carrey. However, Daniels agreed to do the movie even at that pay as he was willing to collaborate with Carrey.

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Jeff Daniels Received Very Less in Comparison to Jim Carrey

Jeff Daniels has already to some extent made a name for himself in the Hollywood industry. He acted in Terms of Endearment and Speed along with Keanu Reeves. While, his co-star Jim Carrey, received a $7 million payday for the Dumb and Dumber movie, the wage gap between Carrey and Daniels was huge.

For the Dumb and Dumber film, Daniels was only paid around $50,000. Alongside co-star Jim Carrey, who plays Lloyd Christmas, Daniels portrays Harry Dunne in the movie. They created one of the most iconic in the history of comedy films.

Dumb and Dumber became a major box office success with a $250 Million collection at the Box Office and a cult classic in the world of comedy. Jeff Daniels’ unforgettable portrayal of Harry Dunne in this film showcased his comedic talents.

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The studio was Hesitant to Cast Jeff Daniels for the Film

Though the filmmaking team of The Dumb and Dumber wanted Jeff Daniels in the movie, the New Lines studio was reluctant to include him in the cast as he was more of a non-comedic actor till then.

“Jeff Daniels was not the obvious choice because he hadn’t done any, you know, out and out comedies before that,” Bobby Farrelly told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was always comedic in his roles.”

“The studio didn’t want him,” Bobby Farrelly added.

“They said, ‘Please, anyone but him. Get a comedic actor.’ So they offered him, if I recall, 50 grand, which was, you know, Jim’s getting seven mil, they offered him 50 figuring he’ll say, ‘No, I’m not taking that,’ but he took it.”

Daniels claimed that both New Line Cinema and his managers were initially against him landing the role during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show.

Daniels said,

“You know, I was doing a lot of dramas and heading towards an Oscars trail, whatever that is, and I just said, ‘I’m not doing what I was five years ago; I’m not interested.’ I am going to audition for that Dumb and Dumber thing.”

Nevertheless, though the studio thought differently about adding Jeff Daniels at first, later it became an iconic duo with Jim Carrey.

You can watch Dumb and Dumber on Netflix.

Also Read: “It’s not in that much trouble”: Keanu Reeves’ Co-Star Nearly Turned Down His $350M Sandra Bullock Starrer for the Most Ridiculous Reason That Forced Writer to Change His Destiny

Source: WatchMojo