Rob Gronkowski Shares How He’s Barely Spent Money From 11 Years in NFL

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Rob Gronkowski didn’t drop the ball on saving his money.

The retired New England Patriots tight end revealed that, because he’s so careful with money, he hasn’t spent much, if any, of his earnings from his 11 years playing in the NFL.

According to Rob, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, gave him a $50,000 budget to promote himself at the start of his career. Rob was expected to repay this amount from his first $50,000 in earnings. He used the money to buy a car and cover his initial expenses when he joined the New England team, as he explained on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast.

The 36-year-old added, “I’m very frugal and lived with a roommate my first couple years.”

As for why the four-time Super Bowl champ was hesitant to live large in his early years?

He wasn’t sure how long his NFL career would be, so he focused on making the most of his initial contract. As a second-round draft pick, he had a four-year deal worth $4 million, and he figured if he played it out, he’d be financially secure. He planned to save the $2 million he earned and live off the interest—around $100,000 to $200,000 a year—even if he only played for three or four seasons.

Rob, who retired from professional football in 2022, always approached his career with an eye toward the future.

He remembered thinking, ‘Even if my basketball career doesn’t work out, and I don’t become the player I believe I can be, I’ll still be financially secure.’ Back then, having $2 million in the bank felt like enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life.

The USAA representative, who has previously partnered with well-known brands such as Tide, Nike, and Dunkin’, stated his motivation was simply to protect his income.

I spent the money I earned playing football on whatever I wanted or needed, Rob explained.

Okay, so Rob being real about money? Honestly, I love that! But it got me thinking… he’s not the only one who’s opened up about this stuff. I immediately had to go digging to see what other celebrities have said about how much they earn – it’s fascinating, seriously!

According to Joe Giudice, he and his ex-wife, Teresa Giudice, barely made any money during the first season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. He revealed on his daughter Gia Giudice’s Casual Chaos podcast in August 2025 that they were paid around $25,000, which he considered a very small amount, but they accepted it.

Creating the first season of the show wasn’t inexpensive. The father of four recalled, “I remember throwing a large party in my living room that first year, and the whole season probably cost me around $150,000.”

Although the winner of Dancing With the Stars doesn’t receive a cash prize, everyone who reaches the finale gets paid for their time on the show, plus a bonus, according to season 33 champion Jenna Johnson, who won with partner Joey Graziadei.

Johnson explained that winning doesn’t come with a huge payout. While you’ll get a trophy, the prize money isn’t substantial. Contestants are guaranteed a spot on the show for a certain number of weeks, regardless of performance.

Dancers typically earn between $1,200 and $1,600 per episode, potentially increasing to $100,000 for the entire season, though ABC hasn’t confirmed these figures. Celebrities, on the other hand, start with a $125,000 salary. As they progress through the competition, they can earn additional bonuses, with semifinalists and finalists receiving up to $50,000 more.

Jennifer Lawrence, an Academy Award winner, earned $25 million for her role in Adam McKay’s comedy film Don’t Look Up. However, her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, also an Oscar winner, received $30 million for the same movie.

Jennifer Lawrence acknowledged that Leonardo DiCaprio earns more at the box office than she does. While she’s happy with her own earnings, she explained to Vanity Fair that it’s often awkward for women to ask for equal pay. She’s observed that when women do question a pay discrepancy, they’re often told it’s not due to gender, but aren’t given a clear explanation for the difference.

Let me tell you, Jennifer Lawrence’s positive outlook didn’t come easily. When the Sony hack in 2014 revealed she was paid significantly less than her male co-stars in American Hustle back in 2013, it really sparked a much-needed conversation about the unfair pay gap women face in Hollywood. It was a tough moment, but it forced the industry to take a hard look at things.

Lawrence expressed gratitude for her career, stating that her concerns weren’t financial. In a 2017 interview with Channel 4 News, she clarified that she wasn’t bothered by the amount she earned from films. Instead, she was frustrated by the broader issues of unfairness and inequality.

Compared to Leonardo DiCaprio’s earnings, Jonah Hill received a relatively small $60,000 for his work in the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street – before taxes and commissions. This is significantly less than the $10 million earned by the lead actor.

Hill remembered being offered very little money during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show in 2014. However, the opportunity to be in a film directed by Martin Scorsese was too good to pass up, so he rushed to finalize the deal before anyone reconsidered.

Hill, a two-time Best Supporting Actor nominee known for playing a frantic, drug-using stockbroker, said he’d be willing to make huge sacrifices to work with director Martin Scorsese. He explained that while movies like 22 Jump Street help pay the bills, he’d do anything – even sell his house and give away all his money – for a role in a Scorsese film. For Hill, it’s not about the money; it’s about pursuing projects you’re passionate about, and he’d gladly do it again.

Oprah Winfrey happily accepted only a little bit of green to star in 1985’s The Color Purple.

You know, looking back, I once took a role in a film for just $35,000, and honestly, it was the smartest money I ever made. I shared this with Essence magazine recently. That one experience really was a turning point for me – it completely changed my trajectory and taught me invaluable lessons I still carry with me today.

Jennifer Lopez made history when she played the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla in the 1997 movie Selena. She was the first Latina actress to be paid $1 million for a film role.

Looking back on the film that launched her career, Lopez explained to Variety in 2019 that she was very young at the time and didn’t fully understand what was happening. She added that being offered a million dollars was fantastic, and she believes everyone involved was trying to prove a point.

This success allowed her to earn hundreds of millions of dollars, and often she doesn’t even have to invest any of her own money.

In a 2019 interview with GQ, Jennifer Lopez explained that she pursues projects out of passion, not just for financial gain. She revealed she wasn’t highly paid for Hustlers, and even produced it herself, choosing to invest in her own vision. She described this as a consistent approach throughout her career, similar to the spirit of her song Jenny From the Block – she simply does what she loves.

Adrien Brody wasn’t motivated by money when he made The Brutalist. He accepted the role of a struggling Hungarian architect in post-World War II America for a salary of $250,000 and went on to win his second Best Actor Oscar.

Brody told Variety he’s ready for a big studio film. He joked that he’s put all his resources into renovating a large, castle-like barn in upstate New York.

When asked about his early spending habits after joining Saturday Night Live in 2014 at age 20, Pete Davidson joked to New York magazine, “Do you guys know what we made?” He explained that he earned around $3,000 per episode, adding, “So I think I just bought dinner.”

It’s noteworthy that pay for new cast members on Saturday Night Live has stayed consistent over time. In 1975, original stars like John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase each reportedly earned $750 per episode. Considering inflation, that’s about $3,300 in 2014, and around $4,428 in 2025.

Kenan Thompson earns significantly more than $3,000 per episode of SNL these days, especially since he’s been on the show for a remarkable 22 seasons. However, he began his career like everyone else, starting with smaller paychecks.

I remember when I got paid for my first commercial – it was $800! And honestly, being only 12 years old, it felt like I’d won a million bucks. I was telling Demi Lovato about it for her ‘Child Star’ documentary from 2024, and it still feels amazing to think about.

It turns out Gilmore Girls’ status as a beloved rewatchable classic is literally priceless.

As a huge Gilmore Girls fan, I was really surprised to hear Lauren Graham – our Lorelai Gilmore for seven seasons and the revival – explain on Jimmy Kimmel Live that she doesn’t actually get residuals from Netflix. She joked that instead, she’s been ‘paid in love and appreciation,’ which honestly, as a fan, I totally get – it’s the best payment for being part of something so special!

During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, actor Tommy Dorfman revealed details about her pay for the show 13 Reasons Why. The strike, along with the WGA strike, was partly caused by streaming services like Netflix not offering extra pay to actors and crew even after a show became successful.

Dorfman revealed on Threads on July 24th that she earned $29,953.24 for the first season of 13 Reasons Why before her agency, manager (combined 20

Dorfman also noted that the show’s first season reached 476 million viewing hours in its first 28 days, which is the reason for the strike.

Dax Shepard recently shared with Lauren Graham, a former co-star on their show Parenthood, that he was one of the lowest-paid actors on the NBC drama during its six-season run. He didn’t mention specific salaries or names, but confirmed he earned significantly less than many of his colleagues.

But, the Armchair Expert host stressed that he did not mind.

Before becoming a parent, I always made it a priority to find out how much my coworkers were earning. I’d either ask them directly or discreetly check through my agent to get the information.

He deliberately avoided finding out details about his family’s history with the company, which allowed him to appreciate the experience, even when he suspected where he stood in terms of salary and position.

In 2005, George Clooney told the Los Angeles Times that he and Grant Heslov each only made one dollar from their film, Good Night, and Good Luck. Clooney explained that to get the film made, he had to cash his check for directing and forgo his salary as an actor. Heslov, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film, did the same.

George Clooney’s passionate portrayal of CBS News journalist Edward R. Murrow, highlighting his courage in speaking truth to power during the 1950s, proved to be a success. He made his Broadway debut playing Murrow in a stage adaptation of the film, finishing his run in June 2025. The play was a financial hit, earning a Broadway record of $3.3 million (for a non-musical) during its preview week before its official opening on April 3rd, proving Clooney earned far more than just $1.

Christian Bale revealed in a 2022 interview with GQ that he was paid very little for his role as Patrick Bateman in the 2000 film American Psycho. He explained that the production didn’t initially want him, and he was only hired because director Mary Harron was a supporter.

Bale recounted earning so little during one job that he recalled the makeup artists joking he was paid less than they were while on set.

Although his uncle was Rico, Jon Heder revealed in 2010 that he originally earned just $1,000 for his role in Napoleon Dynamite.

Once the unexpectedly successful comedy took off, he successfully asked for a share of the earnings. He told the New Zealand Herald that the offer was increased.

Despite a successful career with acclaimed films like Amistad and Blood Diamond, Djimon Hounsou believes he doesn’t earn enough for his work in Hollywood.

The Beninese actor shared with CNN’s Larry Madowo in January 2025 that despite working in the film industry for over twenty years, and having received two Oscar nominations and starred in several major blockbusters, he continues to struggle financially.

In her 2024 memoir, Rebel Rising, Rebel Wilson revealed that she earned just $3,500 for her work on Bridesmaids. However, she had to pay the entire amount to the Screen Actors Guild to join the union, meaning she effectively received no money for the film.

Still, she wrote, the experience was “everything!”

The Australian actress’s career soared, and her salary dramatically increased. She earned the standard union rate of $65,000 for the 2012 film Pitch Perfect, but by 2017’s Pitch Perfect 3, she was commanding $10 million. In total, she made $20 million from Pitch Perfect 3, Isn’t It Romantic, and The Hustle. However, after paying almost 50

In late 2017, Ellen Pompeo successfully negotiated a new contract with Grey’s Anatomy worth $575,000 per episode. The deal also included a substantial signing bonus and equity in the show, estimated to be worth between $6 and $7 million.

In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 48-year-old Pompeo explained that she’s reached a point in her career where she confidently asks for fair compensation. She attributes this to gaining experience with age. Pompeo acknowledged the industry often doesn’t see her as ‘relevant’ after 14 years playing the same character, but she argued that while many actors can perform well in a show’s first couple of seasons, maintaining that quality for over a decade truly demonstrates skill.

Ellen Pompeo recently shared that she didn’t resent her “Grey’s Anatomy” costar, Patrick Dempsey, even though he consistently earned more than her, despite her being the show’s central character.

In a March 2025 episode of her podcast, Call Her Daddy, she explained that she felt she deserved the same recognition as someone else, simply because the show was named after her. She wasn’t upset about the other person’s success, but rather that her contributions weren’t valued as highly, and she believed that would always be the case.

As a longtime fan, I was fascinated to hear Jamie Lee Curtis talk about her very first movie, Halloween. She recently shared that she earned just $8,000 for the entire film – $2,000 a week. And honestly, she said it like it was nothing, pointing out that practically no one involved got much money at all back then!

Although the actress playing Laurie Strode made a good amount of money – around four figures – director John Carpenter’s friend, Nick Castle, felt like he was living large earning $25 a day to share the role of Michael Myers. (Actually, Anthony Moran is the face you briefly see when the killer’s mask comes off, and editor Tommy Lee Wallace also appeared on screen as Michael.)

Looking back, it was quite an experience!” Castle, a USC film school classmate of Carpenter’s, told Vanity Fair in 2018. “I was mainly interested in getting on set to see how movies were made and understand the directing process. I figured I’d work for free, but I ended up making $25 a day just for wearing a rubber mask.”

Taraji P. Henson was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. However, she was frustrated that she only received $150,000 for the movie, even though she initially asked for $500,000.

In a 2021 interview on the Ladies First With Laura Brown podcast, producer Dede Henson explained that Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett each commanded around $20 million for their roles in the film, which was a significant sum at the time. Henson added that their high salaries were justified, stating they deserved to be well-compensated.

She explained that she was also bringing value to the project and felt her salary request was reasonable, considering how much she expected the film to earn. She wouldn’t have accepted less. Henson said she was devastated when they initially offered only $100,000. In the end, she negotiated a salary of $150,000, but it was difficult to accept, even after getting the raise.

Henson understands some people might think $150,000 is a lot of money, but she wants to be clear she’s not ungrateful. However, after taxes and paying her team, the actual amount she keeps is significantly less. She explained that the government will take about half, leaving $75,000. Then, she needs to pay her team 30

Cate Blanchett has earned a substantial income throughout her career, but her role as the elf Galadriel in the incredibly successful The Lord of the Rings films – which made $2.9 billion worldwide – wasn’t her sole source of wealth.

She was shocked when Andy Cohen suggested The Lord of the Rings was her highest-paying role during an August 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live. “Absolutely not,” she replied. “We didn’t make any money on that film—I pretty much just got free sandwiches and was allowed to keep my prosthetic ears.”

Orlando Bloom, known for his role as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, revealed on The Howard Stern Show in 2023 that he earned only $175,000 for all three films.

Hopefully he also got to keep his ears.

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2026-01-01 02:49