Bobby Berk Reveals How He Actually “Lost Money” Being on Queer Eye

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For Bobby Berk, there was nothing fab about his Queer Eye paycheck.

The interior designer openly discussed the pay he received on the Netflix renovation show, where he worked alongside Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown, and Tan France during the initial eight seasons. However, he declared his departure from the series in 2023.

On a recent episode of the Networth & Chill podcast dated June 25th, Bobby admitted that he actually lost money during his first two seasons on the show, stating that they were paid very little.

He went on discussing his initial hardships, mentioning that due to his commitment to the TV show, he couldn’t accept any other design projects from his company as he needed to physically be there for it.

He stressed the significant financial impact of his absence from the company, stating, “During those five months we were away, and the rest of the time when we were on non-stop promotional tours, our business was essentially losing money.

He mentioned that there was a gradual increase in profitability, as he explained, “By seasons three and four, I might have just covered my costs.” Furthermore, he pointed out that his returns were modest, barely reaching double digits.

In the end, he mentioned that he needed to join forces with external companies for endorsements, as it was essential for his financial survival at age 43.

Fans would sometimes complain about the Fab Five because they were frequently endorsing products or companies, but the Fab Five explained that this was their source of income and asked, “How else do you think we can afford to keep doing the show?

Still, Bobby said his overall experience was “great” and “absolutely” worth it.

Initially, it proved challenging during the early seasons, but the opportunities it brought for other ventures were priceless. That kind of exposure is invaluable, and we consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have stumbled upon success like this.

For more stars who have gotten candid about their pay, read on.

Jenna Johnson, winner of season 33, stated that although there isn’t a monetary reward for winning the mirrorball trophy on Dancing With the Stars, those who reach the finale are compensated until then. She added that contestants also receive a substantial bonus.

If you emerge victorious, Johnson explained that while pro contracts are based on seniority, it doesn’t mean a seven-figure payout. Instead, you’ll be taking home an appealing trophy. For dancers who bow out early from the ballroom, Johnson clarified that they’re guaranteed a specific number of weeks.

In other reports, starting salaries for dancers range between $1,200 and $1,600 per episode, potentially rising to as much as $100,000 per season (though ABC has not confirmed these figures). In contrast, celebrities begin with a salary of $125,000. As they progress through the competition, stars can expect additional bonuses, with semifinalists and finalists potentially earning up to an extra $50,000.

Jennifer Lawrence, a winner of the Academy Award, received a paycheck worth $25 million to feature in Adam McKay’s comedy disaster film titled “Don’t Look Up.” Interestingly, her costar and fellow Oscar laureate, Leonardo DiCaprio, pocketed $30 million for his role.

Speaking with Vanity Fair for its December 2020/January 2021 issue, Lawrence stated, “Leo earns more at the box office than I do.” She added, “I’m very content and grateful for my contract. However, in many situations, women like me have experienced discomfort when asking about equal pay. And if you raise concerns about something seemingly unfair, you’re often told it’s not due to gender bias, but they can’t explain what else it might be.

Her optimistic outlook was earned through struggle: The revelation in 2014’s Sony email hack of the wage disparity between Lawrence and her male costars in the 2013 film American Hustle sparked a broader discussion about the pay gap between genders within Hollywood.

In a conversation with Channel 4 News U.K. in 2017, Lawrence expressed gratitude for her job but admitted to having other concerns beyond money. She wasn’t bothered about the amount of money she received for a movie, considering it an absurd concern. Instead, she was frustrated by the unfairness and inequality she observed.

In contrast to DiCaprio’s earnings, Jonah Hill received approximately $60,000 (pre-commissions and taxes) for his role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” in 2013, whereas the film’s main character pocketed a massive $10 million.

Hill stated on The Howard Stern Show in 2014 that they were given the smallest amount of money as a payment, but since it was an opportunity to be part of a Martin Scorsese film, he was eager to finalize the agreement before anyone had second thoughts about it due to the budget.

To work for Scorsese,” Hill passionately expressed, “I’d be willing to part with my home and every penny I own. It’s not about the financial gain; you could take on projects like ’22 Jump Street’ or others to cover your expenses. But this? This is about following your passions. I’d do it all over again, without a second thought. Money isn’t the driving force here; it’s about doing what truly matters to you.

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

In 2023, the billionaire media magnate shared with Essence that they were given $35,000 to appear in a film, which turned out to be the most valuable $35,000 earned. It transformed their life and imparted valuable lessons.

In the 1997 biopic titled “Selena,” Jennifer Lopez portrayed the iconic Tejana singer, Selena Quintanilla. This marked the first time a Latina actress was paid one million dollars for her role in a movie.

In an interview with Variety back in 2019, Lopez shared that she was quite young and rather clueless about the situation surrounding her breakout film. “They paid me a million dollars, which was fantastic. It seems to me that everyone was trying to make a point,” she expressed.

Furthermore, this opened up opportunities for her to earn hundreds of millions more, with her involvement often being free of charge.

Lopez stated to GQ in 2019 that she does things because she enjoys them. She didn’t earn a significant amount for Hustlers; instead, she did it gratis and even produced it herself. Essentially, she invests in herself, similar to Jenny From the Block – she follows her heart and does what she loves.

Adrien Brody didn’t star in “The Brutalist” for financial gain. Instead, he accepted the challenging role of a tormented Hungarian architect in post-WWII America for $250,000, ultimately earning his second Oscar for Best Actor.

Brody jokingly stated to Variety that he urgently requires a movie studio now, as he has invested all his efforts into the restoration of an upstate New York barn that resembles a castle.

Pete Davidson jokingly commented to New York magazine about his pay when asked before Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special: “I remember when I first joined at age 20 in 2014, they were paying me around $3,000 per episode. So I think I just treated myself to a fancy dinner!

Remarkably consistent, the starting salaries for SNL newcomers have been maintained over time. The original cast members from season one, including John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase, were reportedly paid $750 per episode in 1975. This amount, adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index Inflation calculator, would be roughly equivalent to $3,300 in 2014. However, if we calculate the same amount in 2025, it would be approximately $4,428.

In his current 22nd season on SNL, Kenan Thompson is now earning significantly more than $3,000 per episode, but it’s important to remember that even he began with humble beginnings as a former star on Nickelodeon.

In Demi Lovato’s 2024 documentary “Child Star”, the former All That star disclosed that when they received their first commercial paycheck, it amounted to $800. Since I was only 12 at the time, that sum felt like a fortune to me, as if it were a million dollars.

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

On Jimmy Kimmel Live in March 2025, Lauren Graham, known for her role as Lorelai Gilmore over seven seasons and later in the 2016 revival Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, shared that there are no residuals on Netflix. However, she mentioned that she has been compensated with love and appreciation instead.

Tommy Dorfman openly discussed her earnings from “13 Reasons Why” during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. This conversation was sparked, in part, by streaming services like Netflix not regularly providing extra remuneration to cast and crew once a show achieves significant success.

In a post on Threads dated July 24, Dorfman shared that her income from the entire first season of “13 Reasons Why” amounted to $29,953.24 before agency and manager fees (which accounted for 20%) and taxes were deducted. She explained that this was based on eight episodes over a six-month period. She also disclosed that she undertook all promotional work, had key art responsibilities for the show, traveled round trip from New York City to San Francisco for each episode shoot, and spent extended periods without pay during production. Additionally, she barely qualified for insurance coverage.

Dorfman also stated that during its initial 28-day run, Season 1 of the show accumulated a grand total of 476 million viewing hours. That’s why we’re taking this stance.

In an interview on his podcast, Dax Shepard revealed to his former co-star from Parenthood, Lauren Graham, that he was aware he earned one of the smallest salaries among the cast members during their show’s six-season run on NBC.

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

He explained that before becoming a parent, every job he had held, he would take the initiative to discover what everyone was earning. He found ways to learn this information, either by having a conversation with them directly or indirectly using an intermediary such as an agent.

He deliberately avoided obtaining information about his lineage in his parental family, which allowed him to enjoy the experience more, even when he occasionally sensed his position within the company hierarchy.

In 2005, George Clooney shared with the Los Angeles Times that he personally invested a dollar to produce his film “Good Night, and Good Luck.” To achieve this, he had to sign a check endorsing himself as director and gave up his acting salary. His co-writer and co-producer, Grant Heslov, also earned a dollar for their contributions.

The heartfelt account about CBS News journalist Edward R. Murrow standing up to authority in the 1950s has proven enduring: Clooney is set to make his Broadway debut by portraying Murrow in a stage adaptation of the movie. Remarkably, during its pre-opening week, the play broke a Broadway record (for a non-musical), earning $3.3 million. This means Clooney is raking in significantly more than $1 million.

In 2000, Christian Bale took on the chilling role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, for which he was compensated with the absolute minimum wage they were legally allowed to pay him. This was because most people involved in the production were hesitant to hire him, except director Mary Harron. He shared this detail with GQ in 2022.

In his own words, he earned such a small amount that he vividly recalled sitting in the makeup trailer, where even the makeup artists chuckled as they realized he was receiving less payment compared to all of them.

Although his uncle might be named Rico, Jon Heder clarified in 2010 that he initially received just $1,000 for the movie “Napoleon Dynamite” at first.

Following the unexpected success of his offbeat comedy, he managed to negotiate a share of the earnings, informing the New Zealand Herald, “The offer was slightly increased.

Djimon Hounsou openly stated that he has been consistently undervalued in the film industry, despite boasting an impressive resume with films like Amistad and Blood Diamond.

In an interview with Larry Madowo at CNN in January 2025, the Beninese actor shared that he’s worked in this field and produced movies for more than two decades. Despite earning two Oscar nominations and being featured in several large-scale blockbuster films, he’s still facing financial difficulties to sustain his livelihood.

In her 2024 memoir titled “Rebel Rising”, Rebel Wilson revealed that she received only $3,500 for her role in the movie Bridesmaids. This amount was actually used to join the Screen Actors Guild, meaning she effectively earned nothing from this role.

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

The Australian actress saw a significant increase in her fame, as her salary for Pitch Perfect in 2012 started at the SAG minimum scale of $65,000 and reached $10 million for Pitch Perfect 3 in 2017. In addition to this, she earned $20 million from Pitch Perfect 3, Isn’t It Romantic, and The Hustle combined, although it should be noted that around half of this amount went to taxes, another 10% to agents, and 5% to her lawyer. Despite having to pay various expenses such as her publicist, business manager, and assistant, she still ended up with a considerable sum of money that I would consider a substantial fortune.

Towards the end of 2017, Ellen Pompeo successfully renegotiated her contract for the TV series Grey’s Anatomy. The new deal included a salary of approximately $575,000 per episode, an additional large signing bonus, and two full equity points in the backend. These equity points are estimated to be worth between $6 million and $7 million.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter in 2018, Pompeo stated, “At 48, I’ve reached a point where I feel comfortable asking for what I rightfully deserve. This is something that matures over time.” She further explained, “Although I may not be considered the most trendy actress due to my long-standing role, which spans 14 years. However, it’s important to note that anyone can excel in a show during its first and second seasons. Can you continue to perform well after 14 years? That takes real talent.

More recently, Ellen Pompeo has been contemplating the fact that she earned less than her co-star Patrick Dempsey, despite being “The Grey.” However, she made it clear that she did not resent him for earning more money.

In a March 2025 episode of Call Her Daddy, she expressed, “Since my name is attached to the show, I felt I deserved equal treatment. It wasn’t resentment towards what he received, but rather disappointment that they didn’t appreciate me as much as they did him, and they never will.

Back in 1978, Jamie Lee Curtis reminisced about earning $2,000 per week, which amounted to $8,000 in total, for her first movie role in “Halloween”. She clarified to Rotten Tomatoes in 2018 that, “frankly, no one was paid anything significant.

Though the “scream queen” received four-figure pay, John Carpenter’s friend Nick Castle felt like royalty earning just $25 per day to co-play the role of Michael Myers. It was Anthony Moran whose face was visible when the killer’s mask momentarily came off, and Tommy Lee Wallace also appeared on screen portraying Michael.

In 2018, Castle, who studied at USC with Carpenter, shared with Vanity Fair that at the time, the opportunity to work on the film meant a lot to him because he wanted to understand the filmmaking process better. He anticipated being on set for free, but was pleasantly surprised to be paid $25 per day and only required to wear a rubber mask.

Taraji P. Henson was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2008’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” but even years later, she remains enthusiastic about the $150,000 she received for being in the film. This payment came after producers declined her initial offer of $500,000.

Regarding the main characters of the movie, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Henson stated on the Ladies First With Laura Brown podcast in 2021 that “Back then, it wasn’t common to hear of $20 million salaries, but it was happening for them. And honestly, I believe they were rightfully paid what they deserved.

However, she added, “I also planned to contribute a specific sum for the seat, and at that stage in my career, I believed what I was asking was reasonable, given the ticket sales this big film would generate. I wasn’t willing to do it.” Henson felt disappointed when they initially offered $100,000; she later remembered. “Ultimately, I ended up with $150,000, but I had to set aside my pride for that,” she said.

Henson clarified, “People often say, ‘A sum of $150,000 is a substantial amount!’ However, I don’t want anyone to perceive me as ungrateful. After all, when you consider that half goes to the government, that leaves only $75,000. Before taxes, I need to pay my team 30%, which means Uncle Sam takes another 75% of the remaining $75,000. So, after Uncle Sam’s cut and my team’s share, I might be left with just $40,000?

Although Cate Blanchett amassed a substantial fortune throughout her career, not all of it stemmed directly from portraying the royal elf Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings film series, which earned an impressive $2.9 billion at global box offices.

In response to Andy Cohen’s guess on Watch What Happens Live in August 2024 that the Lord of the Rings was her biggest paycheck, she firmly corrected him, saying “Absolutely not.” She explained that no one received payment for working on that movie; instead, she jokingly added that she mainly got free sandwiches and got to keep her ears.

In other words, they didn’t receive a substantial sum of money. For instance, Orlando Bloom, portraying Legolas the elven warrior, disclosed on The Howard Stern Show in 2023 that he earned only $175,000 for the entire trilogy.

Hopefully he also got to keep his ears.

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2025-06-27 03:18