Making money is the name of the game as an actor, and everyone wants a piece of the pie. Some stars make great money on hit shows, others do it on the big screen, and some land huge endorsement deals. No matter the path, it all needs to lead to millions.
Jeff Bridges is an outstanding film actor, and this year, he made headlines when he decided to finally work on television, much like his father. Bridges is making a fortune on his show, and we have the details on how he was able to make this happen belo!
Jeff Bridges Is Making $1 Million Per Episode On 'The Old Man'
On June 16, The Old Man made it official debut on FX. People have been buzzing about this project ever since it was announced, and getting Jeff Bridges to star on the series was a stroke of genius by the network.
To get him on board, FX shelled out a fortune for the star.
"Known for hit films like “The Big Lebowski” and “True Grit,” Jeff Bridges will return to television after five decades in 2022 to star in the FX for Hulu series “The Old Man.” The beloved actor will play the role of Dan Chase and earn $1 million per episode for his work," Yahoo writes.
So far, the investment seems to be paying off. The show has been earning rave reviews since its debut, and a quick look over at Rotten Tomatoes will reveal that it is earning universal acclaim with both critics and audiences.
Of course, the show's overall success will be revealed in time, but as it stands now, FX has got to be pleased with what they are getting in return for paying Jeff Bridges a premium for his services
Now, TV stars don't normally start out making $1 million per episode, but Bridges managed to pull this off thanks to a couple of different factors.
He's Had Box Office Success
First and foremost, Jeff Bridges was able to land a ridiculously high salary for The Old Man because of the name value that he brings to projects. Bridges has had a wealth of success on the big screen, and people know that he picks solid projects.
According to The-Numbers, Bridges' movies have combined to gross over $3 billion globally. Now, you might not find that to be a lot, especially when guys like Samuel L. Jackson have hit over $20 billion. Yes, he has done some franchise work, notably appearing in the first Iron Man, but by and large, he has done his own thing.
Not only does Jeff Bridges have a good record at the box office, but he's delivered great performances in outstanding movies. The man has been in hits like The Big Lebowski, True Grit, Seabiscuit, and Crazy Heart.
He's had his duds and misfires, but Bridges knows how to pick a good project, which is a skill that has served him well throughout the years.
Bridges' box office success is just one of the reasons why he was able to command a premium for The Old Man.
Bridges Continues To Be A Rare TV Commodity
When taking a look at the other reason why Jeff Bridges was able to start off making so much money, it's largely because he is a rare commodity on television.
It is true that Hollywood does like a proven commodity, but there is something to be said about scarcity, as well. When taking a look at the work that Jeff Bridges has turned in during his career, you'll notice a lack of television work. This is something that boosted his upfront pay.
When speaking with the New York Times, Bridges opened up about why he steered clear of TV work, and why he finally hit the small screen.
"I dragged my feet doing TV because my father had done six or seven TV series, and I saw the hard work that he had to put in. So I was a little anxious about that. But I read the script. I said, “Oh, that’s good.” I read the book, and “Oh!” And then I said: “Who’s our team? Who’s the writer? I’ve got to meet with those guys.” And then the cast started to fall together, and I got excited and said, 'Oh, I’m on board,'" he said.
The Old Man is a great show that TV fans should check out soon.