8. Ray Romano
Project: Everybody Loves Raymond
Proposed Salary: $1.8 million per episode*
Outcome: Agreed, but the rest of the cast staged a walkout
Everybody Loves Raymond had been on the air for six years when the show premiered in 2003. Ray Romano was interested in renewing his contract, but only if he could earn $1.8 million per episode, which was an enormous sum at the time. He also desired residuals, which would allow him to continue profiting even when the show was not in production.
Romano got what he wanted, but not without suffering the repercussions. His co-stars staged a walkout in protest of his actions. They were only making $160,000 per episode, which was a pittance compared to what Romano was earning. The strike was successful, and they received substantial raises to convince them to return to the film set.
8. Ray Romano
9. Evan Rachel Wood
Project: Westworld
Proposed Salary: $250,000 per episode*
Outcome: Agreed
Westworld is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating shows currently airing on television. The HBO science fiction show revolves around an amusement park filled with robots and wealthy visitors who wish to perform weird things with the robots. Evan Rachel Wood, Thandi Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, and a host of other actors appear.
Evan Rachel Wood and her HBO co-stars were successful in negotiating a significant pay hike for the show. Ultimately, they made $250,000 each episode for the most recent third season. A fourth season is currently in the planning stages. The massive compensation rise was approved before season three premiered. Therefore it is unclear whether season four will result in a wage raise on par with season three.
9. Evan Rachel Wood
