10. Kelsey Grammer
Project: Frasier
Proposed Salary: $1.6 million per episode*
Outcome: Agreed
Despite being known as “the smartest show on television,” there were several wage conflicts on the show. According to Deadline, Kelsey Grammer, the show’s star, during the final two seasons of the hit sitcom Frasier, earned more than $1 million each episode. It took several hours of heated discussions before the producers agreed to pay him $1.6 million per episode.
In the end, Grammer earned a total of $75 million from the series, which was revealed later. Although the Cheers spinoff was a considerable success, Grammer admitted that he was just in it for the money. According to the Frasier actor, it was vital for him to know that the program couldn’t succeed without him, and he intended to “never have to work again” after the show was completed.
10. Kelsey Grammer
11. Jorja Fox
Project: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Proposed Salary: $120,000 per episode*
Outcome: Denied, $100,000 per episode remained her salary*
The drama that unfolded around the salary discussions for two huge CSI actors was palpable. When Jorja Fox and her co-star, George Eads, attempted to negotiate a compensation increase for their roles on the CBS drama, they were unsuccessful. A wage hike of $20,000 for each episode was initially being requested by the duo. If granted, they would earn a salary of $120,000 per episode.
CBS not only turned down the request but also fired the two individuals involved. Fox and Eads expressed a desire to return. They agreed to work for their former wage of $100,000 per episode if they were given the opportunity. Following their rehiring, CBS issued a light-hearted statement saying they were pleased that the couple had been able to “work things out” with the network and return to CSI: New York once more.
11. Jorja Fox
