'Saturday Night Live' stars past and present have opened up about their early salaries on the iconic sketch show and how they spent their first paychecks.
- Dec 5, 2024
AceShowbiz - When most people think of "Saturday Night Live (SNL)", visions of comedic legends and showbiz grandeur come to mind. However, these high profiles often start with a humbling paycheck. In interviews with New York Magazine, former and current "SNL" stars revealed that their early salaries were not as lavish as the spotlight might suggest.
Comedian Pete Davidson candidly shared that his first paycheck on "SNL" was much lower than assumed. He recalled, "Do you guys know what they pay us? It's like three grand an episode, so I think I got dinner!" This sentiment was echoed by Jason Sudeikis, who noted that his salary as a first-year writer didn't allow for significant purchases. "I mean you don't really make enough money to make big purchases," he explained. "So, I think New York rent was probably the biggest purchase I made after writing on 'SNL' the first year."
The modest pay scale of "SNL" newcomers has led many cast members to spend their earnings on practical items. James Austin Johnson humorously mentioned buying "the most uncomfortable West Elm couch of all time," stressing that it felt "like bricks." Cheri Oteri opted for a couch as well, which she has had reupholstered multiple times. Sarah Sherman also invested in home comforts, purchasing a nice mattress.
Some cast members, however, indulged in a bit of luxury with their initial earnings. Bowen Yang, for example, recounted going to Saks Fifth Avenue to buy "a pair of Gucci shoes" that he no longer feels cool wearing. Julia Louis-Dreyfus confessed to splurging on a $75 pair of shoes that were out of her budget at the time. Similarly, Sarah Silverman treated herself to a $300 cashmere sweater.
Despite the modest beginning, the salary trajectory for "SNL" cast members can be promising. Davidson's initial earnings of around $54,000 to $66,000 per year are now reported to be more than double for newcomers. According to Celebrity Net Worth, first-year cast members currently earn $7,000 per episode, and the rates increase significantly for those with more tenure. Kenan Thompson, a veteran since 2003, reportedly earns between $2 and $3 million per year.
