American Pie Star Spills Shocking Secret: Unbelievably Tiny Pay Check Forces Him to Become a Churro Guy

Summary

Seann William Scott confirms he was paid only $8,000 for his role in American Pie.

He used most of his paycheck to buy a used Thunderbird, but doesn't remember what happened to the rest of the money.

Scott had to work at the LA Zoo as a "churro guy" before the movie came out.

American Pie star Seann William Scott discussed his low earnings from his role in the popular teen comedy during a recent interview. Released in 1999, American Pie was a huge success, earning $235.5 million from a modest $11 million budget. It ranked as the 17th highest-grossing film of the year, surpassing other notable movies like Inspector Gadget and the Best Picture winner Shakespeare in Love. The film's success led to the creation of a successful franchise, consisting of four theatrical movies, five direct-to-DVD spinoffs, and a highly anticipated fifth installment currently in the works.

During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Seann William Scott was questioned about a rumor regarding his salary for his role in the original American Pie.

When asked about receiving only $8,000 as payment, Scott confirmed this and disclosed that he used most of it to purchase a secondhand Thunderbird. He cannot recall where the remaining funds went, as he subsequently worked as a churro vendor at the LA Zoo until the movie was released.

Seann William Scott's Fortunes Changed After American Pie

Following the release of American Pie, Stifler emerged as a prominent and recognizable character within the film series. Scott went on to portray the role in the subsequent theatrical films American Pie 2, American Wedding, and American Reunion. While he did not appear in any of the direct-to-DVD spinoffs, which were titled under the brand American Pie Presents, all five of these spinoffs included at least one character associated with Stifler.

Scott's success in American Pie opened doors for him to take on various other roles. In addition to his appearance in the supernatural slasher film Final Destination, he predominantly starred in comedies during the early 2000s, including Road Trip, Dude, Where's My Car?, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Old School. By the time he reprised his role in American Reunion in 2012, his prospects had undergone such a significant change that his new contract included a payment of $5 million.

Scott's payment for the original American Pie brings to light the issues central to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. The actors advocating for fair compensation have been vocal about their meager salaries and minimal residuals for successful projects. Although this interview may not directly relate to the strike, it aligns with the experiences shared by other performers during the past two weeks.