Home Alone Star Daniel Stern Reveals Salary Dispute for Sequel: Essential Role in Movie

Home Alone actor Daniel Stern decided to take a risk by requesting a higher salary before filming the sequel. Initially paid $300,000 for six weeks of work on the original film, Stern played Marv Murchins, one of the Wet Bandits, alongside Joe Pesci's Harry Lyme in the classic holiday movie released in 1990. According to Stern's Home Alone memoir, released on May 21, the actor shared this interesting detail.

He received a call informing him of an extended shooting schedule, now requiring him for eight weeks instead of six. Concerned about the increase in shooting time, he asked if his salary would also be raised by 33 percent, but the answer was no.

His inquiry about the salary resulted in a change of plans for the film. Nevertheless, Stern later received another call from the producers, who now agreed to stick to the original contract and keep the schedule at six weeks.

The sequel to the movie cost 20th Century Fox $18 million to produce, but it ended up making almost $500 million globally. For the next movie, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Stern was ready to cash in even more.

Home Alone Daniel Stern Reveals Salary Dispute Over Sequel in New Memoir 2

Joe Pesci, Macaulay Culkin and Daniel Stern in ‘Home Alone 2’. Cover Images

Initially, the actor was offered $600,000.

He wrote that his salary was doubled, but it wasn't the huge increase he had been expecting. Stern asked if Joe Pesci was making the same amount, and he was told that Pesci was earning more.

Stern managed to negotiate his salary up to $800,000. However, he later found out that Pesci was making between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000, in addition to a percentage of the profits.

Home Alone Daniel Stern Reveals Salary Dispute Over Sequel in New Memoir 3

Macaulay Culkin and Daniel Stern in ‘Home Alone’. Cover Images

Stern's agent initially recommended him to accept a lower salary, but they went their separate ways because the actor wanted to earn more. He requested $1.5 million and 2 percent of the gross profits. The studio eventually agreed to the salary but only offered him 1 percent of the profits.

In reflecting on the situation, Stern shared, "I was aware that the movie needed me, but I also felt unsure, considering my past mistake. I didn't want to appear too greedy, especially because I truly loved the movie and the role."

Stern also shared his experience on the film set, especially with the lead actor Macaulay Culkin, who portrayed Kevin McCallister. Stern mentioned that Culkin was a kind kid but had a very different upbringing compared to his own children. He recalled bringing his three kids to play with Culkin on set and noticing that Culkin was more accustomed to indoor activities, not knowing how to play tag or throw a ball around. Stern explained that Culkin faced a lot of pressure from the entertainment industry and his parents at a young age.

Editor's P/S:

Daniel Stern's salary negotiations for the "Home Alone" sequels highlight the complexities of navigating pay disparities in the entertainment industry. Despite his significant contributions to the success of the first film, Stern faced resistance when requesting equitable compensation. The fact that Joe Pesci received a much higher salary, despite Stern's comparable role, illustrates the persistent wage gap between actors.

Stern's decision to push for a higher salary demonstrates the importance of advocating for one's worth. By negotiating and ultimately receiving a salary that better reflected his value, Stern set an example for other actors to stand up for fair pay. His experience also underscores the significance of representation and the role that agents play in securing equitable contracts for their clients.