Terrence Howard Reveals He Only Made $12,000 For Popular Film ‘Hustle & Flow’ While Addressing His Issues w/ The Actors’ Union: ‘SAG Has Done Nothing’

Terrence Howard Reveals He Only Made $12,000 For Popular Film ‘Hustle & Flow’ While Addressing His Issues w/ The Actors’ Union: ‘SAG Has Done Nothing’

Terrence Howard is a huge star now, but he was once drastically underpaid for a well-known role. 

During a recent sit-down with WREG’s Alex Coleman, actor Terrence Howard confessed that he was paid a measly $12,000 for his portrayal of DJay in the Paramount hit movie Hustle & Flow. The 2005 drama reportedly had a production budget of $2.8 million and raked in $23.5 million at the box office. 

While explaining why he has no love for the actors’ union — SAG-AFTRA — Terrance Howard said,

“SAG has done nothing. They sit up and say they’re here for us now, they’re talking because they haven’t gotten their money. When I went to SAG five years ago saying, ‘Hey, FOX stole my image from Hustle & Flow and they’re monetizing it,’ SAG didn’t do anything to help me. They waited nine months until the statute of limitations [was up].”

Elsewhere in the chat, Terrence Howard touched on how little he made from Hustle & Flow.

“Check this out, I made $12,000 for doing Hustle & Flow and then on top of it, what Paramount did, instead of putting my name as ‘Terrence Howard,’ performing the songs, they put ‘performed by Djay.’ Well, they owned Djay.”

Terrence continued, explaining that because of that seemingly calculated move from Paramount, he never received royalties for the songs he recorded for the film.

 “So guess what? The performance royalties went to Paramount.”

The “Best Man” star added,

“So now, I’ve got to send them a letter to say, ‘Hey, you guys owe me about 20 years’ worth of residuals and performance royalties.”

Terrence Howard says he only made $12,000 from his role in “Hustle N Flow” ?pic.twitter.com/p5vEGVMATq

— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) November 14, 2023

Terrance also hinted that he was taken advantage of but he “didn’t know” any better and was just trying to pay his rent. He continued,

“The business don’t pay actors anything, that’s why the strike is going on, actors are struggling.”

As previously reported, earlier this month Hollywood actors were finally able to reach an agreement with AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers), bringing an end to a months-long strike. SAG-AFTRA (The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) president, actress Fran Drescher reportedly called the agreement “historic,” and said studios noted the contract “represents a new paradigm” for Hollywood, TV, and the actors.

Reportedly, the new agreement includes improved benefits, increases in pay minimums, AI protections, and a streaming participation bonus.

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Have you ever been underpaid before? Let us know in the comment section below!

[VIA]