$400 Per Episode Paycheck? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

damon strong · 06-17-2013, 04:08 PM

I once read an interview with Mary McDonough and she stated that for a large part of The Waltons run she was paid only $400 per episode.

Marvo301 · 06-18-2013, 01:57 PM

Well Mary was only 10 or 11 years old when The Waltons started in 1972 and the children were very much supporting characters when the show started with the parents and grandparents being the stars. So it is possible.

Mr. Television · 06-18-2013, 02:02 PM

I bet Richard Thomas made more. lol

damon strong · 06-19-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I bet Richard Thomas made more. lol

Richard Thomas was earning $20,000 per episode in his final season.

Steve_uk · 06-19-2013, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damon strong

Richard Thomas was earning $20,000 per episode in his final season.

I wondered when the ruination of the Western world began.

biffbronson · 07-02-2013, 07:59 PM

Speaking of 1970s series, Bill Daily has described his pay on The Bob Newhart Show as "terrible." This coming from an adult actor whose role was much more important than young Ms. McDonough's was on The Waltons.

tiredmike59 · 07-02-2013, 11:31 PM

$400.00 and $20.000 ? That is a big difference.
That would not set well with me if I was only making $400.00.

" Goodnight John Boy..you bstrd "

liane60 · 10-27-2015, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_uk

I wondered when the ruination of the Western world began.

One time Erik (Ben) said he made $15,000 an episode.

liane60 · 10-27-2015, 12:20 PM

When you're on a new TV show and haven't had much acting experience $400 an episode is good. When the show is more of a hit then you can make more money.

Marvo301 · 10-27-2015, 02:21 PM

You have to keep in mind that The Waltons had a large cast (11 Waltons plus various townsfolk and guest cast) and only so much money to go around. And of course Richard Thomas would get more money since all the stories were told from John Boys point of view as long as he was on the show. He was in almost every scene!

Tankeryanker · 09-01-2020, 11:10 PM

RT had to work a lot in the first 5 years.

jason88cubs · 10-04-2020, 09:07 PM

Erin wasnt a major characrter though either

Coffeecup · 12-13-2020, 05:03 PM

I remember reading an article with Michael Learned and she said the her tv children worked hard and should have received more money. The show lasted ? 9 years and you would hope their salaries would got up. It is true that it was a big cast but who knows special guest stars might asked for good size paycheck. I do think the child actors did have go to school also.

06-17-2013, 04:08 PM	#1
damon strong Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 17, 2010 Location: Toronto ontario Posts: 143	$400 Per Episode Paycheck? I once read an interview with Mary McDonough and she stated that for a large part of The Waltons run she was paid only $400 per episode.

06-18-2013, 01:57 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Well Mary was only 10 or 11 years old when The Waltons started in 1972 and the children were very much supporting characters when the show started with the parents and grandparents being the stars. So it is possible.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-18-2013, 02:02 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	I bet Richard Thomas made more. lol
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07-02-2013, 07:59 PM	#6
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,488	Speaking of 1970s series, Bill Daily has described his pay on The Bob Newhart Show as "terrible." This coming from an adult actor whose role was much more important than young Ms. McDonough's was on The Waltons.
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

07-02-2013, 11:31 PM	#7
tiredmike59 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 05, 2010 Location: OUTLAW STATE {MO} Posts: 1,868	$400.00 and $20.000 ? That is a big difference. That would not set well with me if I was only making $400.00. " Goodnight John Boy..you bstrd "

10-27-2015, 12:20 PM	#9
liane60 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 03, 2015 Location: MD Posts: 438	When you're on a new TV show and haven't had much acting experience $400 an episode is good. When the show is more of a hit then you can make more money.

10-27-2015, 02:21 PM	#10
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	You have to keep in mind that The Waltons had a large cast (11 Waltons plus various townsfolk and guest cast) and only so much money to go around. And of course Richard Thomas would get more money since all the stories were told from John Boys point of view as long as he was on the show. He was in almost every scene!

09-01-2020, 11:10 PM	#11
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,046	RT had to work a lot in the first 5 years.

10-04-2020, 09:07 PM	#12
jason88cubs Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 18, 2015 Posts: 103	Erin wasnt a major characrter though either

12-13-2020, 05:03 PM	#13
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	I remember reading an article with Michael Learned and she said the her tv children worked hard and should have received more money. The show lasted ? 9 years and you would hope their salaries would got up. It is true that it was a big cast but who knows special guest stars might asked for good size paycheck. I do think the child actors did have go to school also.