Applegate Reveals Low Anchorman Pay, Boosted by Ferrell and McKay

Christina Applegate revealed on a recent episode of The View that she nearly turned down her role in the 2004 comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy after receiving what she described as an offensively low salary offer, only to join the production after co-star Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay contributed from their own paychecks to boost her compensation.

Applegate, appearing virtually to promote her new memoir You With the Sad Eyes, recounted the negotiations during the film's pre-production in the early 2000s. "When they came in with the initial offer, it was, you know, a little offensive," she said. "And I said, 'I can't. I know my worth, and I can't do that.'" The actress, known for her breakout role in the sitcom Married... with Children, emphasized her determination to advocate for fair pay at the time. Ultimately, Ferrell and McKay, eager to have her portray ambitious news anchor Veronica Corningstone, stepped in to make it possible. "They wanted me bad enough, and they said, 'Well, we're gonna chip in.' Thank God they did, because it was one of the best experiences of my entire life," Applegate shared.

Directed by McKay and co-written by him and Ferrell,...