all very true, however Hollywood can mess with a person's head and their perspective.
For one thing, he wouldn't have seen that $15 mill. First you need to deduct all the federal and state tax which would be, what?, 40, 50%? That's $6, $7 mill gone already.
Then there's his managers fees which is 10% of gross, so that's another $1.5 mill plus the amount he'd normally get p/year.
On top of this he needs to pay for his entourage: publicist, trainer, home help, driver, secretary, dietitian etc etc. Sure, you and I can say most of them aren't needed but this is Hollywood where poverty (in that not being able to afford everyone that is expected of a major Hollywood star) shows weakness and a sign that they're on their way down - a self-fulfilling downward spiral as this would mean no movie studio would want them. Paying all these people - and they'd be asking a lot working as they are for a 'major' Hollywood actor probably sets him back another mill or 2 a year.
And of course we need to add in the cost of living in Hollywood - being seen out and about at the 'right places' in the most expensive clothes. Again, if you want to keep your profile high this is a must. Another couple of hundred thou a year there. Maybe more.
Basically from that $15mill, you might see $4 or $5 mill of that. True, to us mere mortals that's a fortune and enough to keep us safe and sound the rest of our lives but again, this is Hollywood. To stay up amongst the A-list celebs, you'd need to spend $2 or $3 mill a year. Great while you're earning but only while you're earning. A couple of duds or simply the studios deciding you're not 'in' anymore and you might go 2 or 3 years without earning anything, all the time still spending like you are. Also, you'd be surrounded by sycophants all telling you how great you are, and how you'll be back on top in no time all the while leeching money off you. This would seriously screw with your perspective.
Look at John Travolta. He was huge in the late 70s, early 80s and could command his own fee. By the mid-90s his star had waned so much he agreed to Pulp Fiction for a pittance of $140,000. That movie was all it took to catapult him back onto the A list of course but at the time he wouldn't have known that.
Plus you would become accustomed to living in that style. Everyone does, not just movie stars. We all think if we were earning, say, $50k more a year, we'd save the lot but it doesn't happen. We adjust our spending to our earnings, and it's very difficult to adjust them back down if and when our income drops. That's why there's so many credit card debtors and bankrupts around right now.
In summary, it's a lot of money to us but it probably wouldn't go far in Hollywood which is why people like Murphy keep acting. At least he's honest about it, much like Michael Cain who has said much the same in explaining some of his movie choices (Jaws 3D the most obvious) though in less graphic terms.
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