One of the best parts of the holiday season is all the incredible films we get to watch to put us in the festive spirit. Everyone has their favourites, but it’s undeniable that Home Alone is one of the best in the genre. It’s funny, heart-warming, and original, what’s not to love?
After the success of the first movie, the second meant the cast got a significant increase in their pay. But one actor managed to increase their earnings by millions thanks to a simple addition to their contract.
Daniel Stern who played Marv Murchins – one half of the wet bandits – inserted a special clause during salary negotiation. Stern got paid $300,000 (£236,000) for his role in the first movie, although he temporarily left the film, after the length of filming was increased by an extra two weeks.
Producers eventually managed to get him to come back after they didn’t like his replacement. After learning his co-star Pesci was earning $3 million (£2.36 million) he ditched his agent, and used the leverage he had from the success of the first film to demand a pay rise.
“I knew they couldn’t do the movie without me, but I was also insecure, since I almost blew it the first time,” he said. “I didn’t want to be too greedy when I loved the movie and the part so much.”
So Stern approached the studio with the demand of $1.5 million (£1.18 million) as well as two percent of the gross profits of the sequel. Whilst the studio agreed to pay rise, they ended up agreeing to one per cent instead of two, but Stern has still managed to make millions off of the deal.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York grossed $359,000,000 (£282,000,000) worldwide, meaning Stern got a $3.59 million slice.
The money likely helped Stern achieve the lifestyle he lives now as a cattle rancher. But he also makes time for his passions such as writing and sculpting, too.
On his website, Stern discussed the reasoning behind his lifestyle change.
“When I was a kid, I was a terrible student but I excelled in all things artistic – theatre, choir, band, woodshed, metal shop, ceramics, and sculpture. I dropped out of high school when I was seventeen and moved to New York to become an actor.
“I got married and was a father by the time I was 23, and obviously had to just focus on my show business career. I did a lot of great movies but there came a point where I missed being away from my family. I decided to stop traveling so much, stay home and focus on my family and my other artistic passions.
“The result of that decision is that I have a wonderful family life and this body of work.”