Actress and “Anchorman” star Christina Applegate says Apatow Productions’ original salary offer to her for her role in the iconic 2004 satirical comedy was so derisory that two big-name stars offered up a portion of their purses to ensure she came on board for it.
Applegate, 54, played the beautiful and intelligent news anchor Veronica Corningstone in the movie. In a world dominated by sexist male talent, Corningstone controversially becomes the female co-anchor to Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy. After initially shunning her and rejecting the idea of having a female co-anchor, Burgundy accepts her when he admits she’s as talented (if not more so) than he is.
It was a key role in the film and it wouldn’t have been the same without her. It’s only fair that Applegate’s compensation was in line with her male co-stars. Ferrell and the movie’s director, Adam McKay, ensured that was the case.
Christina Applegate Says Will Ferrell and Adam McKay ‘Chipped In’
GettyIn an appearance on “The View” on March 4, Christina Applegate detailed how director Adam McKay and leading man Will Ferrell gave her a portion of their “Anchorman” salaries to get her on board for the movie, following an unacceptable initial offer from the studio.
Applegate said, “When they came in with the initial offer, it was, you know, a little offensive.”
The actress continued, “And I said I can’t. I know my worth, and I can’t do that.”
She then explained about McKay and Ferrell’s generosity, saying, “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 then described how she learned a lot from her “Anchorman” co-stars.
Applegate Says Her “Anchorman” Co-Stars Gave Her a ‘Masterclass’
GettyChristina Applegate said of working with Adam McKay and her “Anchorman” co-stars, “It was such a lesson.”
She went on, “I had never done improv before. Learning from that group of dudes… that is the masterclass that people pay for. Steve Carell, like, taught it. Adam McKay developed an entire new way of doing it with his group. To get in there and have that happen was absolutely magic and it’s been invaluable to me and my career.”
It was a really cool and interesting insight into her experience on the “Anchorman” set — and one that reflected very well on McKay and Will Ferrell.
In addition to Ferrell and Carrell, “Anchorman’s” brilliant cast also included the likes of Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and Fred Willard (per IMDb). It’s easy, therefore, to understand why Applegate would have learned so much.
Of course, Applegate, McKay, Ferrell and their co-stars reunited on the 2013 sequel “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” Additionally, in July of 2024, Ferrell appeared on Applegate’s “MeSsy” podcast to mark the 20th anniversary of the first film. They’re clearly all still good pals.
Per IMDb, Applegate’s credits since “Anchorman” include movies like 2009’s “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” 2011’s “Hall Pass,” and 2016’s “Bad Moms.” On television, she’s appeared in the likes of “Samantha Who?,” “Dead to Me,” and “Up All Night.”
Applegate was on “The View” to promote her new memoir, “You With the Sad Eyes.” The book hit bookstores (and Amazon) on March 3.
The Amazon.com synopsis of the memoir reads, “Unflinchingly honest and darkly funny, You with the Sad Eyes unveils a side of Christina Applegate we’ve never seen, forever cementing her formidable and iconoclastic legacy.”
We wish her well with regards to the book’s sales.
