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Jeff Daniels Only Paid $50,000 for ‘Dumb and Dumber’

With the impending release of Dumb and Dumber To, let’s go back in time to see just how much Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels were paid for the first one. The Farrelly brothers spoke to THR (via News AU) to talk about the struggle they went through to get Carrey on board with the first one.

When Dumb and Dumber was first pitched to Carrey, they offered him $350,000. Carrey wasn’t a household name yet, but he was known for his stint on In Living Color and maybe Peggy Sue Got Married. He countered with $400,000 and passed when they held off.

Then Ace Ventura came out. It was number one at the box office. The studio agreed to $400,000. Carrey countered with $500,000. The studio said no.

When Ace Ventura was number one again, the studio caved. Carrey, however, now wanted $750k.

A lot of back and forth later, Jim Carrey negotiated a $7 million payday. Dumb and Dumber’s budget was $16 million. He ended up being the highest paid comedic actor.

But what about Jeff Daniels? How much did they pay that guy? Uh, well… Peter Farrelly says the studio didn’t even want Jeff Daniels. “Please, anyone but him, get a comedic actor,” they said. They lowballed him with $50,000 figuring he’d say no and go away. The plan backfired when he took it. And the rest, as they say, is the most annoying sound in the world which was people quoting Dumb and Dumber for the next 15 years.

The film made $247 million worldwide and now both are set to reprise their roles in Dumb and Dumber To.

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