Seann William Scott Reveals How Much He Was Paid For Playing Stifler In American Pie, And It's Hard To Beleive
Turns out that not all legendary roles come with legendary paychecks
It's hard to believe, but it’s been almost 25 years since American Pie first hit the big screens. It made us laugh, cringe, and marvel at just how far people would go to score their first, well, slice of the pie.
The 1999 comedy flick not only became a cultural phenomenon but also kicked off a wildly successful franchise that’s still quoted at parties today. While we all remember Jim's cringe-worthy antics and Stifler's mom's sultry allure, it's impossible to forget Seann William Scott's portrayal of the loveably obnoxious Steve Stifler.
Stifler quickly became a fan favorite due to his wild humor and penchant for chaos; he practically stole every scene he was in. However, despite his iconic performance, you might be surprised to learn that Scott didn’t exactly hit the jackpot with his paycheck for the film.
During a game of 'Celebrity True or False' on The Rich Eisen Show, Scott revealed he earned a surprisingly modest sum for his role as Stifler—just $8,000. Yes, you read that right. The man who brought one of comedy’s most memorable characters to life earned less than what many of us spend on a decent used car today.
For a role that would go on to define his early career, Scott’s initial payday was shockingly low. He humorously recalled that after pocketing the $8,000, he splurged on a used Thunderbird for about $5,000 and somehow lost track of the remaining $2,000.
Who knew being the life of the party paid so little?
Universal Pictures
“I think [that's right], yeah, because I remember afterward I bought a used Thunderbird for like $5,000, maybe $6,000,” he said, chuckling at the memory. “I don’t know what happened to the other two grand.”
At the time, Scott acknowledged that it felt like a significant amount of money to him—but it didn't last long. In fact, the now 47-year-old actor revealed that he had to take up a job as a “churro guy” at the LA Zoo to make ends meet while waiting for American Pie to hit the big screen. "Maybe it was even less than $8,000," he admitted, highlighting the uncertainty and hustle of early acting careers.
Nearly 25 years, and still rocking that legendary grin. Time flies when you’re an American Pie icon!
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Deadline Hollywood
American Pie eventually went on to become a box office smash, grossing over $235.5 million worldwide and spawning a series of successful sequels and spin-offs. And while Scott's payday may not have matched the film's financial success, his portrayal of Stifler certainly left a lasting impression.
Check out this video of Seann William Scott on The Rich Eisen Show
Despite his small paycheck, Scott has no regrets. He looks back on his time as Stifler with fondness, even hinting at a potential return to the role. While he once thought American Reunion was the perfect “bookend” to Stifler’s story, Scott now believes that revisiting the character in today’s world could be “really interesting.”
So, who knows? Maybe there’ll be more Stifler and the American Pie cast in the future. And if there is, here’s hoping the paycheck is a bit more fitting of the legend that is Steve Stifler.
Jesse
