Christina Applegate says Will Ferrell, Adam McKay cut 'Anchorman' pay for her

Entertainment Weekly • March 6, 2026 • entertainment

Key Points:

Christina Applegate revealed on The View that she initially received an offensive lowball salary offer for her role in the 2004 comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay stepped in to increase her pay, demonstrating their commitment to her involvement in the film.
Applegate, already experienced from Married... With Children, described working on Anchorman as a valuable master class in improv comedy that greatly influenced her career.
Anchorman was a major box office success, earning over three times its $50 million budget, and led to a sequel in 2013 where Applegate praised McKay's unique directing style.
The actress shared these insights while promoting her memoir, You With