HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 07: Terrence Howard attends Peacock’s “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” premiere event at Hollywood Athletic Club on December 07, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
*With decades filled with memorable work on the big and small screen, Terrence Howard knows the value of a good payday.
Yet it may surprise folks that he made less than what he could have for playing aspiring Southern rapper Djay in the classic Oscar-winning film “Hustle & Flow.” In an interview on “Live at 9” to promote his new action-comedy “Showdown at the Grand,” Howard revealed what he made for “Hustle & Flow.”
“I made $12,000 for doing Hustle & Flow,” Howard told WREG’s Alex Coleman. “What Paramount did, instead of putting my name as ‘Terrence Howard’ performing the songs, they put ‘performed by Djay.’ Well, they owned Djay.”
Considering music from DJ was wrapped by Him, Complex noted Howard’s admission that the film production company exploited him out of receiving his due.
“So now, I’ve got to send them a letter to say, ‘Hey, you guys owe me about 20 years’ worth of residuals and performance royalties,’” the former “Empire” star continued.
Showdown at the Grand
As if his $12,000 take for ‘Hustle & Flow’ were enough of a reminder of how shady show business can be, Howard revealed the pay from the movie came before he received $6,000 from his work on the Paul Haggis-directed feature “Crash.” Both films were released in 2005.
“The business don’t pay the actors anything that’s why the strike is going on; the actors are struggling,” Howard expressed, relating the money made from “Crash” to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which ended on Nov. 9.
Howard’s appearance on “Live at 9” isn’t the first time he spoke about his experience with “Hustle & Flow.” In 2007, the entertainer confessed that he sacrificed his financial security and time with his family to take on the role of Djay.
“But with the loss of anonymity comes a gain in the audience,” Howard told the Orange County Register. “You suddenly make a lot more money so you can take care of your family. At the same time, you’re working so much, you don’t have enough time to spend with your family.”
Fortunately for Howard, “Hustle & Flow” found success, grossing $23.5 million worldwide. The “Best Man” fixture collected an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2006.
The success of “Hustle & Flow” expanded to Howard’s co-star Taraji P. Henson and Texas rap group Three 6 Mafia. The collective came up big at the Oscars by winning Best Original Song for their film and soundtrack contribution “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”
Starring Howard and Dolph Lundgren, “Showdown at the Grand” centers on Howard’s George Fuller, a proud business owner who finds himself defending his family business — a lush historic movie theater — from corporate developers. After George discovers a corporate developer sent thugs to scare him into selling his theater, George is determined to fight the takeover. Among his allies are new usher Spike (Piper Kurda) and legendary action star Claude Luc Hallyday (Lundgren), who suddenly becomes the man who can save the day.
To see Terrence Howard’s “Live at 9” interview, scroll below:
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: Terrence Howard Talks New Film ‘Showdown at the Grand’ and Whether He Worked with the Real Dolph Lundgren | VIDEO
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