David Spade Claims Disney ‘Rat F—ed’ Him on Salary for Animated Classic
David Spade, the beloved comedian and actor, recently opened up about his frustrating experience with Disney regarding his salary for the iconic animated film, *The Emperor’s New Groove*. Known for voicing the character Kuzco in the 2000 hit, Spade revealed that he was paid significantly less than other stars in animated movies, describing the situation with a blunt phrase: Disney “rat f—ed” him. This candid admission sheds light on the evolving landscape of voice actor compensation in the animation industry and the stark contrast between past and present pay scales.
David Spade’s Salary Struggles with Disney on The Emperor’s New Groove
During a revealing episode of the podcast *Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade*, Spade discussed how Disney framed his role as an “honor” rather than a lucrative opportunity. He explained that he was among the last voice actors to accept a Disney animated role under such terms. “I was the last guy to do a Disney movie where they said it was an honor and that’s why I didn’t get a lot of money,” Spade said. This was before the industry saw a major shift in pay, especially after the success of DreamWorks’ *Shrek*, where voice actors reportedly earned multimillion-dollar deals.
Spade’s co-host, Dana Carvey, chimed in with a humorous exaggeration, saying, “He got $18,000. The movie made 100 billion.” Spade quickly corrected him, clarifying that he earned $75,000, which, while sounding like a decent amount, was relatively low compared to the earnings of other animated stars at the time. Guest Denis Leary also weighed in, calling Disney out for underpaying Spade, stating, “They ripped you off.” Spade agreed wholeheartedly, admitting, “They rat f—ed me.”
The Chaotic Production and Long Recording Process
Spade also shared insights into the lengthy and turbulent production process of *The Emperor’s New Groove*. Initially, he signed on for a different project, a version of *The Princess and the Pauper*, alongside Owen Wilson and Carla Gugino. However, after about a year and a half of work, the project was scrapped by an executive who disliked the direction. The only element that survived was the concept of a talking llama, which eventually evolved into *The Emperor’s New Groove*.
This meant Spade had to endure another year and a half of recording sessions, often improvising lines as the story was still being developed. “I got really crabby by the end. We were just making up stuff as we went,” Spade admitted. This drawn-out process, combined with the relatively low pay, made the experience less rewarding than he had hoped.
How Animation Salaries Have Changed Since Spade’s Time
Spade’s story highlights a significant shift in how voice actors are compensated in animated films. After *The Emperor’s New Groove*, the industry saw a dramatic increase in salaries for animated movie stars. For example, the cast of *Shrek* reportedly earned deals worth millions, with some actors receiving upwards of $20 million. This change reflects the growing recognition of the value voice actors bring to animated films, especially as these movies have become major box office and streaming successes.
Denis Leary, who voiced Diego in the *Ice Age* franchise, also shared his perspective on the evolving market during the same podcast episode. He revealed that the *Ice Age* movies are streamed heavily by both adults and children, which has influenced negotiations for upcoming installments like *Ice Age 6*. Leary mentioned that he and his co-stars, including Ray Romano and John Leguizamo, are taking a more strategic approach by demanding higher pay and ensuring the script meets their standards before committing to new projects.
Conclusion
David Spade’s candid revelation about being “rat f—ed” by Disney on his salary for *The Emperor’s New Groove* offers a rare glimpse into the challenges voice actors faced in the past. While the film remains a beloved classic, Spade’s experience underscores how much the industry has changed, with voice actors now commanding much higher salaries thanks to the booming popularity of animated films and streaming platforms. If you want to stay updated on the latest entertainment news and behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and never miss a beat!
