The iconic “Saturday Night Live” has been a launchpad for some of the biggest names in comedy, but the financial realities of joining the cast might surprise fans. In a recent video shared by New York Magazine, current and former cast members opened up about their first big purchases—and modest paychecks—after landing their roles on the legendary show.
Pete Davidson, who starred on SNL from 2014 to 2022, offered a candid take on the starting salary. “Do you guys know what they pay us?” Davidson joked. “It’s like three grand an episode. I think I got dinner.”
The revelations didn’t stop there. Cheri Oteri, known for her time on the show in the 1990s, splurged on a couch she cherished so much that she refused to part with it, even after numerous reupholstering. “A designer came over in tears,” Oteri shared, recounting how she fiercely defended her beloved couch with the line, “Not today, Satan. The coach is staying. You’re going.”
Bowen Yang, a current cast member, and SNL alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus had a shared indulgence: shoes. Yang opted for Gucci, while Louis-Dreyfus confessed her splurge—a $75 pair—was a significant step up at the time.
Jason Sudeikis, a writer-turned-performer during his decade-long tenure from 2003 to 2013, echoed Davidson’s sentiment about the modest paychecks. “You don’t make enough money to make big purchases,” Sudeikis explained. “New York rent was probably the biggest purchase I made after writing my first year on SNL.”
Despite the modest early pay, Saturday Night Live’s cultural impact and career-launching power remain unmatched. The show will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a much-anticipated special airing on NBC on February 16.
Source: Swifteradio.com
