Jonah Hill earned $60 thousand for ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ but Leonardo DiCaprio got $25 million – his dream was to work with Scorsese: ‘I would sell my house…’

Jonah Hill Did not cut salary. He made a bet.

Instead of chasing the biggest payday of his career, he took the minimum allowed by the Actors Guild — just $60,000 — to work with the director. Martin Scorsese. His co-star, Leonardo DiCaprioReportedly earned $25 million. Hill says he did it for free.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” hit theaters in 2013 with DiCaprio playing a stockbroker. Jordan Belfort And as a heel Donnie AzoffHis off-the-rails business partner. The film captured Belfort’s real-life rise and fall in a blur of over-the-top excess. But behind the scenes, Hill’s motivation was simple: work with Scorsese at any cost.

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“Fax me the papers tonight”

Hill shared the story on “The Howard Stern Show” in 2014, confirming his $60,000 paycheck for the seven-month shoot. “They gave me as little money as possible,” he said. “That was their offer and I said, ‘I’ll sign the papers tonight. Fax me the papers tonight. I want to sign them tonight before they change their minds.’

The number didn’t mean anything. There was an opportunity.

“I will sell my house [Scorsese] All my money to work for him,” Hill said. “I would have done anything in the world. I’ll do it again in a second. It’s not about the sh*t money. You should do the things you care about.”

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When a paycheck isn’t worth it

Hill was not chasing short-term gains. He was thinking the long game. It’s the same logic people use when they take a low-paying role to work under a great mentor, or pass on lucrative offers to build something long-term.

“You do ’22 Jump Street’ or something, and you can pay your rent,” Hill told Stern. But “The Wolf of Wall Street” wasn’t about the rent money. It was about the craft. About access. About planting the flag where it really matters.

The gamble worked. Hill earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, gained respect in dramatic circles, and proved he wasn’t just a comedy guy. DiCaprio, who produced the film through his Appian Way banner, reportedly earned a total of $25 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That number included both acting and production fees, with some parts postponed due to budget issues. Still, the contrast was sharp – and the heel filling was not.

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A lesson in choosing your shot

Hill’s decision was not about money, but it was more about value. And it’s a distinction that many people are learning to make—whether it’s turning down a high-paying job that burns you out or mapping out a plan that prioritizes stability over status.

If you’re trying to make sense of your own big-picture trade-offs, working with a financial advisor might be a smart place to start. Domain Money can connect you with a professional who will help you figure out when to take a paycheck… and when to take a lap.

Because sometimes, the refund isn’t what you’re paying for. It becomes who you are.

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The article Jonah Hill Made $60K For ‘Wolf Of Wall Street’ But Leonardo DiCaprio Got $25M – His Dream Was To Work With Scorsese: ‘I Want To Sell My House…’ originally appeared on Benzinga.com.

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