Paycheck Actors Explained
You know those actors who have shown signs of brilliance but are more well known for turning out crap at an alarming rate? Well the term I use for them is 'Paycheck Actors'. I have this discussion with my friends on occasion as we try and top each other by naming various paycheck actors. I decided it was time to put my list to paper for every ones viewing. Now there is a certain amount of subjectivity to making a top 10 list as my list could look much different then everyones. I may have missed someone obvious but I gave this list some thought in the hopes I wouldn't have a glaring omission.
Now let me state the Paycheck Actor guidelines.
1. The actor has to have made at least 3 better-then-average movies to be considered.
2. At least 1 of the better-then-average movies has to be an exceptional movie. By that I mean a movie you figure people will still remember fondly in 10 years.
3. The actor's bad/good movie ratio has to be at a MINIMUM of 2-1 but I usually like to play it safe by going with 3-1.
4. At least 1 of the bad movies has to be just a clear-cut paycheck grab that could never be refuted. Movies like 'Gigli', 'Norbit', 'The Pink Panther' or anything with a Wayans brother would be examples.
I couldn't determine 1-10 so I have the actors listed alphabetically.
Now let me state the Paycheck Actor guidelines.
1. The actor has to have made at least 3 better-then-average movies to be considered.
2. At least 1 of the better-then-average movies has to be an exceptional movie. By that I mean a movie you figure people will still remember fondly in 10 years.
3. The actor's bad/good movie ratio has to be at a MINIMUM of 2-1 but I usually like to play it safe by going with 3-1.
4. At least 1 of the bad movies has to be just a clear-cut paycheck grab that could never be refuted. Movies like 'Gigli', 'Norbit', 'The Pink Panther' or anything with a Wayans brother would be examples.
I couldn't determine 1-10 so I have the actors listed alphabetically.
Ben Affleck
I'd have to say of all the actors on this list I dislike Affleck the most. I'm not too sure if he is a paycheck actor by choice or coincidence. 'Good Will Hunting' was a great movie and I'll never understand why Ben couldn't parlay that into more great films. Notice the overlap on 'Daredevil' with Colin Farrell, a great indicator of a terrible film. Also, Affleck made a movie called 'Paycheck'...too easy.The Good
The Paychecks
- Gigli
- Surviving Christmas
- Phantoms
- Pearl Harbor
- Reindeer Games
- Paycheck
- Smokin' Aces
- 200 Cigarettes
- The Third Wheel
Colin Farrell
Is it possible to look at Colin Farrell and not hate him? The answer is no. I'll give him credit for 'Minority Report' which I thought was very good. It was a Tom Cruise movie but he did a good job playing the jerkoff going after Cruise. It was hard to find movies by him that were well received. He almost didn't make the list due to not having enough quality work to show for his career. I've yet to see Alexander, I plan to keep it that way.The Good
The Paychecks
- Ordinary Decent Criminal
- American Outlaws
- Alexander
- Pride and Glory
- Ask the Dust
- The Recruit
- Daredevil
- Cassandra's Dream
- Miami Vice
- S.W.A.T.
Cuba Gooding
Oh, how the mighty have fallen!Cuba won an Oscar at one point but that seems like a lifetime ago when you look at the crap he is making these days. I really believe that he decided to grab a few paychecks and now has tainted his image for life. 'Boyz N The Hood' is a great movie, I mean a great movie! How can you make movies like 'Norbit' or 'Boat Trip' after that!? You blew it Cuba, let that be a lesson to everyone else.
The Good
The Paychecks
- A Murder of Crows
- Daddy Day Camp
- Boat Trip
- Chill Factor
- Lightning Jack
- Norbit
- What Love Is
- Shadowboxer
- Snow Dogs
Eddie Murphy
I used to be a big Eddie Murphy fan. He made some killer comedies in the 80's and was box office gold. Then around the time he made 'Coming To America' he just started to really falter. He still seems able to draw money at the box office but he is making some really brutal movies these days. The trailer for 'Norbit' is still haunting my nightmares. He seems to have a contract with Disney that stipulates he make a terrible movie every year or so, bravo Eddie!The Good
Beverly Hills Cop
(Special Edition)
Trading Places
(Special Edition)
The Paychecks
- Adventures of Pluto Nash
- Norbit
- Beverly Hills Cop 3
- Holy Man
- Vampire in Brooklyn
- The Haunted Mansion
- Distinguished Gentleman
- I Spy
- Meet Dave
Jason Statham
Why does Jason Statham have to be in every action movie? I'm so sick of seeing this little guy running around kicking ass and he always seems to be driving a car. There is 3 'Transporters' and 'Death Race' and who knows what next. I like 'The Italian Job', it was a remake but they did a good job. Statham seems to be a pure action guy for the most part, it's unclear if he has the acting chops to do anything else.The Good
The Bank Job
(Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)
The Italian Job
(Special Collector's Edition)
The Paychecks
- In the Name of the King
- The One
- London
- War
- Revolver
- Ghosts of Mars
- Transporter 3
- Death Race
- Transporter 2
John Travolta
'Pulp Fiction' is a classic movie of that there is no doubt. 'Face Off' was a good time action movie as well. There was a time when Travolta's name alone was enough to sell me on watching a movie. I might take some criticism here but I'd say Travolta hasn't made a good movie since 2004. He chose to star in 'Wild Hogs' with bubble paycheck actors Tim Allen & Martin Lawrence and there is really no excuse for keeping that kind of company when you are John Travolta.The Good
The Paychecks
- Look Who's Talking Now
- Staying Alive
- Battlefield Earth
- Look Who's Talking Too
- Wild Hogs
- The Devil's Rain
- Perfect
- Two of a Kind
- Basic
Matthew McConaughey
I speak for most men when I say I dislike McConaughey's movies. It's usually some romantic comedy dribble few have the tolerance to sit through. That being said, the move 'Frailty' I personally own and it is one of my favorites. So we have an actor who clearly has some acting chops but he is till content to make movies like 'Failure to Launch' and 'Fool's Gold'. Money talks I suppose...The Good
The Paychecks
- Surfer, Dude
- Fool's Gold
- Larger Than Life
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- The Wedding Planner
- Paparazzi
- Two for the Money
- Failure to Launch
- Sahara
Ray Liotta
Ray Liotta is the hardest person for me to add to this list as he is my favorite actor of the bunch by a large margin. I grew up watching 'Field of Dreams' and when I got older I moved onto 'Goodfellas', which for my money is the best mobster movie of all time. I had to add Ray to the list though because it is becoming clear to me that he is starting to find the allure of a paycheck a lot more appealing than making a movie anyone will enjoy watching. Smarten up Ray!The Good
The Paychecks
- In the Name of the King
- Slow Burn
- Crossing Over
- Wild Hogs
- Revolver
- Turbulence
- Inferno
- Unforgettable
- Operation Dumbo Drop
Steve Martin
Steve Martin is a hack! I mean Steve hasn't made a worthwhile movie in a good 10 years. Those 'Pink Panther' movies are enough to cause me to physically shudder. Remember when he was making good movies like 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' and 'Parenthood'? Yeah, me neither. I'd say of all 10 members of this list I find his paycheck movie list to be the most morally offensive.The Good
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
L.A. Story
(15th Anniversary Edition)
The Paychecks
- Cheaper By the Dozen 2
- Mixed Nuts
- The Pink Panther
- The Pink Panther 2
- Pepper's Lonely Hearts
- Cheaper by the Dozen
- The Out-of-Towners
- Sgt. Bilko
- Bringing Down House
Vin Diesel
The second coming of Arnold Schwarzenegger is the title I think Vin Diesel was and still is after. 'The Fast and the Furious' and 'The Pacifier' are not the answer Vinny. I'm a big fan of 'Boiler Room' as I'm a broker myself. There isn't enough movies about that sort of thing IMO so I give him respect for that one. He has lent his name to a few other quality pictures but his calling card seems to be crappy action movies. Vin is so money hungry now that he skipped the 1st & 2nd Fast/Furious sequels but came crawling back to do the 4th...The Good
The Paychecks
- Babylon A.D.
- A Man Apart
- Hitman
- Knockaround Guys
- The Pacifier
- Fast & Furious
- Chronicles of Riddick
- XXX
- The Fast and the Furious
Paycheck Poll
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by Deletedgames
I am a blogger and lens creator in training.
I figure it was time to put some of my not-so-useless knowledge to work for charity and myself.
I have as... (more)
I figure it was time to put some of my not-so-useless knowledge to work for charity and myself.
I have as... (more)
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