‘I would have given a body part’: ‘White Lotus’ actor reveals pay was so low, it’s practically volunteer work

A well-known cast member has shared details about the earnings of The White Lotus cast. The actors were paid $40,000 per episode, which the actor, Jason Isaacs, felt was a very small amount compared to what most big TV shows usually pay. Even so, the project was so appealing that cast members said they would have been willing to pay money or even give up something personal just to be part of it.

Isaacs, talking about how he approaches his career and finances, said he doesn’t make decisions based mainly on money. He mentioned that over the years, his spending has always gone up along with his income, leaving him with little savings. Because of this mindset, he wasn’t upset about making the same amount as less experienced actors on the show, like Patrick Schwarzenegger, since his reasons for taking roles go beyond just the paycheck.

Isaacs told Vulture, “… Compared to what people normally get paid for big television shows, that’s a very low price. But the fact is, we would have paid to be in it. We probably would have given a body part.”

‘The White Lotus’ cast members confirms pay

A key rule of The White Lotus production is that all cast members are treated equally, which is why the credits are listed in alphabetical order. The casting director and a producer explained that this system is meant to attract people who care about the art of the project, not fame or money. They said the pay is set at a fixed rate with no room for negotiation, and most of the main actors join for a very small, non-negotiable fee. This way, the people who sign on are truly there for the work, not for big paychecks or celebrity status.

This team-oriented, art-focused approach matches the actor’s own career philosophy. After playing the villain in the 2000 movie The Patriot, he turned down many other villain roles opposite big-name male stars. Instead, he chose a smaller part as a drag queen in a 2001 film, picking creative satisfaction over higher-paying jobs. He has admitted that, looking back, this was not the best financial move, especially now that he’s in the later stages of his career. He sees other well-known actors taking short, high-paying jobs and wonders how they managed to land such profitable work.

Even with his long and varied career, he hasn’t gotten any major commercial endorsement deals. He joked that some of his past roles, which included characters involved in destructive or illegal behavior, might make brands hesitant to work with him. Still, he said he’d be happy to take any advertising offers that come his way, no matter what the product is.