• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Robin Williams was only paid $75,000 instead of $8 million for his role as Genie in Aladdin

Home> Entertainment

Published 13:32 5 Mar 2023 GMT

Robin Williams was only paid $75,000 instead of $8 million for his role as Genie in Aladdin

The much-loved actor was paid a whole lot less than what he was used to

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Featured Image Credit: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo / Walt Disney Pictures

Topics: TV and Film, Robin Williams, Disney

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Robin Williams was only paid $75,000 (approximately £63,200) for his iconic role as Genie in the 1992 Disney smash Aladdin.

The gig was definitely a hefty pay cut for the award-winning actor, who would typically charge his usual fee of around $8 million (about £6.6 million).

Williams' once revealed the heartfelt reason as to why he charged so little for appearing in the much-loved children's film.

Advert

Williams was one of Hollywood's most-loved A-listers of all time with a decade-spanning career filled to the brim with box-office hits until his passing in June of 2014.

Robin Williams was only paid $75,000 instead of $8 million for his role as Genie in Aladdin.
Walt Disney Pictures

While we all knew him for his legendary improvisational skills and hilarious impressions - the Mrs Doubtfire star also led a life spreading joy around him, engaging in charitable work for admirable causes and just generally being an all-around great guy.

One of example of Williams' selflessness can be seen through his well-known voice acting appearance on Disney's Aladdin back in the 1990s.

Williams portrayed the weird and wonderful bright blue Genie who - arguably - made Aladdin the iconic film that we all love and cherish today.

Advert

Williams recorded a near 30 full hours of written and improvised dialogue for the film.
Walt Disney Pictures

He ended up recording a near 30 full hours of written and improvised dialogue for the film - with much of the film's success being down to his totally unique portrayal of Genie.

According to a 1993 interview with New York Magazine, Williams agreed to be paid only a fraction of his regular, multi-million dollar fee because he wanted to 'leave something wonderful behind' for his children.

However, the Dead Poets Society actor had one condition for his dramatically-reduced rate.

He did not want his voice to be used to merchandise products.

Advert

"I don't want to sell stuff," Williams later told New York magazine. "It's the one thing I don't do."

Upon finding out about the news about Williams' generosity, many fans were quick to share their praise for the actor.

Williams agreed to the role to 'leave something wonderful behind'.
Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

One Facebook user wrote: "He succeeded. Not only for his kids. But all our kids and then their kids. Thank you so much beautiful man, you are missed."

Another agreed that Williams' generosity paved the way for a whole generation - and more - to feel the magic of storytelling.

Advert

They wrote: "And what an amazing gift he left to not only his kids, but us too and now our own children."

"He was someone wonderful," a third added, "thank you sir for this and so much more. For making magic for all of us, you are a king."

With the film still spreading joy to families after over three whole decades since its release, it's clear that Williams definitely 'left something wonderful behind'.

  • Surprising true story behind Robin Williams’ Friends cameo that meant entire scene was improvised
  • Robin Williams' daughter forced to deny 'BS' claim about her dad on 10th anniversary of his death
  • Reason Matthew McConaughey was only paid $200,000 for his role in Dallas Buyers Club
  • Legal reason Jonah Hill was only paid £48,000 for role in Wolf of Wall Street

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Twins who played Ross and Rachel's baby share life update as people can't believe what they look like now

    Alexandra Conley and her twin sister Athena starred in the US hit sitcom

    Entertainment
  • 8 hours ago

    Richard Hammond reveals the one thing that helped him get the job on Top Gear

    Making a good impression in an interview isn't always about what you know

    Entertainment
  • 8 hours ago

    Charlize Theron, 49, reveals she recently slept with a 26-year-old leaving fans in shock

    The actress explained her thoughts on dating during a recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast

    Entertainment
  • 9 hours ago

    What racketeering conspiracy means as Diddy is found not guilty of most serious charge

    Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied all the charges against him

    Entertainment