Will Ferrell gave Christina Applegate pay from his own salary because ‘Anchorman’ offer was so “offensive”

"I said I can’t. I know my worth, and I can’t do that" The post Will Ferrell gave Christina Applegate pay from his own salary because ‘Anchorman’ offer was so “offensive” appeared first on NME. NewsFilm News Will Ferrell gave Christina Applegate pay from his own salary because ‘Anchorman’ offer was so “offensive” "I said I can’t. I know my worth, and I can’t do that" By Adam England 6th March 2026 Christina Applegate and Will Ferrell at an 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' special screening in New York City. CREDIT: Shane Gritzinger/FilmMagic via Getty Images Will Ferrell and Adam McKay gave Christina Applegate money from their own salaries when they worked together on Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy, the actress has revealed. Applegate was speaking on the US talk show The View when she recalled being given an offer much less than her male co-stars for her role as Veronica Corningstone in the 2004 movie. Advertisement “When they came in with the initial offer, it was, you know, a little offensive,” Applegate said. “And I said I can’t. I know my worth, and I can’t do that.” Director McKay and Ferrell, who played Burgundy, had to intervene. “They wanted me bad enough, and they said, ‘Well, we’re gonna chip in.’ Thank God they did because it was one of the best experiences of my entire life,” Applegate said of the pair, who also co-wrote the movie. “It was such a lesson. I had never done improv before. Learning from that group of dudes… that is the masterclass that people pay for. Steve Carell, like, taught it. Adam McKay developed an entire new way of doing it with his group. To get in there and have that happen was absolutely magic and it’s been invaluable to me and my career.” Applegate also looked back on how she felt “so scared every day of my life” while filming the movie, because McKay would encourage her, “‘Now, just do what you feel like doing.’” The actress would respond, “‘I want to say what you wrote. I don’t want to make stuff up.’” Recommended Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy was set in 1975 and focused on Burgundy, a newsreader in San Diego, and his clash with new reporter Corningstone. Alongside Ferrell, Applegate and Carell, the movie also starred the likes of Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell, Kathryn Hahn and Fred Armisen. Most of the main cast, including Ferrell and Applegate, returned for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues in 2013. In the years since, there’s been occasional discussion about a potential sequel – McKay suggesting sending Burgundy to war in 2018 – but Applegate has stepped away from the screen since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021. She’s currently promoting her memoir, You With The Sad Eyes, which was released on March 3. Related TopicsWill Ferrell You May Also Like Advertisement TRENDING James Ford talks us through the huge new War Child ‘Help(2)’ album – track-by-track The Kooks to play The Great Escape 20th anniversary show presented by NME ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ review: Tommy Shelby is back in business The biggest video game concerts you can’t miss in 2026 Chalk’s uncompromising dance-punk is fuelled by personal vulnerability and political questioning Advertisement More Stories Gaming News Pokémon hits out at The White House’ ‘Make America Great Again’ ‘Pokopia’ meme Film News Will Ferrell gave Christina Applegate pay from his own salary because ‘Anchorman’ offer was so “offensive” Film News Check out all the new Fontaines D.C. and Grian Chatten songs on the ‘Help(2)’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’ movie soundtrack – including epic Massive Attack... Film News Timothée Chalamet sparks controversy for saying “no one cares” about ballet and opera: “To take cheap shots at fellow artists shows a lot about... Film News Faith No More icon joins Jehnny Beth for snarling new single ‘Look At Me’ with ‘Taxi Driver’-inspired video Music News Arlo Parks announces 2026 ‘Desire’ tour in UK, Europe and North America