Christina Applegate Praises Will Ferrell and Adam McKay for Anchorman Salary Support
Christina Applegate made a heartfelt tribute to her friend and longtime colleague Will Ferrell during a recent appearance on Wednesday's episode of The View. The 54-year-old actress, who was promoting her new memoir You With the Sad Eyes, shared a revealing anecdote about her experience filming the 2004 comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Initial Offer Deemed 'Offensive'
Applegate recalled that the first salary offer she received for the role was significantly lower than expected, describing it as 'a little offensive' in an interview with People. She emphasized her self-worth, stating, 'I know my worth, and I can't do that.' This moment came as she has been managing the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) in recent years, a condition detailed in her book alongside other personal revelations like her double mastectomy.
Ferrell and McKay Step In
In a generous move, co-star Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay, whose salaries were much higher than Applegate's, decided to chip in portions of their own pay to increase her compensation. Applegate expressed deep gratitude, noting, '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.' She highlighted the close bond formed with Ferrell during filming, which has endured over two decades.
Career-Defining Experience
Working on the 1970s-set comedy, which satirized the chauvinistic world of a San Diego news team, proved to be transformative for Applegate's career. She described it as 'such a lesson,' particularly as she had never done improv before. Learning from co-stars like Steve Carell and the innovative methods developed by Adam McKay was, in her words, 'the masterclass that people pay for.' She added, 'To get in there and have that happen was absolutely magic, and it's been invaluable to me and my career.'
Personal Struggles Revealed in Memoir
Elsewhere in her memoir, released on Tuesday, Applegate opened up about her ongoing battle with MS and body dysmorphia. She disclosed that initial weight gain of 40 pounds often 'bothered me more than the disease,' leading her to avoid mirrors for a year. Due to stomach issues related to MS, she was put on a clear-liquid diet, resulting in a dangerous weight loss of over 50 pounds within seven months. She wrote, 'These days, my legs are tinier than they've ever been,' expressing concern about muscle loss and increased risk of injury.
Applegate, diagnosed with MS in August 2021 at age 49 while filming the final season of Dead to Me, shared poignant details of her health struggles. She described how cravings, like for tamales, are tempered by fear of ending up in the ER. Despite the physical challenges, she remains resilient, stating, 'This is the sickness. But she's not going to win.' Her memoir leaves few stones unturned, offering a candid look at her life and career.
