What are actors paid for commercials?

Question

Ive heard local ads they are paid $700 but on a national ad its more like $300,000. Is this true? What about the people who do quick comments, like that really scary redhaired chick on the Vonage ads?
I know in the vast scheme of things its not important, but this is the only place to ask such questions with the possibility of an answer.

Answer 1

I hear you can make a lot if you host an infomercial... if you get casted in a commercial and no one knows you, probably not alot, but if you are a celebrity, they practically beg you and pay you millions

Answer 2

It depends on how well known the actor is. For example, those Geico commercials who have real people tell their stories and than an actual actor acting it out. (I put on my tangerine lip gloss)

-Now the person who is telling their story probably wrote to Geico talking about their experience and had offered to share it in a commerical. This means that this person probably didnt get paid or got paid very little ($200). But lets say Geico really liked this persons story and thought that it would be great to have the real actor telling their story to be Paris Hilton, than due to the high demand she would probably get paid four to five figures for being in a 30 second commerical.

Answer 3

There are many variables.

Union or non-union.
local / regional or national.
How long the spot is scheduled to run.

$300,000 for a national spot that runs for a significant time is probably not unrealistic.

Answer 4

Based on this article, they get paid something like $4,200 for two days for making a commerical. It can sometimes be more than that, depending on the actor.

http://www.minorcon.org/residuals.html

Answer 5

they range, some can be 50! ( if your an extra) and the amount just goes up. depends on the actor too

Answer 6

Money. It depends if you speak or not.