John Cryer reportedly earned significantly less than his “Two and a Half Men” co-star, Charlie Sheen.
During the sitcom’s final season, Sheen pulled in nearly $2 million per episode, while Cryer received about two-thirds of that amount—around $620,000 for each episode.
This disparity is discussed in a Netflix documentary titled “AKA Charlie Sheen,” which covers Sheen’s career and his tumultuous struggles with substance abuse.
Cryer shares that the negotiations for Sheen’s contract went haywire because Sheen’s personal life was spiraling out of control.
He even drew a comparison to the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, noting how terrifying influences often lead to bizarre behavior. “His life was falling apart, so negotiations fell off the charts,” Cryer said. “I got a third of that, simply because I was pretty good at my job.”
The pressures on CBS were immense, especially since the network had already committed to extending the show for additional seasons.
Ultimately, Sheen was dismissed from the show in 2011 due to his erratic behavior, including public criticism of the show’s creator and claims he was undervalued.
After his dismissal, Sheen went on a public tour, famously declaring he had “Tiger Blood.”
Ashton Kutcher took over Sheen’s role, and the series continued for four more seasons.
Cryer’s pay eventually reached $620,000, while Kutcher earned $700,000 per episode.
The documentary also features interviews with Sheen’s childhood friends, including Sean Penn, and his ex-wives, Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller.
Richards recalled how producers would often call her to check on Sheen when they hadn’t heard from him. During one visit to his house, she found herself making sandwiches for him—much to Cryer’s concern, as he asked, “What are you doing?”
The documentary also touches upon Sheen’s struggles with addiction and reveals his HIV diagnosis for the first time.
