David Spade recently shared that he felt “treated badly” by Disney regarding his compensation for the popular animated film “The Emperor’s New Groove.” Known for voicing Cusco in the movie, he noted that his pay was significantly lower compared to other stars in animated films. He humorously mentioned that Disney portrayed the opportunity as an “honor” rather than a financially rewarding gig.
“I was told it was an honor to be in a Disney movie, which is why I didn’t earn much,” Spade reflected during a podcast episode. He noted the contrast when “Shrek” came out, explaining, “Everyone got $5 million. I thought, ‘What the heck is happening here?'”
Spade’s co-host, Dana Carvey, quipped, “He made $18,000. This movie made $100 billion,” to which Spade corrected, saying he actually earned $75,000, which he acknowledged was a lot—at least back then.
Denis Leary, a guest on the show, chimed in, remarking that comics generally don’t get paid well, asserting Disney was a “rip-off.” “They messed me up,” Spade agreed.
Earlier, Spade discussed the tumultuous journey of recording ‘Emperor’s New Groove.’ He initially signed on for a version of “The Princess and the Pauper” featuring Owen Wilson and Carla Gugino. “I worked on it for a year and a half, and then an executive didn’t like it and scrapped it all,” he explained. Instead, the concept of a talking llama was retained.
He recalled the frustration towards the end of the process, saying, “We were just improvising as we went along.” He also mentioned how he compared his earnings with salaries of the cast from “Shrek” to highlight his low pay. In his view, being in a Disney movie was supposed to be a big deal, but it felt more like an “honor” that didn’t translate into a lucrative contract—especially as the industry shifted towards substantial paydays.
Meanwhile, Leary also opened up on his podcast about expectations regarding compensation for a possible “Ice Age 6.” He observed that the streaming success of these films is more noticeable now, which could impact negotiations. “These films have been popular with both adults and kids,” he added.
Leary noted that he was in discussions with Ray Romano when approached about the new installment and said, “We need to look at the script to see if it’s good.” He emphasized that all three main characters agreed to return, underscoring the importance of quality in the projects they take on.
“We’re playing hard to get—but we also need a lot of money,” he joked. “And it worked out.”
