Hollywood’s Highest-paid Non-Appearance: Actor Earns $15 Million for Three Words
An actor secured a $15 million payday for uttering just three words in a film, without ever being seen on screen – a Hollywood anomaly that remains one of the industry’s most talked-about compensation stories. The unusual deal highlights the power of voice acting and the strategic value placed on recognizable talent, even in unseen roles.
The actor in question is Elwood Bredell,and the film was 1979’s The Dark Crystal,directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Bredell provided the voice of Jen, the Gelfling protagonist, but his physical performance was entirely replaced by puppetry. While the film was a visual landmark, it was the casting of a known actor – even one remaining hidden – that contributed to the studio’s marketing strategy and ultimately, Bredell’s exceptional fee.
According to reports from the time, Universal Pictures sought a recognizable name to lend credibility to the fantasy epic, despite the character being entirely a puppet. Bredell, a working actor with credits in television and film, was chosen. His three lines – “Time to stop the dying” – became central to the film’s narrative and were prominently featured in promotional materials. The studio agreed to pay him $15 million (equivalent to over $63 million today, adjusted for inflation) for his vocal contribution, a sum that shocked the industry.
The decision to pay such a large sum for minimal on-screen work stemmed from a desire to attract a wider audience. Studio executives believed a familiar voice would elevate the film’s profile and reassure viewers unfamiliar with puppet-driven narratives. while The Dark Crystal wasn’t a massive box office success upon its initial release, it has since gained a cult following and remains a celebrated achievement in fantasy filmmaking, and Bredell’s story continues to circulate as a testament to Hollywood’s unpredictable financial landscape.