Bruce Willis Strikes Gold: How He Raked in $100 Million for ‘The Sixth Sense’ Despite a $14 Million Salary

Bruce Willis, renowned for his talent and fame, made a whopping $100 million from the blockbuster hit ‘The Sixth Sense,' despite initially negotiating a $14 million salary.

His remarkable net worth and earnings throughout his illustrious career guarantee a seamless retirement.

Let's delve into the details of how Willis managed to secure such a lucrative deal for the movie.

A Glimpse into Bruce Willis's Career

Willis kick-started his acting journey in the 1980s, making an uncredited appearance in the film ‘The First Deadly Sin.'

However, it was his role in the television series ‘Moonlighting' that propelled him to mainstream success.

The actor's portrayal earned him numerous nominations, including Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nods.

The Turning Point: ‘Die Hard'

In 1988, Willis attained the status of an action movie star with his breakthrough role in ‘Die Hard.'

This performance garnered critical acclaim and opened doors to more opportunities.

However, not all his endeavors were equally successful.

An Untimely Demise: ‘Broadway Brawler'

In 1997, Willis secured a role in the sports comedy ‘Broadway Brawler,' intended to follow the path of the Tom Cruise-led comedy-drama ‘Jerry Maguire.'

Unfortunately, the film never saw the light of day due to Willis's actions.

Anyone who clashed with the star was promptly fired and replaced.

By the time half of the crew had been replaced, the movie had already incurred a cost of $17 million, leading to its eventual demise.

Compensation and a New Deal

To make up for the financial loss caused by ‘Broadway Brawler,' Willis agreed to a three-picture deal with Disney, which required him to take a pay cut of $17 million.

This deal led to the creation of ‘The Sixth Sense,' ‘Armageddon,' and ‘The Kid,' all produced for less money than Willis's usual asking price of $20 million.

A Lucrative Supplement: Willis's ‘The Sixth Sense' Deal

When Willis signed on to star in ‘The Sixth Sense,' he initially received an upfront payment of $14 million.

Considering the movie's $40 million budget, the actor's salary consumed a significant portion of the funds.

However, Willis skillfully negotiated a remarkable deal.

According to The Richest, Willis managed to secure 17% of the film's global box office gross, along with additional rights to its home video sales.

This negotiation was undoubtedly a risky move, especially for the studio, but it ultimately paid off.

‘The Sixth Sense' Triumphs

‘The Sixth Sense' emerged as a colossal success, earning a staggering $672 million worldwide.

It became the second highest-grossing film of 1999.

As a result, Willis ended up pocketing a whopping $114 million for his contribution to the movie.

This clever negotiation tactic proved to be a stroke of genius, as it saved him from missing out on over $80 million had he stuck to his usual asking price.

Bruce Willis's Net Worth

Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Willis's net worth amounts to $250 million.

In addition to his impressive earnings from ‘The Sixth Sense,' the outlet highlights his substantial income from the ‘Die Hard' franchise, which totals nearly $80 million, including a $25 million payday for the fourth film.

Furthermore, Willis earned $20 million for his voice work in ‘Look Who's Talking'