Christina Applegate reveals Will Ferrell gave up part of his salary for her

Christina Applegate has revealed that her role in the cult classic Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was nearly derailed by an "offensive" initial salary offer.

Appearing on The View to promote her new memoir, You with the Sad Eyes, the four-time Golden Globe nominee opened up about the gender pay gap she faced before filming began in 2004.

Applegate, who portrayed the ambitious news anchor Veronica Corningstone, admitted she was prepared to walk away from the project to maintain her professional integrity.

“When they came in with the initial offer, it was a little offensive,” she shared. “And I said, ‘I can’t. I know my worth, and I can’t do that.’” In a rare show of industry solidarity, the film’s star Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay stepped in to bridge the financial gap using their own salaries.

“They wanted me bad enough, and they said, ‘Well, we’re gonna chip in,’” Applegate recalled. The actress described the eventual filming experience as "magic" and a career-defining "masterclass" in improvisation.

She credited the production with providing invaluable lessons alongside comedy heavyweights like Steve Carell.

The revelation comes as Applegate reflects on her extensive career following her 2021 diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, which led to her retirement from onscreen acting.

She expressed deep gratitude for the duo’s intervention, noting that the opportunity became one of the most cherished experiences of her life. The story serves as a poignant reminder that the battle for equality often happens far away from the cameras.