In 1957, Steve McQueen was paid $2,500 for his first starring role in a movie. One rash decision cost him $400,000

In 1957, Steve McQueen took his first starring role in the science-fiction horror film *The Blob*, accepting $2,500 upfront rather than a share of the film’s earnings. The film became a major independent hit, leaving him with far less money than he might have earned, though it also helped launch his acting career.

McQueen was reportedly offered a choice between taking his salary immediately or receiving 10 per cent of the gross; he needed money at the time and did not trust the film to succeed. *The Blob* went on to earn about $4 million, and a percentage could have been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Co-writer Kate Phillips recalled that she and McQueen were each due $150 plus a share, but neither received the percentage, so the precise deal remains unclear.