In Hollywood, an actor's salary doesn't always reflect the eventual impact of their role in film history. Many actors who are now global stars accepted relatively low pay when they started their careers, either because they were still building their names or because they were eager to be part of a project. These contracts, in retrospect, often seem surprisingly modest. Sean Astin, who played Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, was already known for his role in The Goonies but was not yet an international superstar. He accepted a salary of around $250,000 for the entire trilogy, which later became a global phenomenon, grossing billions and winning 17 Oscars. Astin later noted that his financial conditions were far below what the films' success warranted. Harrison Ford, who portrayed Han Solo in Star Wars in 1977, was still seeking new roles at the time. He was paid approximately $1,000 per week during filming, with the possibility of profit-sharing. No one could have predicted that Star Wars would become one of the most influential franchises in cinema history. Ford's career soared after the film's success, establishing him as a Hollywood icon. Gal Gadot received a base salary of $300,000 for her role in Wonder Woman (2017), despite the film's massive budget of about $150 million. The movie became a worldwide hit, earning over $800 million. For the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, she negotiated a significantly higher salary, estimated at around $10 million. Jim Carrey was paid about $350,000 for his role in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, before becoming one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. The film was a huge success, and Carrey's earning power skyrocketed, leading to millions for Dumb and Dumber and about $15 million for the Ace Ventura sequel. Jonah Hill accepted a salary of around $60,000 for his role in The Wolf of Wall Street, which matched the SAG-AFTRA minimum wage at the time. The film, with a budget of $100 million, became a massive international success. Hill received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. These stories share a common theme: none of these actors could have predicted the impact of their films. Sean Astin joined The Lord of the Rings before its legendary status was clear. Harrison Ford became Han Solo while still searching for his breakout role. Gal Gadot carried Wonder Woman with a modest salary. Jim Carrey's early success paved the way for his later high earnings. Jonah Hill accepted a small paycheck to work with Martin Scorsese. In hindsight, these salaries may seem laughably low, but they remind us that in Hollywood, an actor's pay largely depends on their negotiation power at the time of signing. Sometimes, a small salary can lead to a legendary role—and permanently transform a career.