BRIEF

 Pop quiz: Who was paid the first $1 million by an actor in one movie? What year was it? Let me give you an idea. It's an actress. Another clue: JFK was alive when the film premiered. Also, I've never seen the movie and if you're not over 50, then you probably haven't also. Cue the jeopardy theme music...Ready for the answer? Elizabeth Taylor was the first actor to earn $1 million from a single film. The feat was made possible by the film of 1963 "Cleopatra". FYI the figure of the sum of $1 million in 1963 is the equivalent of $7.7 million in today's dollars. The original budget for the film of $2 million comprised $1 million. Since Cleopatra's production went downhill it was "projected". After spending $5 million over the span of six months ($40 million today) The producers realized that they had no useable footage, and they were forced to start from scratch. After inflation adjustment the film cost $31 million. Because of budgetary overruns Liz's paycheck swelled to $7 million. It's the same as an actor earning $54 million per movie.