Lil Rel Howery Says His ‘Get Out’ Role ‘Changed The Pay Scale’ For Him In Hollywood And Made Him A Household Name
When the trailer for Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, “Get Out,” was released, it became one of the most highly anticipated films of 2017.
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, the psychological thriller became a box-office hit and grossed over $256 million worldwide, according to IMDb. What’s more, the film won an Academy Award in 2018 for “Best Original Screenplay,” making Peele the first Black writer to win in the category, and was the catalyst for Kaluuya’s career in Hollywood.
Another “Get Out” breakout star was Lil Rel Howery, who played TSA agent Rod Williams. In an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, the comedian and actor revealed what he earned from the film.
“‘Get Out’ was on a Tubi budget,” Howery said jokingly to Sharpe. “I did that for the minimum [per the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists].”
According to “Club Shay Shay,” Howery earned less than $3,000 per week during filming.
Nonetheless, it was Howery’s first feature film, and he was overjoyed for the opportunity. He also recalled knowing that the film was special. However, initially, he and his fellow castmates had no clue what the aftermath of its release would be — but Peele knew. Following the movie’s trailer going viral and Universal Pictures giving the movie more funding, Howery said that he received a call from Peele.
“While he was editing it, he called me and said, ‘Man, get ready. Know your price. Know your number,’” Howery recounted. “I ain’t know what the f–k that meant. I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘Aight, you gon’ see. Them scripts finna be coming.’”
And Peele’s prediction became a reality. Howery said that the role “changed the pay scale” for him and turned him into a household name in entertainment.
“We’re only in 2024 now that I think about it,” Howery said. “And I’m like dang the last five to six years have been f–king crazy.”
He added, “As a person who comes from BET’s “ComicView”… to being in Oscar-nominated movies, streaming-breaking movies, it’s crazy to me.”
Since “Get Out,” Howery has starred in “The Carmichael Show,” “Bird Box,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” and more. According to Entertainment Weekly, 2018’s “Bird Box” was streamed by over 45 million Netflix accounts in its first seven days — breaking the streaming giant’s viewing record at the time.
In addition, “Get Out” isn’t the only box-office smash under his belt. To name just a few, the lineup includes “Good Boys,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” and “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.” As for “Free Guy,” which he starred in alongside Ryan Reynolds, it raked in over $331 million globally, per IMDb.
