Money losers of 2008: Michael Hollick, voice actor in Grand Theft Auto IV

Take-Two Interactive's (NASDAQ: TTWO) Grand Theft Auto IV has made a lot of money. It's been the recent driving force for the software publisher's fortunes. And the Grand Theft Auto franchise is the reason why Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) made a bid for the company earlier in the year (that transaction was never ultimately consummated).

But there's something of a sad story behind the glitz and glamor of the game. According to The New York Times, an actor named Michael Hollick, who played a character named Niko Bellic in the fourth Grand Theft Auto, received a small pittance in compensation when compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue that Take-Two took home for itself. Did Hollick earn only $2 million? $1 million? Did he only make $500,000?

[Elven6]

Since when has 100k for a few weeks work become a crap salary? A majority of North Americans would be lucky to make close to that a year!

The work done by this guy fails in comparison to the work done by Rockstar who are being compensated from the extra revenue of their work.

[cheapndirty]

His big break. Now his name is out there and his agent can get him better pay on the next gig. There are many actors out there that get paid a comparative pittance for their work while the movies goes on to make millions. But it ends up being there big break.

[Elven6]

Yea I know that, this guy was complaining when the game launched as well despite receiving overnight popularity.

[morganfell]

What he received is known as the industry rate. Only the imperceptive would have failed to guess how big the game would be. If he didn't like the money he should have passed on the job. This isn't the first time he has made a public issue out of his pay. He may not realize it but he is complaining himself out of future work. Besides, voice talent with more ability than he possesses have drawn the same money for more work.

When it comes to VO work, he is a small talent fish in a big talent pond when you look at not only known professional actors but people like the cast of the Soul Reaver series. Now there is voice talent in spades.

[theEnemy]

somebody else will.

Somebody else will bite that $100,000.

[CoolTrainer]

Whoa all he did was supply his voice for 15 months, that equates to a salary of like $90,000 a year for one person and if he was married his household brought in much more money. He didnt even have hard labor to do lol.

Easiest 100K anyone could ever earn I dare say.

[Horny Melon]

which main character voice acting can net you quite a bit along with royalties

[Close_Second]

...His voice acting was ok. Certainly no Al Pacino or Robert De Niro. Its suited the game but did not make the game.

[nirun]

throw a mic in front of me
tape some light bulbs over my body for mocap
i'll put my best borat impersonation on the table
and you toss me a 100 thou

deal or no deal?

[Elven6]

I'm surprised no one caught the image :p

[Enigma_2099]

That's still more than I earn in a YEAR!!!!