George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck has broken records as the highest-grossing non-musical play in history. The show, which Clooney cowrote, produced, and starred in, is nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Actor for Clooney.
Despite earning only $32 million at the domestic box office for its 2005 film adaptation, Good Night, and Good Luck has grossed over $44 million on Broadway in just 12 weeks. Forbes estimates Clooney will earn $6 million from his role in the show, a fraction of what Hollywood’s highest-paid actors can expect to make per movie project.
Clooney’s success on Broadway is not unique. Other A-list stars like Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal headline Othello, while Kieren Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, and Bill Burr lead Glengarry Glen Ross. The trend of short-run, star-driven productions has become increasingly popular among producers and investors.
These shows offer a safer financial bet for investors, with projections showing returns of 10-30% on their capital. A-list stars are typically paid a minimum weekly salary, often in the range of $100,000 per week, as an advance against a percentage of the show’s net gross.
The high ticket prices for these shows, averaging between $250-$400 for regular seats and $700-$900 for premium seats, have made them immune to traditional criticisms like negative reviews. According to review aggregator Did They Like It?, Good Night, and Good Luck received eight positive reviews, nine mixed reviews, and four negative reviews from major critics.
The appeal of seeing a movie star perform live remains strong, with theatergoers willing to pay top dollar for the experience. Clooney’s success on Broadway has proven that bankable stars can push ticket prices higher than ever before.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattcraig/2025/06/05/why-hollywood-stars-make-bank-on-broadway-for-producers