The actor opens up about pay disparities behind one of TV’s biggest sitcoms.

September 12, 2025 – Jon Cryer is shedding new light on his time starring in CBS’s hit sitcom Two and a Half Men, revealing that his paycheck was significantly smaller than that of his costar, Charlie Sheen. Despite both being central to the show’s success, Cryer says he was earning only about one-third of Sheen’s salary during the height of its popularity.

Pay Disparity Behind the Laughter

Speaking in a new interview, Cryer admitted that while he was grateful for the opportunity and stability the long-running sitcom brought him, the vast gap in compensation between himself and Sheen was difficult to ignore. Sheen, who played the charming yet troubled Charlie Harper, was one of the highest-paid actors on television at the time, reportedly earning close to $1.8 million per episode before his infamous departure.

Cryer, meanwhile, confirmed that his paycheck was just a fraction of that—despite his equally critical role as Alan Harper, the unlucky-in-love brother whose misadventures anchored much of the show’s humor.

‘I Wasn’t in a Position to Negotiate’

Cryer explained that the power dynamics at the time played a big role in the pay gap. “Charlie was already a massive movie star before the show,” he said. “I didn’t have the same leverage. I was just happy to have steady work on a show that was connecting with audiences.”

While he acknowledges the inequity, Cryer emphasized that he doesn’t hold resentment toward Sheen. Instead, he framed the situation as an example of how Hollywood often prioritizes star power over ensemble contribution.

A Complicated Legacy

Two and a Half Men ran for 12 seasons, becoming one of the most successful sitcoms of the 2000s and 2010s. Sheen’s off-screen controversies eventually led to his firing in 2011, with Ashton Kutcher stepping in to keep the series alive for four more years. Cryer remained until the end, cementing his place as the only actor to appear in every single episode of the series.

Looking Back Without Regrets

Despite the imbalance in pay, Cryer says he remains grateful for the experience. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he shared. “Would I have liked to be paid more fairly? Of course. But I also recognize how lucky I was to be part of something that resonated with so many people for so long.”

The revelation has reignited conversations about salary disparities in Hollywood, particularly in long-running shows where multiple actors contribute equally to the success yet aren’t compensated proportionally.