Cryer Reveals Massive Pay Gap With Charlie Sheen on ‘Two and a Half Men’

Jon Cryer disclosed Friday he earned only “a third” of Charlie Sheen’s salary during their time on the hit CBS sitcom, comparing his co-star’s negotiation tactics to a North Korean dictator.

The revelation emerged in Netflix’s new documentary “aka Charlie Sheen,” where Cryer explained how Sheen’s erratic behavior paradoxically increased his earning power while the show faced potential cancellation. The two-time Emmy winner’s comments shed new light on the behind-the-scenes financial dynamics of one of television’s most successful sitcoms.

Sheen’s Strategy Compared to Dictator Tactics

Cryer drew a striking comparison between Sheen’s approach and Kim Jong-Il’s diplomatic strategy in the documentary. “The dictator of North Korea was a guy named Kim Jong-Il. He acted crazy all the time and thus got enormous amounts of aid from countries who were so scared of him that they would shovel money at him,” Cryer explained. “Well, that’s what happened here.”

The actor described how Sheen was “falling apart in every way” while simultaneously renegotiating his contract for another season of the show they both starred in. Meanwhile, Cryer’s stable personal life resulted in significantly lower compensation despite being a co-lead on the series.

CBS’s Financial Calculations

According to Cryer, CBS had already “pre-sold a couple extra seasons of the show,” forcing the network to “spend this astonishing amount of money on Charlie” to keep the production viable. This pre-commitment created leverage that Sheen exploited during his personal struggles with addiction and public controversies.

Reports from 2011 indicated that Sheen was earning $1.9 million per episode, making him the highest-paid actor on television at the time. Cryer noted that “no one has matched the amount he was earning, and yet he squandered it”.

Documentary Revelations Surface

The Netflix documentary “aka Charlie Sheen” has brought renewed attention to the turbulent production history of “Two and a Half Men.” The film explores Sheen’s dismissal from the series in 2011 after publicly criticizing CBS, Warner Bros., and show creator Chuck Lorre.

Cryer expressed initial reluctance to participate in the documentary, stating, “I worked with Charlie Sheen for eight years. When we started, I had hair”. He voiced concerns about the cyclical nature of Sheen’s life, where he “repeatedly hits rock bottom only to rebound, bringing positivity until he ultimately self-sabotages again”.

Current Reboot Speculation

Recent speculation about a potential “Two and a Half Men” reboot has emerged following Sheen’s comments to Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday. Sheen expressed openness to returning “for the fans” to provide proper closure to the series.

However, Cryer has previously expressed reservations about working with Sheen again for an extended period. During a 2024 appearance on “The View,” he stated, “I care for him and wish him well, but I’m uncertain about partnering with him again for an extended period”.

Currently, no official announcements exist regarding the development of a “Two and a Half Men” reboot.