Barbra Streisand Still Upset Over ‘Meet the Fockers’ Salary, Demands Big Pay for Sequel
Legendary EGOT winner Barbra Streisand hasn’t forgotten her past compensation for the popular “Meet the Parents” film franchise, specifically the 2004 sequel “Meet the Fockers.” The acclaimed actress and singer recently revealed she remains significantly dissatisfied with her salary for that film, stating she is still “pissed off” about being paid less than some of her co-stars. This lingering frustration is now directly impacting the possibility of her return for the newly announced fourth installment in the series.
Streisand, who memorably portrayed Roz Focker, the free-spirited mother of Ben Stiller’s character, Greg Focker, in “Meet the Fockers” and the 2010 sequel “Little Fockers,” explained that her lower pay was indicative of a time when women in Hollywood were generally compensated less than their male counterparts. While she acknowledged that the head of Universal at the time, Ron Meyer, did send her a bonus check, describing it as “very sweet,” this gesture evidently didn’t fully resolve her feeling of being undervalued relative to the prominent ensemble cast, which included stars like Dustin Hoffman (as her on-screen husband Bernie Focker), Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, and Teri Polo.
A Condition for Return: Substantial Compensation
With a fourth “Meet the Parents” film now moving forward, Streisand has made her stance clear regarding her potential participation: it will require substantial financial compensation. Original cast members Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, and Owen Wilson are expected to reprise their roles for the planned November 25, 2026 release, written and directed by John Hamburg, who also co-wrote the previous films. However, Streisand’s return is presented as highly uncertain unless her salary demands are met.
She explicitly stated, “They’d have to pay me a lot of money,” directly linking this demand to her past dissatisfaction. “because I didn’t get paid what the other people got paid and so I’m pissed off,” she clarified, highlighting that the perceived inequity from “Meet the Fockers” remains a key factor in her decision-making for any future sequel.
Hollywood Pay Disparity: A Persistent Issue
Streisand’s experience sheds light on the long-standing issue of pay disparity within the entertainment industry. Her complaint about receiving less than co-stars in a highly successful film is not an isolated incident. Numerous actors have spoken out over the years about receiving disproportionately low upfront salaries, facing unclear or unfair terms regarding profit participation (“points”), or even not being compensated for the reuse of their work.
For example, Seann William Scott reportedly received only $8,000 for his iconic role as Stifler in the massive 1999 hit ‘American Pie,’ a sum so low he had to take a job selling churros at the zoo afterward. Other instances, like John Cusack’s claims of questionable accounting preventing him from seeing profits on ‘Say Anything,’ or Devon Sawa not being paid for a cameo using archival footage in ‘Final Destination 5,’ underscore how actors, even in crucial roles in profitable projects, can face significant compensation challenges.
This broader context indicates that Streisand’s frustration with her “Meet the Fockers” salary is part of a larger, systemic issue regarding how value and compensation are determined in Hollywood, particularly concerning established stars in ensemble casts.
Beyond the Fockers: Streisand’s Current Work
Despite her conditional stance on the “Meet the Parents” sequel, Streisand remains active professionally. She recently released a new album, “The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two.” Notably, the album features a collaboration with Ariana Grande, who is set to appear in an undisclosed role in the upcoming fourth “Meet the Parents” film.
Streisand also continues to receive various acting offers, though she describes many as unappealing. She has spoken about a long-held desire to star in a film adaptation of “Gypsy” as a potential bookend to her career, paralleling her start with “Funny Girl,” but noted that time has made it difficult to realize. She is currently involved in the production of a multi-part documentary about her own life but has expressed disinterest in directing films again herself after her experience with “Yentl.”
For now, whether audiences will see Roz Focker return to the big screen alongside the likes of Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro in “Meet the Parents 4” hinges directly on whether Universal is willing to meet Barbra Streisand’s demand for a salary that she feels finally reflects her value and compensates for past perceived inequities.
References
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