Compared to other classic shows, Miami vice (1984-89) did not dominate the odds for a particularly long period. After a slow season 1, the series kicked off just before the start of season 2. Then Vice began its decline in Season 3. But the show continued to rock high profile guest stars.

Miami vice was hard to outdo when it came to these guest stars. An unknown Jimmy Smits arrived in the pilot; Ed O’Neill shone in episode 2; Dennis Farina recorded during episode 6; Bruce Willis arrived in episode 7; etc. This tradition continued through seasons 2 and 3.

In season 4, with media reports focused on the show’s slide in ratings, Miami vice still had attraction for actors at different stages of their careers. And they weren’t doing it for the money. Guest stars received remarkably low salaries – even with inflation in mind.

Brian Dennehy won $ 2,500 for his appearance in Miami Vice in 1987

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As Willis, O’Neill and Smits began their acting careers on Miami viceBrian Dennehy was already a legitimate movie star when he took on the role of televangelist Billy Bob Proverb in “Amen… Send Money” (Season 4 Episode 3) in 1987.

Dennehy had received nearly higher billing on Rambo: first blood, F / X, Gorky park, and other great movies of the 80s. And Bestseller came out just as he appeared on Vice. Executive producer Michael Mann used Dennehy as an example of Miami Vice shoot late in the show run.

“We’re still able to attract people who don’t do episodic TV,” Mann told The Sun Sentinel in 87. “It’s because the actors want to do the show.” To nail his point, Mann was remarkably outspoken about the type of compensation his guests were receiving.

“Brian Dennehy gets $ 1 million per movie,” Mann told The Sun Sentinel. “He got $ 2,500 for Miami Vice.” Indeed, that amount might not have covered much more than a first class return ticket to Los Angeles.

‘Miami Vice’ has served as a springboard for countless actors

While Dennehy established himself in the industry (at least as much as possible) at the time of his Miami vice concert, many actors who have found great fame later arrived on the sets of the series with nowhere to go.

Willis could be at the top of this list. Back when he starred as Tony Amato in “No Exit,” Willis had no credit to his name. Moonlight came the following year. O’Neill had worked on television productions, but he was far from a household name in ’84. Married with children started airing three years later.

John Turturro is another actor whose credit list was slim when he appeared in “Rites of Passage” (Season 1 Episode 16). His run in feature films began after this appearance. In the case of Stanley Tucci, three appearances (as two different characters) on Vice contributed to the launch of his long career in the company.