Actors Known Who Are Cheapskates

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Hollywood is known for huge paychecks, but surprisingly, some of its biggest stars are famous for being very careful with their money. While many celebrities enjoy lavish lifestyles, a certain group of male actors have gained a reputation for being extremely frugal, even refusing to tip. Stories from people who work in the service industry and details from autobiographies reveal a different side to how these wealthy actors handle their finances. From arguing over small charges to even asking fans for loans, several actors have been publicly identified as being particularly thrifty.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire, known for playing Spider-Man, is famous for being very careful with his money, especially when large sums are involved. Molly Bloom wrote in her memoir, Molly’s Game, that he would supposedly ask her to “bark like a seal” in exchange for a $1,000 poker chip and was consistently a bad tipper. People involved in Los Angeles’s private poker games also say he was usually the most budget-conscious player, even though he’s made a lot of money from movies. This careful spending reportedly carries over into his everyday life, where he avoids showing off his wealth like many other celebrities.

Jeremy Piven

Jeremy Piven, famous for his role as Ari Gold on ‘Entourage’, received a lot of criticism after an incident at a fancy restaurant in Aspen. He allegedly left a DVD of his show instead of a cash tip for the servers. The restaurant manager supposedly banned him, calling his actions disrespectful to restaurant workers. Though Piven’s team has sometimes questioned how serious the claims were, the story has stuck with him and contributed to a reputation for being unwilling to spend money.

Robert De Niro

Despite a long and successful career and considerable wealth, actor Robert De Niro has often been described as someone who is very careful with his money. Several reports from New York City restaurant and service workers claim he frequently challenges small charges on his bills and often leaves small tips. Staff at various establishments say the Oscar-winning actor carefully reviews receipts for any errors before paying. This careful approach to spending seems unusual given his role as a co-founder of the popular and profitable Nobu restaurant chain.

Warren Beatty

Warren Beatty, the famous actor known for films like ‘Heaven Can Wait,’ is well-known in Hollywood for being remarkably thrifty. Stories in various biographies, including Peter Biskind’s Star, detail how Beatty would often ask friends or colleagues to cover his meals and transportation. People who worked with him during his most successful years say he consistently relied on studio resources or the kindness of others instead of spending his own money. This habit became a long-running joke among those close to him and his business associates.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn has faced public criticism regarding his tipping habits in restaurants and other service businesses. Reports have surfaced, including one incident where he allegedly complained about a small restaurant bill and didn’t leave a tip. People working in the service industry have shared similar stories, suggesting he can be demanding but reluctant to spend money when paying. Despite his significant charitable work internationally, he’s often named on lists of celebrities known for poor tipping.

Will Smith

Will Smith, star of ‘King Richard,’ has publicly shared stories about frequently being short on cash and needing help from others to pay for small things. He recounted on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ how he once ran out of gas and had to borrow $10 from a fan because he didn’t have his wallet. While some see these moments as absentmindedness, others believe it’s a pattern of Smith avoiding spending money. This reputation for being unintentionally thrifty is often surprising, considering he’s one of the highest-paid actors ever.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher, a successful tech investor and actor known from ‘Two and a Half Men,’ is surprisingly committed to living a very frugal life. He’s often talked about growing up with limited money, which shaped his habit of avoiding expensive purchases and unnecessary spending. He’s even admitted to wearing the same shoes for years! Despite making millions through his business ventures, he’s known for being careful with his personal finances, leading some in Hollywood to consider him one of the most thrifty celebrities around.

Mark Wahlberg

Look, as a film fan, I’ve heard a lot of chatter over the years about Mark Wahlberg and, honestly, it’s not always positive. Apparently, there are stories floating around from people who’ve worked with him – waiters, folks in the industry – that he sometimes doesn’t want to pay for smaller things. I’ve heard he’ll ‘forget’ his wallet and expect someone else – his team or even the restaurant staff – to cover it. It’s a bit of a weird contrast, because he projects this image of being a successful businessman and is very public with his charity work, plus he’s known for being super disciplined in his career. It just feels…off, you know? This little thing keeps popping up and sticking to his reputation.

Share your thoughts on these Hollywood spending habits in the comments.

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2026-02-12 16:45