Disney offered a 13-year-old $2 million to sing in The Lion King—his mom took $100k plus royalties instead. He’s still getting paid 32 years later
Jason Weaver's mom once backed Aretha Franklin. She bet on royalties over Disney's cash—and it's paid more than the $2 million he gave up
In 1994, 13-year-old Jason Weaver was offered a staggering $2 million by Disney to play young Simba in The Lion King. However, his mother Marilyn "Kitty" Haywood declined the offer, instead negotiating for royalties and around $100,000 upfront. Weaver now 47 years old, continues to receive payments from The Lion King decades later and has amassed a net worth estimated between $4 million and $7 million.
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