We got this story while back on Facebook. It was posted by Drew Cline and we had to pass it on. John Larroquette, the Emmy-winning actor known for his role in Night Court, confirmed a long-standing rumor about his work on the 1974 horror classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Larroquette narrated the film’s iconic prologue, but rather than being paid in cash, he got a bunch of weed for his compensation.
Larroquette explained that he and the film’s director, Tobe Hooper, became friends when he was working as a bartender in Colorado in 1969. When Larroquette moved to Hollywood in 1973 to pursue his acting career, Hooper reached out, asking him to narrate the prologue for his low-budget horror film. As a favor to his friend, Larroquette agreed and received marijuana, a common barter item during that time in return.
Despite the unconventional payment, the film went on to become a massive success, grossing over $30 million on a budget of just $100,000, and solidifying its place as a seminal work in the horror genre. Larroquette’s association with the franchise didn’t end there. He’s narrated several of its sequels, most recently in 2022. Reflecting on the experience, he humorously noted that while he was paid in weed in the ’70s, he started receiving monetary compensation by the ’90s. Despite his involvement, Larroquette admitted he has never actually watched any of the films. Turns out John is not a fan of horror movies.