
The recent reunion between 'Parenthood' co-stars Dax Shepard and Lauren Graham was filled with surprise reveals from low salary and on-set romance between on-screen father-daughter duo.
- Mar 12, 2025
AceShowbiz - Dax Shepard, known for his role as Crosby Braverman on NBC's acclaimed drama "Parenthood", shared candid insights into his experience on the show. On the March 10 episode of his "Armchair Expert" podcast, the 50-year-old actor disclosed that he was "among the lowest of all the actors" in terms of salary during the show's six-season run from 2010 to 2015.
Shepard's revelations came during a conversation with his former co-star Lauren Graham. "[Early on] I made it a point to find out what everyone was making. I'd always figure it out - either through a conversation with them or by back channeling through an agent," he said. H
However, he decided to abandon this habit on the set of "Parenthood" to avoid potential dissatisfaction. "I was so happy on the show," he explained. "If I find out Jabbar [Tyree Brown] is making twice as much as me, how could I enjoy going to work?"
"I don't desire to act at all, but I deeply miss being on Parenthood," Shepard shared. "There is a version of that show I would probably do - if it were eight episodes or 10 episodes."
Despite the salary concerns, Shepard fondly recalls the camaraderie among the cast. The cast, including Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, and Craig T. Nelson, often faced challenges when organizing collective crew gifts.
"There were 13 cast members, and the amount of emails that would go back and forth to decide whether we're getting this mug or this... it was impossible," Shepard joked. "I was kinda like, 'Get them a mug, man.' " This humorous sentiment reflected his tight budget relative to his co-stars.
The podcast episode also a romantic entanglement between cast members. During the discussion, Graham accidentally revealed that Carlos Valdes is the father of Mae Whitman's son, stirring some buzz among fans. Whitman, who played Graham's on-screen daughter, had not previously disclosed this information.
The show's creator, Jason Katims, hinted at the possibility of a revival, noting, "The one that people always ask me about is Parenthood... I feel like it's interesting with that show. It's like enough time has gone by that it would be interesting to revisit it now." While there are no concrete plans, Katims expressed enthusiasm about the potential.
"Parenthood" remains a beloved series that delved into the complexities of family life and personal struggles, leaving a lasting impact on its fans. For Shepard, while his role on the show may have come with financial challenges, it also brought immense joy and fulfillment through the relationships and experiences he shared with his fellow cast members.
"Parenthood" is available for streaming in full on Hulu.