United Kingdom, March 6 -- Will Ferrell gave a share of his pay for Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy to Christina Applegate after she received an "offensive" offer to star in the movie.

The 54-year-old actress played Veronica Corningstone in the 2004 comedy, which is set in a 1970s newsroom and she turned down the initial contract for the role, only for her co-star and director Adam McKay - who had written the film together - to agree to donate money from their own paycheques to make up the shortfall.

Speaking on The View, Christina said: "When they came in with the initial offer, it was a little offensive.

"And I said, 'I can't. I know my worth, and I can't do that.' They wanted me bad enough, and they said, 'Well, we're gonna ch...