While there are several police procedural crime drama television shows that enjoy enduring popularity, Criminals Minds is a notch different from them. Renowned for its gripping storyline and dynamic cast of characters, the show features a group of criminal profilers. Yet, few have captured the fans’ hearts like Matthew Gray Gubler.
Starring as the brilliant and quirky Dr. Spencer Reid, the actor reportedly earned a jaw-dropping salary before he quit the beloved show due to certain issues.
How Much Did Matthew Gray Gubler Make from Criminal Minds?
Matthew Gray Gubler starred as the fan-favorite Dr. Spencer Reid for 15 seasons of Criminal Minds. Featured in nearly 300 or so episodes of the series, the actor had an unforgettable on-screen presence despite the show containing some stellar and talented actors.
Although he did not return when the series was rebooted with Criminal Minds: Evolution, the show was a highly lucrative one for the actor. Apart from propelling him to a household name, Gubler reportedly made over $150,000 per episode by the time it concluded (via Looper). Furthermore, as per The List, he apparently earned around $3.5 million annually from syndication.
In comparison to Gubler, here is what the rest of the cast of Criminal Minds made per episode: Kirsten Vangsness earned $100,000; A. J. Cook earned $100,000; Aisha Tyler earned at least $100,000; Paget Brewster earned $100,000 initially but by the end, it was $200,000; Adam Rodriguez earned $150,000; and Joe Mantegna reportedly earned more or less $130,000.
Thus, one of the highest-paid actors of Criminal Minds, not to mention a fan favorite, many hope that the actor will return to the series sometime in the future.
Why Did Matthew Gray Gubler Quit Criminal Minds?
Matthew Gray Gubler did not exactly quit Criminal Minds, for he was there till the series concluded in 2020 after its fifteenth season. But when it was revived under Criminal Minds: Evolution two years later, the actor did not return after having portrayed the character for over 15 years (via Deadline).
In an interview with The Six O’Clock Show, back in 2023, the actor revealed that the reason he was unable to return was due to scheduling conflicts with another project. Although he did remark back then that he is open to playing Reid again if the opportunity ever arises, which will be pretty easy to do since his character is still there in the show’s universe but away on a special assignment.
Even the showrunner, Erica Messer, revealed to TV Insider that the strikes further prevented Gubler’s return. But the cast and crew would love to have him back, as Messer stated. Gubler, along with Daniel Henney were the only two original cast members who did not return for the revival. But with the series having been renewed for an eighteenth season (via TVLine), fans hope they will get to see Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid again.