In the film industry, discussions about the persistent wage gap between men and women continue, even as women increasingly take on leading roles.
For the second year in a row, Scarlett Johansson reigns supreme as the top-earning actress of 2019, as reported by Forbes magazine.
Following her role in "Avengers: Endgame," the 34-year-old Johansson saw her earnings rise by a staggering $15.5 million compared to 2018. Her involvement in the successful Marvel saga boosted her earnings to $35 million.
In 2020, Johansson will reprise her role as "Black Widow" in a highly anticipated spin-off film, where she commands a substantial eight-figure paycheck for her lead role.
Elisabeth Moss and Margot Robbie have also joined the ranks, and the list sees the remarkable return of Sofia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon, securing positions in the top ten.
Collectively, these ten actresses earned a staggering $314.6 million between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019, marking a remarkable 69% increase over the previous year's total.
However, disparities in earnings between Hollywood actors and actresses persist, despite the strides made toward equity in the film industry. The top ten highest-paid actors alone amassed $588.3 million, a sum that surpasses by several million dollars what their female counterparts earned during the same period, even though women are playing increasingly prominent roles in cinema.
For instance, Scarlett Johansson's "Avengers" co-star, Robert Downey Jr., earned approximately $55 million for his portrayal of Iron Man in "Endgame."
According to Forbes magazine's ranking of the world's highest-paid actors, Robert Downey Jr. occupies the third spot with $66 million, trailing behind Chris Hemsworth ($76.4 million) and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson ($89.4 million).
These figures underscore the continued existence of a substantial wage gap, highlighting the ongoing need for efforts to equalize salaries between male and female actors.
Numerous actresses have bravely spoken out against the industry's wage discrimination, shedding light on various instances of disparity. Claire Foy, known for her role in the Netflix series "The Crown," publicly highlighted the pay gap between her and her on-screen partner, Matt Smith.
Another noteworthy case involved Jennifer Lawrence, who, in 2015, revealed that her male co-stars were earning more than her, thanks to leaked Sony emails. In response to such injustices, several actresses joined the "Time's Up" campaign, calling for an end to these discriminatory practices. High-profile figures such as Natalie Portman, Patricia Arquette, Emma Watson, Diane Keaton, Salma Hayek, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Lawrence, among others, have vocally addressed this issue.
Claiming the second spot on the list is Sofia Vergara, the only Latin actress included, with earnings of $44.1 million. Reese Witherspoon secures third place with $35 million, while Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Aniston take the fourth and fifth positions with $34 million and $28 million, respectively.
