The glaring gap in earnings between actors Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams during the reshoots of "All the Money in the World" recently sent shockwaves across the American media landscape.
Their contractual arrangements for the film's additional scenes, following Kevin Spacey's dismissal and Christopher Plummer's inclusion, laid bare the stark contrast. Wahlberg pocketed a staggering $1.5 million for a mere ten days' work, while Williams, his co-star, received a meager $1,000 for the same time frame, as divulged by three insiders familiar with the production. Remarkably, Williams allegedly remained oblivious to Wahlberg's hefty paycheck.
In another instance of wage inequality, "House of Cards" star Robin Wright, akin to her character Claire Underwood, showcased her shrewd negotiation skills. Recounting her stance on pay parity during a Rockefeller Foundation event, the 50-year-old actress demanded equality, explicitly stating, "I want you to pay me the same as Kevin." Prior to the third season's premiere in 2014, estimations by The Huffington Post suggested that Kevin Spacey raked in $500,000 per episode, dwarfing Wright's earnings of approximately $420,000 per episode. Although precise figures remain elusive, it's speculated that Wright might have endured an $80,000 shortfall per episode until rectifying this disparity, now that she assumes the show's helm following Spacey's departure.
Meanwhile, Natalie Portman's revelation regarding her compensation in "Friends with Benefits" sheds light on yet another facet of gender pay inequality in Tinseltown. Speaking to Marie Claire U.K., Portman disclosed that she received a paltry one-third of Ashton Kutcher's salary for their roles in the 2011 romantic comedy. Despite being aware of this glaring disparity at the time, Portman chose not to address it, admitting, "I wasn't angry enough." Her candid admission underscores the pervasive nature of wage discrimination in the film industry.
As Portman adds her voice to the chorus of actresses advocating for pay equity, she joins the ranks of Jennifer Lawrence, Hilary Swank, Emma Watson, Salma Hayek, and others. Their collective efforts signify a growing movement within Hollywood to eradicate the gender pay gap and foster a more equitable industry landscape.
