These Co-Stars May Have Had Equally Important Roles, But Their Wallets Told A Different Story
Hollywood is no stranger to pay disparity; it's sometimes considered "part of the job," but more often than not, it comes down to plain old misogyny. Let's explore some of the largest pay gaps between co-stars, including those that sparked shock and outrage throughout Hollywood.
Gillian Anderson Vs. David Duchovny – The X‑Files
During the 2016 revival, Anderson was reportedly offered 50% of Duchovny’s salary, after years anchoring the show equally with him. Public outrage forced a renegotiation to parity—proving sometimes even legends need to demand what they deserve.
SAG Awards: David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson Have X-Files REUNION!, Entertainment Tonight
Michelle Williams Vs. Mark Wahlberg – All The Money In The World
Reshoots sparked scandal: Wahlberg got $1.5 million, while Williams received a shocking $1,000, a gap of 1,499,000 to 1. On top of that, Wahlberg’s base was $5 million vs. Williams’ $625,000, an eightfold difference. The uproar led to Wahlberg donating his fee to Time’s Up.
ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD - Official Trailer (HD), Sony Pictures Entertainment
Claire Foy Vs. Matt Smith – The Crown
Netflix confirmed Smith earned more than Foy in Seasons 1 and 2 due to his Doctor Who fame, sparking public backlash when Foy earned significantly less. Though no exact figures were released, producers admitted the policy was “wrong” and have pledged equality moving forward.
Coronation Cameras Spark a Royal Fight | The Crown (Claire Foy, Matt Smith), Scene City
Emmy Rossum Vs. William H. Macy – Shameless
Rossum went seven seasons without pay equity. Macy, supportive, said, “She deserved more,” and after loud criticism, producers finally upped her salary—though exact figures remain undisclosed. A rare victory for a TV lead demanding her worth.
Jennifer Lawrence Vs. Christian Bale & Co – American Hustle
Sony emails revealed Lawrence earned 7% of profits, while Bale, Cooper, and Renner each got 9%, a 2-point difference. In dollars, that added up to hundreds of thousands less—an eye‑opening gap that pushed J-Law to become a fierce negotiator.
American Hustle: I got a plan (HD CLIP), Binge Society
Natalie Portman Vs. Ashton Kutcher – No Strings Attached
Portman admitted Kutcher made three times what she did—if she earned $1 million, he got $3 million. Despite being an Oscar winner, her lowball pay underlined the persistence of rom‑com gender bias.
No Strings Attached -- Official Trailer 2011 [HD], Regal
Robin Wright Vs. Kevin Spacey – House of Cards
Wright fought to “get paid what he got.” Though Netflix agreed, insiders say Spacey still earned more for seasons 1–4, until Wright’s star power and Emmy wins tipped the scales in Season 5 and beyond.
Robin Wright Talks About Kevin Spacey On TODAY: ‘I Didn’t Know The Man’ | TODAY, TODAY
Taraji P. Henson Vs. Brad Pitt – Benjamin Button
Henson was offered just $150,000, while Pitt made millions (roughly $5–10 million). Henson called the amount an “insult,” nearly walking away. The Oscar nom actress eventually accepted—but the gap sparked industrywide conversations.
Julia Roberts Vs. Nick Nolte – I Love Trouble
Roberts reportedly earned twice Nolte’s paycheck despite even billing. The unexpected swap fueled on‑set tension, with Nolte grumbling that the ‘pretty girl’ got twice what a seasoned vet did.
Official Trailer - I LOVE TROUBLE (1994, Julia Roberts, Nick Nolte), Trailer World
Charlize Theron Vs. Chris Hemsworth – The Huntsman: Winter’s War
Hemsworth was paid more for the 2016 sequel. Theron demanded equal pay—and got it. A double Oscar winner still had to flex her muscle—but the win signaled a growing push for parity.
The Huntsman: Winter's War | Final Battle, Universal Pictures
Ellen Pompeo Vs. Patrick Dempsey – Grey’s Anatomy
Until 2015, Dempsey reportedly earned “a little more than double” what Pompeo did—she admitted Dempsey got a higher “quote” from 13 failed pilots. By 2018 she renegotiated to $20 million per season, or $575,000 per episode.
Meredith & Derek | Season 1, Judith B
Bryce Dallas Howard Vs. Chris Pratt – Jurassic World
Howard revealed she was paid “so much less” than Pratt—while he got his usual $5–10 million, Howard received a more modest mid‑six figures plus backend. She later secured richer backend deals tied to games and theme parks.
Winona Ryder Vs. Keanu Reeves – Bram Stoker’s Dracula
While exact numbers aren't public, Reeves was a bigger name with The Matrix fame on the horizon. Industry whispers place him earning roughly twice what Ryder did. Regardless, she went on to earn $350,000 per episode in Stranger Things, further proof of her star status
Michelle Rodriguez Vs. Vin Diesel – Fast & Furious Franchise
Exact figures are closely held, but insiders say Diesel earned mid‑seven figures per film, while Rodriguez made low six figures. With the franchise moving more toward ensemble storytelling, she’s called out the disparity repeatedly—though numbers lag.
Vin Diesel x Michelle Rodriguez x Just Driven, Just Driven
Anne Hathaway Vs. James Franco – 2011 Oscars Host Gig
Reports say Franco was paid more than Hathaway to host—though the Academy later insisted both were “equal.” Pitchforks were raised, especially given Hathaway’s acting pedigree and prior hosting chops.
James Franco and Anne Hathaway host the Oscars®, Oscars
Kaley Cuoco Vs. Jim Parsons & Johnny Galecki – The Big Bang Theory
By later seasons, all three leads matched at $1 million per episode, but it took several seasons before Cuoco secured parity—while Parsons and Galecki had negotiated earlier, leveraging producer deals and spin‑off leverage.
Jessica Chastain Vs. Matt Damon – The Martian
Damon reportedly made $20 million+ thanks to his A‑list status, while Chastain, though key, made mid‑six figures plus backend. Chastain now actively teaches actresses to chase backend and profit points to even the scales.
Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain Trade Laughs, Talk ‘The Martian’ | TODAY, TODAY
Reese Witherspoon Vs. Steve Carell – The Morning Show
Witherspoon, a producer too, is believed to have been offered approximately $12–15 million for Season 1; Carell’s deal reportedly matched hers. Fans hailed her clout—proving producing credit can help—but insiders urge her to push for more.
THE MORNING SHOW TV Review - Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Paul McGuire Grimes
Sigourney Weaver Vs. Bill Murray – Ghostbusters II
Weaver was a returning star in 1989’s sequel, yet Murray—a bigger box‑office draw—was paid significantly more, reportedly earning double what Weaver did. Weaver’s reach had grown since the first film, but her pay didn’t reflect it.
Ghostbusters II/Best scene/Sigourney Weaver/Bill Murray/Dan Aykroyd/Harold Ramis/Rick Moranis, Eli D
Zendaya Vs. Timothée Chalamet – Dune: Part One
Chalamet’s salary was higher (estimated mid‑seven figures) while Zendaya, though a lead, reportedly made high six figures. Her minimal screen time in Part One left backend tempers unsaid—but Part Two’s spotlight promises a payday reset.
Zendaya’s Best Moments | Dune: Part One | Max, HBO Max
Final Thoughts: The Gap Is Closing—But Slow
The data shows women routinely earned from 2x less to over $1.5 million less despite shared screen time. Public backlash, social media, transparency campaigns, and vocal stars—like Williams, Portman, and Pompeo—are changing the conversation. The numbers show progress, but parity hasn’t arrived yet. The tide is finally turning, but the work continues.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
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