If Ellen Pompeo Had To Fight To Get Her 'Humble' $20M Compensation, Others Are Screwed
Thankfully, the actress is ready to stand up for others.
Since many people don't understand the real reasons behind the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, many writers and actors are taking it upon themselves to share their stories and show how the industry treats those who don't make it to the A-list, but still work full-time at their jobs and deserve a fair wage.
As it turns out, it's not just actors who primarily work on smaller projects who are mistreated by studios and streaming services. Back in 2018, the star of arguably the biggest medical drama of the moment, Grey's Anatomy, told The Hollywood Reporter about the struggle she had to go through to get her annual paycheck.
Ellen Pompeo, who at the time had not only been the star, face, and voice of the hit show for more than 10 years but also an executive producer, knew how important the show was to the networks that ran it.
According to her information, Grey's Anatomy has already made Disney around $3 billion in 2018, so her $20 million payout for all the work she did in a year to keep the show afloat was just a small piece of a huge pie. But even knowing all that, the actress still had her self-worth doubts:
“Now, maybe it’s my Irish Catholic upbringing, but you never want to [be perceived as] too greedy. Or maybe it’s just that as women, that’s our problem; a guy wouldn’t have any problem asking for $600,000 an episode. And as women, we’re like, “Oh, can I ask for that? Is that OK?” I’d call Shonda and say, “Am I being greedy?””
Although Ellen Pompeo has been able to work things out well enough to stay on Grey's for another 5 years, the actors who don't have that kind of exposure and influence end up in far worse situations. This is why it is so important for more well-known celebrities to take to the streets and stand in solidarity with those who are tired of going unnoticed.
The last time both writers and actors went on strike at the same time was in 1960. Both strikes ended in success, with improved rights and pensions for industry professionals. To see the results of the ongoing 2023 strikes, stay tuned for the most important news and updates.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter