Hollywood is indeed all about scripted drama; however, none of these dramas can match the live tension that is created by a battle over salaries. Whether it is billion-dollar franchises or Emmy-winning TV shows, the stars have been going against the flow and thus risking their popularity to get equal pay. While some have gone as far as accepting lower salaries, others have countered the situation by threatening to walk out, and still, some have created headlines with their theatrical acts. The following are 10 of the boldest and most talked-about times when actors defied the Hollywood gender pay gap, and we are going backwards to the most jaw-dropping one at the end of the list.
10. Ellen Pompeo’s Grey’s Anatomy Pay Raise with a Side of Solidarity
When Ellen Pompeo renegotiated a massive salary bump to stay at the center of Grey’s Anatomy, she didn’t hog the win. She fought for Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr., insisting that they also receive raises. Pompeo not only topped the show—she topped it by example.
9. Robert Downey Jr. Goes Full Avengers for Equal Pay
Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t going to let his superhero coworkers get shortchanged. When he learned that several of his Avengers co-stars were being paid less, he threatened to abandon the MCU if everyone’s paycheck wasn’t upped. It turns out Iron Man’s secret superpower was leverage.
8. Will Smith Hands Out Bonuses on King Richard
Will Smith’s Oscar-winning performance in King Richard earned him an award, but he also won points behind the scenes. He delivered bonus checks to co-stars to bridge the pay gap—a real-life royal act from the Fresh Prince now King.
7. The Big Bang Theory Stars Cut Their Paychecks
Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar all agreed to voluntarily reduce their salaries so that cast members Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik could receive a much-deserved pay raise. That’s sitcom solidarity at its best.
6. Chris Pratt Negotiates for Bryce Dallas Howard
The Jurassic World films had a gap bigger than a T. rex’s mouth—Bryce Dallas Howard was paid far less than Chris Pratt. When Pratt found out, he ensured she received equal pay for spin-offs like theme park rides and video games, telling her, “You don’t have to do anything—I’ll handle the negotiating.” Sometimes the hero’s not the one screaming and running from dinosaurs.
5. Jessica Chastain Teams Up with Octavia Spencer
When Jessica Chastain discovered that Octavia Spencer was earning significantly less—especially as a woman of color—she tied her contract to Spencer’s. Together, they secured five times their initial pay. Spencer later said, “We’re going to be favored nations, and we’re going to make the same thing.” That’s friendship and strategy in action.
4. Mark Wahlberg’s Donation After Michelle Williams’ Pay Gap
Reshoots for All the Money in the World uncovered a staggering gap: Michelle Williams earned less than $1,000, while Mark Wahlberg earned $1.5 million. Following outrage in the public sphere, Wahlberg donated his full reshoot payment to Time’s Up in Williams’ name. Williams went on to inform Congress that when the news initially broke, “No one cared”—but the dialogue that followed was unforgettable.
3. Jennifer Lawrence’s Double Dose of Pay Gap Reality
Then came American Hustle, when the Sony hack exposed Lawrence and Amy Adams for making less than their male co-stars. Then, on Don’t Look Up, she was offered $5 million less than Leonardo DiCaprio, even though she was top-billed. As Lawrence put it bluntly to Vogue, “It doesn’t matter what I do—I’m still not going to get paid as much as that guy, because of my vagina?” She’s since become one of Hollywood’s loudest voices on pay equity.
2. Gillian Anderson’s X-Files Standoff
When The X-Files came back in 2016, Gillian Anderson was paid half of what David Duchovny was receiving. All for playing Agent Scully just as long, and being just as integral to the show. When she spoke up, Anderson received her equal pay—but only after demonstrating the truth was out there, and so was the prejudice.
1. Claire Foy Gets Her Crown—and Back Pay
The Queen of The Crown turned out to be making less than her on-screen husband, Matt Smith, thanks to his Doctor Who fame. Fans were furious; Foy was shocked. After the backlash, she reportedly received more than $275,000 in back pay. Her takeaway? It’s opened my eyes about what I’m allowed to stand up for.” Long live the Queen—and fair pay for all.