New data on the salaries of today's TV actors has been released. And there’s a trend. Minority actors and actresses earn much less than their white counterparts. Surprised? Didn’t think so. More inside….
It’s always about the money! And if you’re black (or part of any underrepresented group), there's a chance you won’t make as much as a white person in your field.
New data backs this up too.
Variety just released new data that lists the salaries of today’s top television stars. And there’s clearly a trend. White actors and actresses earn way more money than multicultural/minority actors and actresses.
So check it, the top paid television stars are actors from the cast of “Big Bang Theory” with some earning $1 million per episode. We can’t knock the show, because it’s a good watch. But, YBF celebs earn a drastically lower salary than those on “Big Bang Theory.” “The Simpsons” voice cast earn up to $300,000 an episode. And Netflix stars like Drew Barrymore and Emma Stone earn a cool $350,000 each episode for shows they just started.
Once you start scrolling down the list of each category, you start seeing more YBF stars. In the drama category, “Scandal” star Kerry Washington (a multi EMMY award nominee) and “How To Get Away With Murder” star Viola Davis (who won an EMMY in 2015 and nominated in 2016 for her role, two Tonys and an Academy Award nomination) earn $250,000 an episode. “Grey’s Anatomy” lead Ellen Pompeo earns $400,000 per episode. On the same network. Hmph.
Further down the drama list, we find “Empire” stars Taraji P. Henson (a Golden Globe winner, two-time Emmy winner and Oscar nominated actress) and Terrence Howard (who was nominated for an Oscar) both make $175,000 per episode. This, on a show that set and broke records in TV history its entire first season.
In the comedy sector, “black•ish” star Anthony Anderson (who was up for an EMMY this year) earns $100,000 an episode, while his co-star Tracee Ellis Ross (who was also up for an EMMY this year) makes $80,000 per episode.
We noticed Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made it close to the top of the comedy list, earning $400,000 an episode for his role on HBO’s “Ballers.” Given the fact that he’s one of Hollywood’s biggest actors (but so are the others named), that may have something to do with his pay. Or, he has a very good manager.
“Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts also landed pretty high on the Reality/Host/News category making $10million - $14million per year.
After seeing this list, we’re totally not surprised. Black actors and actresses have been speaking out for YEARS about the huge pay gap between those of color and those who are not. Especially when the talent is equal, or even more heavily weighted on the black actor's side.
Peep the full lists below (click the thumbnails) and see how everyone measured up:
Photos: Getty/Variety
