Hollywood legend Susan Sarandon is stepping into the spotlight to talk about her own experiences with the gender pay gap. In a heartfelt interview, the 71-year-old icon opened up about how her late co-star, the legendary Paul Newman, once took a stand to ensure equal pay for all actors in their 1998 film Twilight. His generous gesture not only highlighted the issue but also set a powerful example for the industry.
Paul Newman's Unwavering Commitment to Equality
During the filming of Twilight, Susan Sarandon learned firsthand what it means to work alongside a true ally. In a recent conversation with BBC Radio 5, Susan recalled how Paul Newman insisted on fairness in pay. She referenced Emma Stone's widely discussed 2017 confession to Variety, where the actress revealed her male co-stars insisted on equal pay by giving up a portion of their salaries. Susan shared, "Emma Stone came forward and said she got equal pay because her male stars insisted upon it and gave up something of theirs. That happened to me with Paul Newman at one point when I did a film with him ages ago."
Paul and Susan in Twilight.
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When Susan mentioned the term "favored nations," which refers to performers receiving equal contractual treatment, she explained that the filmmakers initially applied this only to the male leads. But Paul Newman wasn't having it. He stepped up and said, "Well, I'll give you part of mine." Susan couldn't help but marvel at his generosity, calling him "a gem." According to the official SAG-AFTRA website, "favored nations" means performers "are getting equal contractual treatment to others on the project — billing, accommodations, and any other contractual provision."
Why Diversity and Equal Pay Matter
Susan emphasized the importance of diversity and equal pay in making films more engaging and thought-provoking. "It makes everything more interesting to raise the stakes all around and to have a more diverse cast and to have other points of view," she explained. "I think anybody that’s with half a brain understands that." Twilight featured a stellar cast including Gene Hackman, Reese Witherspoon, Liev Schreiber, and Giancarlo Esposito. Unfortunately, Susan's time working with Paul was cut short when he passed away at the age of 83 in September 2008 after battling lung cancer.
View this post on InstagramToday I wear black in solidarity and gratitude with all women , in all industries, acknowledging our mutual power and vulnerability. #TimesUp on silence, on imbalance of power,on inaction.
The Ongoing Battle for Equal Pay in Hollywood
Hollywood's gender pay gap remains a contentious issue, with numerous actresses speaking out about the disparities they've faced. Last year, E! News star Catt Sadler made headlines when she abruptly left her job after discovering her male co-host, Jason Kennedy, was earning nearly double her salary. "An executive from E! brought something alarming to my attention — namely, that there was a massive disparity in pay between my similarly situated male co-host and myself," she revealed.
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She went on to explain the situation in more detail: "More recently, when E! reached out to renew and extend my deal, I learned that he wasn’t just making a little more than I was. In fact, he was making close to double my salary for the past several years." Catt emphasized the importance of transparency and fairness, noting, "Information is power. Or it should be. We are living in a new era. The gender pay gap is shrinking, although admittedly we have a long way to go. And well, I learned this firsthand. My team and I asked for what I know I deserve and were denied repeatedly."
