Jennifer Lawrence Reigns as Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Actress

Jennifer Lawrence ruled Hollywood’s financial roost in 2015, pulling in $52 million to top Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid actresses. The “Hunger Games” star took the top spot and bested her nearest competitor, Scarlett Johansson, by a landslide. Johansson, star of Marvel’s blockbuster movies, brought in $35.5 million in the same period.
This huge lead points to Lawrence’s incredible box office appeal and her ability to command lucrative endorsement deals. But her success also puts the spotlight on the persistent gender pay gap in Hollywood.

The Gender Pay Discrepancy in Hollywood

The Forbes report highlights a wide pay gap between male and female actors; while only four actresses, including Lawrence, made more than $20 million last year, 21 male actors hit that mark. That large pay gap reflects the challenge women face in landing highly compensated parts and endorsements in the entertainment business.

A case in point is the profit-sharing deal for the 2013 movie “American Hustle.” Lawrence and her female co-stars took a two percent smaller profit cut than their male counterparts-a fact that generated talk about gender equality in Hollywood.

Fewer Lead Roles for Women

Part of this is due to fewer opportunities for women in leading roles, particularly in big-blockbuster successes. Movies such as “Mission: Impossible,” starring Tom Cruise, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Iron Man,” headlined by Robert Downey Jr., pull in hundreds of millions of dollars, which gives the male stars a much greater bargaining chip.

Downey Jr., who tops Forbes’ list of the highest-paid male actors, raked in an enviable $80 million in 2015 compared with Lawrence. Such huge earnings from these super successful franchises reflect what most female stars never have access to.

Paid Endorsements: Big Money-Maker

While Lawrence’s earnings were primarily made up of her acting salary, most of the other established actresses on the list, including Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, and Sandra Bullock, derived the majority of their income from endorsements. Bullock, who had led the rankings in 2014, fell behind in 2015 as her film projects slowed down, although her endorsement deals were still enough to keep her in the rankings.

Diversity in the Rankings
    International talent also made the cut in Forbes’ list: Chinese actress Fan Binging represented global cinema. Fan’s appearance shows that international stars are increasingly having more influence in the world market. Her success also shows that there is a growing reach for non-Hollywood productions to contribute to prominent actors’ earnings.

A Young Star Shines

But Lawrence’s are particularly remarkable at 25 years. A two-time Academy Award winner, following 2012’s “Silver Linings Playbook,” he has established himself at the box office and in the art of serious acting. Having nailed leading roles in major blockbuster successes and critical masterpieces, Lawrence is among the most influential forces in Hollywood today.

Jennifer Lawrence’s triumph in topping Forbes’ highest-paid actresses list speaks volumes about not only her immense talent but also the greater systemic issues of women within Hollywood. Yet, success is a beacon of change; the gender pay gap and a lack of opportunities for leading roles are issues the industry still needs to overcome. Lawrence’s achievements both inspire and signal the need for a more equal Hollywood.