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Taraji P. Henson’s $150,000 Benjamin Button Pay Reveals Hollywood’s Stark Wage Disparity.Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson was paid just $150,000 for her role in the major 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She revealed she initially asked for $500,000 but was rejected by producers. The film starred Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, who commanded salaries in the $20 million range at the time.Henson discussed the pay negotiation on the Ladies First With Laura Brown podcast in 2021. She described feeling “gutted” when the initial counter-offer was a mere $100,000. The actress ultimately accepted the higher sum but had to “swallow her pride” to take the job.

Breaking Down the Paycheck: From $150,000 to $40,000

Henson was quick to acknowledge that $150,000 sounds like a significant amount of money. She emphasized she is not an ungrateful person. However, she provided a stark breakdown of where the money actually went.According to Henson, taxes took 50 percent of the gross pay immediately. That left her with approximately $75,000. She then had to pay her team—agents, managers, and publicists—their standard 30 percent fee. This came out of the post-tax amount. The final take-home pay was roughly $40,000 for her work on the blockbuster film.

Pay Disparity Highlights Systemic Industry Issues

Henson clarified her issue was not with the salaries of her A-list co-stars. She stated that Pitt and Blanchett rightfully deserved their high quotes. Her frustration was with the refusal to meet her own, much lower, asking price. She felt her contribution to the film’s ticket sales justified her request.This personal story sheds light on the wider pay gap and negotiation hurdles faced by Black actresses. Even with an Oscar nomination to her name, Henson faced significant resistance. Her experience underscores the financial realities many actors confront behind the glamorous facade of Hollywood.

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The story of Taraji P. Henson’s Benjamin Button salary is a powerful reminder of ongoing pay disparity in entertainment. Her candid breakdown reveals how a seemingly large paycheck quickly diminishes. This case continues to fuel important conversations about fair compensation in Hollywood.

Thought you’d like to know-

Q1: What was Taraji P. Henson’s original salary request?

She originally asked for $500,000 for her role in the film. Producers rejected this quote and made a counter-offer. The negotiation started at a much lower $100,000 before settling at $150,000.

Q2: How much did Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett make?

While their exact salaries were not disclosed by Henson, she indicated they were in the realm of $20 million each. This was a standard quote for major stars at that time in their careers.

Q3: What was Henson’s final take-home pay?

After accounting for taxes and paying her team, her estimated take-home pay was around $40,000. This is from the initial gross payment of $150,000 for her Oscar-nominated performance.

Q4: Why did Henson accept the lower salary?

She stated she had to “swallow her pride” to accept the role. Appearing in a major studio film with A-list stars was a significant career opportunity despite the unfair pay.

Q5: Has Hanson spoken about pay disparity since?

Yes, she has been vocal about pay equity throughout her career. This particular story is often cited in discussions about the wage gap for women of color in the entertainment industry.