Wahlberg and agents donate $2M
After pay parity outcry, actor gives to Times Up legal defense fund
In the wake of a public outcry over the pay gap in Hollywood, Mark Wahlberg and his agents, William Morris Endeavor, are committing $2 million to the Time’s Up legal defense fund.
The donation is in recognition of the pay discrepancy during the reshoots for “All the Money in the World,” WilliamMorris spokesperson Marie Sheehy said in a statement Saturday.
Wahlberg has pledged his $1.5 million fee and William Morris has donated $500,000. Both donations will be made in Michelle Williams’ name.
The group, formed in response to sexual misconduct allegations that began with film producer Harvey Weinstein, provides subsidized legal support to those who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace.
“Over the last few days my reshoot fee for ‘All the Money in the World’ has become an important topic of conversation,” Wahlberg said in the statement. “I 100% support the fight for fair pay and I’m donating the $1.5M to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund in Michelle Williams’ name.”
WME said the conversation over the pay discrepancy is “a reminder that those of us in a position of influence have a responsibility to challenge inequities, including the gender wage gap.”
USA TODAY first reported the pay discrepancy Tuesday, revealing Williams was paid an $80 per diem totaling less than $1,000 for the reshoots while Wahlberg was paid $1.5 million.
That works out to Williams being paid less than one-tenth of 1% of her male co-star.
WME represented both Wahlberg and Williams during negotiations for “All the Money in the World,” including the film’s reshoots.
WME said the $500,000 donation in Williams’ name is in addition to a $1 million pledge the company made to the organization earlier this month.
USA TODAY reported Thursday that Wahlberg exercised a co-star approval clause in his contract and refused to approve Christopher Plummer as a replacement for Kevin Spacey in “All the Money in the World” unless he was paid over $1 million.
The pay gap controversy caused an outcry in Hollywood. On Thursday night, Olivia Munn roasted Wahlberg from the stage of the Critics’ Choice Awards during a sarcastic toast segment.