Susan Sarandon says Paul Newman donated share of his salary to ensure equal pay in 1998: 'He was a gem'
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Susan Sarandon has revealed that former co-star Paul Newman gave her part of his salary when she realised he was getting paid more than her.
The Hollywood star was starring in 1998 film Twilight alongside Newman and Gene Hackman when she later discovered they were both receiving a larger salary.
Sarandon, who is promoting new film Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, told BBC 5 Live: “Emma Stone once 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.”
She shared that Newman - who died in 2008 - gave part of his salary to Sarandon, saying: “He stepped forward and said, 'Well I'll give you part of mine'. So, yeah, he was a gem.”
Sarandon, who received equal billing alongside her male co-stars in the film, revealed that it was only Newman and Hackman who benefited from “favoured nation,” an agreement whereby producers ensure actors are given the same terms as their fellow stars.
The actor - who received an Emmy Award-nomination for her role of Bette Davis in TV series Feud: Bette and Joan - told the radio station that “the unwanted exchange” between actress and producer will “go away.”
“What we don't want to have is being exploited and have the Harvey Weinsteins of the world holding it over your head and holding it over your project,” she said. “That is the most despicable.”
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