Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ellen Pompeo says she stayed on Grey’s Anatomy ‘to make money’

Pompeo has played Dr Meredith Grey for 16 seasons

Clémence Michallon
New York City
Thursday 06 August 2020 18:49 BST
Comments
Ellen Pompeo says she stayed on Grey's Anatomy to make money

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ellen Pompeo says her salary is the main reason she has remained on Grey’s Anatomy.

The actor spoke to journalist Jemele Hill in the latest episode of Hill’s podcast, Jemele Hill Is Unbothered.

Pompeo has portrayed Dr Meredith Grey on the ABC show for 16 seasons, starting in 2005.

She told Hill that over the years, she made a deliberate choice to prioritise financial stability and, by extension, her home life, over chasing more “creative” opportunities.

“For me, personally, a healthy home life was so important to me – more important than a career,” Pompeo said.

“I didn’t grow up with a particularly happy childhood, so the idea that I have this great husband and these three beautiful children – to have a happy home life was really something I needed to close the hole in my heart.”

She added: “And so I made a decision to make money and not chase creative acting roles.”

Pompeo said she doesn’t “like chasing anything, ever”, and acting involves “a lot of chasing” in her experience.

She does chase projects as a producer, but pointed out that she gets to do so knowing that she’s “financially set”.

Pompeo has been open about her pay. In 2018, she disclosed that she was set to earn more than $20m a year under a new agreement.

“I’m 48 now, so I’ve finally gotten to the place where I’m OK asking for what I deserve, which is something that comes only with age,” she told The Hollywood Reporter at the time.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in