Renowned actress Ellen Pompeo, best known for her portrayal of Meredith Grey in the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, recently shared insights about her struggle for pay equality in the show’s early years. In a recent interview, she spoke candidly about the challenges she faced in securing the same salary as her co-star Patrick Dempsey, who played Dr. Derek Shepherd.
Pompeo on the Pay Disparity
As reported by Deadline, Pompeo acknowledged that at the beginning of Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey was a more established actor, having already worked on multiple projects in the industry.
“To be completely fair, television was a different industry back then. He had done 13 pilots before me,” she stated. “It’s nothing personal against him, but only a man can have 13 failed pilots and still see their value increase.”
‘He Was a Bigger Name, But I Led the Show’
Pompeo recognized Dempsey’s higher profile at the time but believed her central role in the series warranted equal pay.
“His quote was set based on his experience,” she explained. “At that point, he was a bigger name than I was. No one knew me, but everyone knew him, so he earned that paycheck. I am not saying he didn’t deserve it—I just believe that as the show’s lead and namesake, I should have been valued the same way.”
Her fight for pay parity eventually paid off in 2018, when she became the highest-paid actress in a drama series, reportedly earning $20 million per season, according to Deadline.
Beyond Personal Gains: A Stand for Women in Entertainment
Reflecting on her journey, Pompeo emphasized that her battle was not just for herself but for future generations of women in the industry.
“I’ve seen exactly how much Grey’s Anatomy generates for ABC and Disney. My face and voice represent the franchise,” she said. “For two decades, I’ve promoted the show across the world. I’m the Disney princess of Grey’s Anatomy, and yet, it took a long fight to be valued fairly.”
Pompeo concluded by saying that while she doesn’t hold resentment toward Dempsey, she remains frustrated that Hollywood continues to undervalue women compared to their male counterparts.
