Ellen Pompeo Says Her $20 Million 'Grey's Anatomy' Deal Proves 'Financial Freedom Is True Independence'—And She's Urging Women To Ask For More

Hollywood loves a good power play, and the 55-year-old actress Ellen Pompeo just gave the industry one for the history books. The “Grey's Anatomy” star didn't just ask for a raise—she demanded a paycheck worthy of the highest-paid women in television. And she got it.

Before making headlines in 2017 with her $20 million per year contract, Pompeo had a conversation that set the wheels in motion. She reached out to Shonda Rhimes, the creator of “Grey's Anatomy,” for a little pre-negotiation blessing. While Rhimes had no say in salary decisions, she encouraged Pompeo to go for it.

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A Negotiation That Changed the Game

“I said to her: ‘I'm going to go in and ask for this much. Are you cool with that?'" Pompeo recalled on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast. “[Rhimes] was like, ‘Yeah, no one's going to give it to you. You have to ask for it.'”

She asked for—and got—$575,000 per episode, making her the highest-paid actress in a primetime drama. The deal also included backend points and producing credits, pushing her earnings beyond just a base salary.

For Pompeo, this wasn't just about money—it was about power. “I became aware at a really early age that people with money had power,” she explained.

“I didn't have any power as a young woman. And I didn't like the way that felt. She added, "You don't have to be with any man you don't want to be with. For women, financial freedom is true independence."

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Pompeo was also well aware that “Grey's Anatomy” was a billion-dollar franchise. The show has generated nearly $3 billion for Disney DIS since its debut, making it one of the company's most lucrative properties. Pompeo saw no reason why she shouldn't get her fair share.

“Women should always push the envelope. All anyone can say is no,” she added.

Pompeo's bold move reignited the conversation about gender pay disparity in Hollywood. The industry has long been criticized for underpaying female talent, even on blockbuster productions.

Disney, for example, recently agreed to a $43.3 million settlement in a lawsuit accusing the company of systematically paying women less than men for over a decade. While the company denied wrongdoing, the settlement spoke volumes about the persistent wage gap.

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Meanwhile, some argue that market forces—not discrimination—drive salary differences. In an interview with Business Insider, Matthew Lillard revealed the impact of box office performance firsthand.

Following the underwhelming box office results of “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed,” Lillard feared for his career prospects, illustrating how financial outcomes can directly affect actors’ opportunities and negotiations.

But others, like TV writer Katja Meier, see it differently. Meier, who has worked in television for over two decades, said ageism and sexism still dictate hiring and salary decisions. She founded Zenka Films to challenge industry biases and promote fair pay practices.

Pompeo's fight echoes past Hollywood salary showdowns. In 2005, the cast of “Desperate Housewives” united to demand equal pay, proving that strength lies in numbers. A decade later, Patricia Arquette used her Oscar speech to call out gender wage gaps, bringing mainstream attention to the issue.

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