Massive salaries for Hollywood’s top actors are nothing new, with headline-grabbing figures regularly making the rounds. It’s discouraging to hear about instances where actors’ salaries differ by such a large margin, even when their work is of equal quality.

Notable among these is the pay gap between Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, both of whom appeared in the award-winning film Brokeback Mountain. Despite Gyllenhaal’s and Ledger’s outstanding performances, they only earned modest sums from the film’s $178 million worldwide gross.

A Cinematic Masterpiece With A Pay Disparity

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The 2005 film Brokeback Mountain was a huge hit because of its touching portrayal of love between two cowboys. The film, directed by the brilliant Ang Lee, follows the lives of Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger), two sheepherders who develop an unexpected romantic connection.

The compelling story of forbidden love resonated with audiences worldwide, and the film was widely praised for its strong performances and nuanced depiction of complex emotions. With eight nods at the 78th Academy Awards, Brokeback Mountain’s influence cannot be denied.

After its release, the film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Ang Lee, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Heath Ledger’s performance as Ennis Del Mar was so compelling that it earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Ledger’s portrayal struck a chord with moviegoers, cementing his place in cinematic history and showcasing his extraordinary talent. Despite the film’s undeniable success, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger were paid surprisingly little for their extraordinary work in Brokeback Mountain.

A Lawsuit Against Focus Features

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It is a surprise that both actors were paid only $510,000 for their work, even though Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar, as The New York Times reported in 2006.

Suing the film’s distributor, Focus Features, actor Randy Quaid claims he was tricked into accepting an unfairly low payment for his relatively minor supporting role. Quaid claims that Focus, Universal Studios’ arthouse division, told him the film was being made on a tight budget.

The lawsuit, however, claims Focus knew it would spend millions on advertising and promotion while still attempting to keep production costs low. The lawsuit also claims that actors like Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger cut their pay to help get the movie made.
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However, questions about actors’ treatment and profit-sharing practices in the film industry are raised by the wide gap between their salaries and the film’s substantial marketing budget. While the Brokeback Mountain cast may have agreed to share in the film’s net profits, the lawsuit claims that the substantial amount spent on advertising undermined their ability to earn a fair share.

Although Heath Ledger’s work was praised, Jake Gyllenhaal’s turn as Jack Twist should not be forgotten. The actor’s skill at portraying his character’s nuanced feelings and internal turmoil greatly impacted the movie’s overall resonance and success.

Gyllenhaal’s nuanced performance drew viewers in and helped them empathize, adding to Brokeback Mountain’s status as a film classic. Due in large part to the work of Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain was able to gross $178 million worldwide.

Source: The New York Times