It is depressing to learn that even the most renowned actors and actresses experience the negative effects of the gender pay gap in the world of Hollywood. Oscar-winning actress, Charlize Theron, a vocal proponent of equality, has always voiced her frustration over the startling pay disparity in her films.

The actress had previously garnered attention by securing equal pay for her role in the sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman. In a 2015 interview with Elle UK, Theron discussed the value of equal pay and the true nature of feminism. The actress was able to negotiate an equal salary for Snow White and the Huntsman after exposing the pay disparity on the American Hustle set through leaked Sony emails.

North County star, Charlize Theron
The actress has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most outspoken critics of gender inequality, once expressing her displeasure with the disparity in pay between Jennifer Lawrence and her male co-stars in American Hustle. David O. Russell, who was well-known for his own history of abusing his cast, directed this 2013 historical black comedy crime film.

Charlize Theron’s Stand Against the Gender Pay Gap in Hollywood

Charlize Theron admitted that she had previously been asked to be “so polite” whenever she demanded the same pay as her male co-star. But she was not going down without a fight after learning that Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams were paid significantly less than their male co-stars in American Hustle.
Charlize Theron
When asked about the gender pay gap in Hollywood and how she felt objectified there, she was told ELLE UK:
“I have to give them credit because once I asked, they said yes. They did not fight it. And maybe that’s the message: That we just need to put our foot down. This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing.  It doesn’t mean that you hate men. It means equal rights. If you’re doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way.”
She was, meanwhile, adamant about the pay gap in American Hustle and in Hollywood in general:
“When I thought about the temperature out there – with finding out what Jennifer and Amy were being paid on a set with guy actors who are their counterparts… They’re just as good as any of the guys on there. Yeah, that p*ssed me off!’
Moreover, working with David O. Russell proved to be extremely difficult for the actors of American Hustle.

David O. Russell’s Abuse Of Actors And Crew

The controversial nature of David O. Russell is well known, and it often gets him into trouble. Amy Adams, who was so horrified by his actions that Christian Bale had to step in and end their argument, was one of the victims.

David O. Russell
In a 2016 GQ interview, Adams acknowledged that she had difficulties while filming American Hustle:
“I was really just devastated on set. I mean, not every day, but most. Jennifer [Lawrence] doesn’t take any of it on. She’s Teflon. And I am not Teflon. But I also don’t like to see other people treated badly. It’s not okay with me. Life to me is more important than movies. It really taught me how to separate work and home.”
Amy Adams
The director had gotten into disagreements before as well. He is infamous for his odd treatment of the actors in his movies, including Christian Bale and George Clooney. In a GQ interview, Bale admitted interfering in the on-set arguments between Russell and Adams:
“If I can have some sense of understanding of where it’s coming from, then I do tend to attempt to be a mediator. That’s just in my nature, to try to say, ‘Hey, come on, let’s go and sit down and figure that out. There’s gotta be a way of making this all work.”
In the 2000s, Clooney also talked about his experience working with the filmmaker in an interview with Playboy. In the 1999 movie Three Kings, in which Clooney played the lead role, Russell reportedly began yelling at a supporting actor. The Batman & Robin actor remarked:
“David walked up to him and grabbed him. He pushed him onto the ground. He kicked him and screamed, ‘Do you want to be in this f**king movie? Then throw him to the f**king ground! The second assistant director came up and said, ‘You don’t do that, David.’”
Christian Bale
Well, Russell’s last directorial film was the 2022 period mystery comedy thriller Amsterdam, which was also written, and produced by him. It starred Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie, alongside an ensemble supporting cast.

Amsterdam is streaming on Max while American Hustle is available on Paramount Plus.