We know Ellen Pompeo better as Dr. Meredith Grey. Ya know, the character who the show "Grey's Anatomy" is named for, right? So you'd think she would be able to make bank ON HER OWN SHOW.
But nah, because Hollywood and sexism. In a recent interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," Ellen discussed how hard she had to fight to get her new $20 million contract for the next 2 seasons of "Grey's," which she'll make $575,000 per episode, and how Patrick Dempsey (Dr. McDreamy) leaving was a "defining moment."
They could always use him as leverage against me — ‘We don’t need you; we have Patrick’ — which they did for years. I don’t know if they also did that to him, because he and I never discussed our deals. There were many times where I reached out about joining together to negotiate, but he was never interested in that. At one point, I asked for $5,000 more than him just on principle, because the show is Grey’s Anatomy and I’m Meredith Grey. They wouldn’t give it to me. And I could have walked away, so why didn’t I? It’s my show; I’m the number one. I’m sure I felt what a lot of these other actresses feel: Why should I walk away from a great part because of a guy? You feel conflicted but then you figure, ‘I’m not going to let a guy drive me out of my own house.’
You should really check out the whole article, because it's a really good read -- especially when Ellen goes a little savage about the network and studio's need to immediately cast another male once Patrick left the show. Which naturally I had something to say about on Twitter, because...well, have you met me? Loose cannon that has something to say about everything.