A couple of days ago we heard that Emmy Rossum was holding up renewal plans for long running Showtime comedy, Shameless, by requesting not only equal pay to her older male costar, William H. Macy, but higher pay to make up for the seven seasons she’s made less than him. Emmy’s character, Fiona Gallagher, is the star and William’s character, Frank, is arguably more disposable. (However some of you are familiar with with original British version of the show and say that’s not the case that Fiona is indispensable, I’ll say that.) In The Hollywood Reporter’s original story it was unclear how Emmy’s costars felt about her salary negotiations. Well TMZ paparazzi caught up with Macy while he was out Christmas shopping and he unequivocally supported Emmy! (This was posted on December 13, before Macy got his latest SAG nomination for best male performance. He won a SAG in 2015 for this role.)
Emmy Rossum is involved in a contract dispute with Warner Brothers demanding equal pay. When do you think the studios are going to get with it?
They wrote the Equal Rights Amendment in 1927, it didn’t get passed by both houses of Congress until 1972. It still hasn’t been approved by all the states therefor it didn’t make it as an amendment to the Constitution. It’s about f-ing time, don’t you think?She is obviously a big part of the show. Playing devil’s advocate, you are a Hollywood veteran
She works as hard as I do. She deserves everything. The only thing I got over Emmy Rossum is I’m better looking.
[From video on TMZ via Jezebel]
Wow I never realized how woke Macy is, for lack of a better word, but I guess it’s not surprising. Also kudos to the paparazzo for the way he framed the question. You could not ask for a more thoughtful response from Macy. He gave historical and legal context and followed up with a personal sentiment for Emmy, with a little joke thrown in there. I just wish that this kind of understanding of women’s rights was the default in our country. Feminism is not a special case, it’s a human right. I thought we were so close, but we just fell backwards down the hill so many of us were climbing. I feel all dirty and bruised lately, to continue that lousy metaphor. We’re still here, we’re still fighting, and we have allies.
Photos credit: Getty and Showtime
How sad women still need the support of men to have their plea for equality taken serioulsy.
Though I think this is generally true, I dont think this was the case here. He is just supporting her in this from the sidelines. Emmy has already tweeted she is returning so she must have got what she was looking for.
How so? Feminism is built between all genders. It’s essential that men support this cause.
It sucks that it takes a man for other men to notice, but I am feeling Macy. More role models like him please. It’s a reminder there are good men out there.
Bc men are truly blind
It was the support of the biggest star on her show.
I like William Macy, so I’m so happy his response wasn’t disappointing. It just sucks that a man needs to cosign for equality before it’s taken seriously.
I don’t know why, but this article made me think of Maisie Williams (GOT) quote “But I also feel like we should stop calling feminists “feminists” and just start calling people who aren’t feminist “sexist” – and then everyone else is just a human. You are either a normal person or a sexist.”
yeah thats a pretty good quote. i mean Ivanka tells us she is a feminist. the point is if you dumb feminism down to “for equality” its meaningless because 99% of people will say they are. like there are basically no racists if you ask people. thats why no one asks people to identify as “not racist”.
I’ve always found him delightful and talented in every thing I’ve ever seen him in. How fantastic to hear him give such a smart, thoughtful answer to that question! It does help to know there are allies.
Shameless watcher here. She works harder than Macy. Her role is far and away the biggest on the show. Fiona is the lead character, full stop. Yes, he’s a veteran respected actor and brings a certain cache to the show, but she is the one doing most of the work. She should be getting paid.
Yes!! And speaking of just veteran actors.. wonder how much Joan Cusack got paid cos she is a veteran too
I agree. She does deserve equal pay for her role. However, I do love Macy. He does a great job playing despicable.
That’s perfect. I especially love his last line!
This was beautiful, thanks for sharing
I have watched the show since Season One. Frank is a horrible human being and highly unlikable. WHM is an AMAZING actor. I think season to season the lead tends to swing…everyone had story lines where they got to shine. I don’t like seeing people say which one of them is more important. It is an ensemble, I feel like they are all needed.
That said, of COURSE she should have equal pay.
Also, I heard an interview with WHM’s wife once. He sounds like a dream. She just adores her husband. And he, her. Not surprised that he had such an intelligent, meaningful response. It seems to simply be who he is.
Now that’s how you answer a question on pay equity
Love him. Love that he didn’t dance around it or try to be diplomatic to the studio.
Well I like him even more now! Also I don’t think Shameless will be what it is without the Frank or Fiona characters, the US version is very different from the UK one. I might as well add, it’s about time Shameless ‘d win a f-ing award!
“She works as hard as I do.” BAM. That’s it right there.
I love this man. This is also my favorite show. It makes me sick we will be deprived of
It bc of this sick twisted fact
That women are denied equal pay in 2016. She is in about five times the scenes as whm, this is literally ridiculous that she would get paid less. And now shameless will be gone. I’m honestly sad about this.