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The Hollywood gender gap: the role of action films

Author

Listed:
  • John S. Heywood

    (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

  • Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez

    (University of Manchester)

  • Maria Navarro Paniagua

    (Lancaster University)

Abstract

We estimate gender earnings differentials among Hollywood stars. While this market should be particularly efficient in translating productivity into earnings, we demonstrate an unexplained female earnings gap of over two million dollars a film. Critically, we show that action films drive this gap. Our movie fixed effects estimate a much larger-million-dollar gap among action movies and a smaller statistically insignificant gap among other genres. Within the other genres, the one significant earnings gap is among stars older than 50. We argue that these patterns could reflect “consumer discrimination” but also raise other possibilities.

Suggested Citation

  • John S. Heywood & Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez & Maria Navarro Paniagua, 2025. "The Hollywood gender gap: the role of action films," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 49(3), pages 459-485, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jculte:v:49:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s10824-024-09514-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10824-024-09514-0
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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