Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston Are TV's Highest Paid Actresses

A new report from Variety revealed what television’s biggest stars make, and its a lot. Javier Bardem tops the list at $1.2 million per episode, which he is earning for an upcoming Amazon miniseries about 16th-century explorer Hernán Cortés, writes Town & Country.

Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston top the list for the women. Witherspoon comes in just behind Bardem at $1.1 million per episode, tied with her future co-star Aniston. The pair are making that for their upcoming dramedy, made with Apple, which has already given Witherspoon and Aniston a two-season order, so they will be making that cash for some time to come.

Equal pay for actors and actresses is becoming more of a Hollywood hot-button issue. A new California state law now forbids employers from asking future employees about their past salaries. Women and minorities often start out getting paid less, which prevents them from making what they deserve later on. ABC’s head of casting and talent, Ayo Davis, told Town & Country that they are now “being much more thoughtful in our discussions about budget and compensation. And I do think it makes a difference.”