It can’t be denied that Sharon Stone is one of the most well-known Hollywood faces for her portrayal of some of the most iconic women in cinema. Her role as Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct is well-versed to most movie enthusiasts. While the role pushed Stone to international fame, unfortunately, the actress didn’t get what she deserved for the Michael Douglas starrer.
Pay disparity is one of the biggest issues that’s often heard by many people in the industry. The case of Basic Instinct is one of the prime examples as Sharon Stone received exorbitantly less than Michael Douglas. It’s more surprising given the fact, that the role heavily impacted the actress’ personal life.
What led Sharon Stone to risk her career after Basic Instinct?
It was in 1980 when Sharon Stone made her Hollywood debut as an extra in Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories. Further, she portrayed many small roles in several movies before landing the 1992 Paul Verhoeven erotic thriller that changed her life forever.
The role of serial killer Catherine Tramell came with both good and bad sides in the life of the 65-year-old actress. She was not the first choice for the role but landed it after several big names left it for the challenges it posed. While she didn’t hesitate to accept the challenges, Basic Instinct on the contrary couldn’t even pay for her Oscars dress.
According to The Guardian, Sharon Stone stated at an event that she was so disappointed at Basic Instinct’s paycheck difference, that she didn’t want to work further.
“After Basic Instinct, no one wanted to pay me. I remember sitting in my kitchen with my manager and just crying and saying: ‘I’m not going to work until I get paid’.”
The actress faced a situation of public humiliation when she could afford nothing more than a Betsey Johnson polyester jumpsuit. It was the time when Basic Instinct was just released so nobody knew the actress.
“When I first got invited to [present at] the Oscars right before Basic Instinct, the movie hadn’t come out, so no one would lend me a dress. All these people in their $40,000 or $50,000 dresses and I went and bought a Betsey Johnson polyester jumpsuit because that was the best I could do.”
Sadly, Sharon Stone even had to do her own makeup and hair. But the only saving grace was Anthony Hopkins who passed an adorable gesture. It made Stone extremely happy that the big star saw her movie. On the other hand, she could also keep the clothes from Basic Instinct as part of her contract.
The merciless pay disparity between Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas
The fans were outright heartbroken after knowing that Sharon Stone only got a mere amount of $500,000 while Michael Douglas bagged $14M along with a bonus from the profits. Basic Instinct also amassed a huge $353M which just spoke about the unfair nature of Hollywood in every language possible.
Later many actresses came out to speak about the pay disparity in Hollywood demanding equal wages. But the Silver actress also got a chance to work in several commercially and critically acclaimed flicks. The mother-to-three went on to act in Martin Scorsese’s Casino which even earned her an Oscar nomination.
It can be said that Basic Instinct was a major push to Sharon Stone’s professional career but it also led to several consequences in her personal life. She also lost custody of her eldest son Roan after the court had significant problems with her work in the movie.
Basic Instinct can be streamed on Paramount+.
Source: The Guardian
