Oprah Winfrey's Shocking Salary for Spielberg Movie Blows Everyone Away!

Summary

Oprah Winfrey revealed that she was only offered $35,000 for her role in The Color Purple, but she has no regrets as it was her dream to be a part of the film.

Although $35,000 might appear modest, its value in 1985 was equivalent to almost $100,000 today after adjusting for inflation. It is important to note, however, that other celebrities earned considerably higher salaries during that period. Winfrey's relative inexperience in the film industry probably contributed to her receiving a comparatively low offer. Nevertheless, her exceptional portrayal in the movie not only garnered her an Oscar nomination but also left a lasting impact and continued to be highly regarded.

Oprah Winfrey has shared the surprisingly modest amount she earned for her role as Sofia in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of The Color Purple. Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the movie tells the story of Celie Harris Johnson, an African-American woman facing oppression and abuse, played by Whoopi Goldberg. As a new musical version of The Color Purple directed by Blitz Bazawule is currently in development, attention is being drawn back to the original film.

In an interview with Essence prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Winfrey disclosed the salary she received for her role in The Color Purple. Despite being offered only $35,000, she expressed no regret as she considered starring in the film her lifelong dream. Below is a statement from Winfrey:

I cannot express enough the significance of being a part of The Color Purple to someone like me. All I ever wanted in my life was to be involved in this production. And amazingly, God taught me the valuable lesson of surrender. The offer to be in the film was only $35,000, yet it turned out to be the most rewarding $35,000 I have ever earned. This experience completely transformed my life and taught me invaluable lessons. It truly felt like God working through every aspect of my journey.

Why Did Oprah Winfrey Make So Little For The Color Purple?

Winfrey's silence on the reason behind the meager offer for The Color Purple remains unexplained. Nor did she comment on whether she received higher compensation through residuals after the film achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. Nonetheless, it's worth considering that $35,000 in 1985 had far greater purchasing power compared to today. Adjusting for inflation, the equivalent value would be nearly $100,000 in present times. Nevertheless, even during that era, $35,000 paled in comparison to the earnings of other Hollywood stars. As an illustration, Jack Nicholson received a whopping $6 million upfront for his role in Batman, whereas Michael J. Fox earned $250,000 for his work in Back to the Future.

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The likely reason Winfrey received such a meager offer for her role in The Color Purple was because it was her first film. Although she was starting to make significant progress in her career, she had yet to become the household name she is today. The Oprah Winfrey Show wouldn't premiere until the year after The Color Purple, and Sofia was her first acting credit. While her lack of experience doesn't justify her low salary, it's understandable that she may not have had as much bargaining power as established actors.

However, Winfrey demonstrated that star power alone does not guarantee a strong performance. Her portrayal of Sofia earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, an achievement that is still remembered and influential to this day. It is a role she has never forgotten, and Winfrey has openly expressed her love for the film and the significance of being a part of it. Fortunately, she is also involved in the 2023 Color Purple adaptation as a musical producer. While she may not have earned a substantial salary from The Color Purple, she undoubtedly created a lasting legacy through her involvement.

Source: Essence