by Harley Miller
What is Passion Tax? It is the financial sacrifices and potential limitations on earning potential that often accompany pursuing a career or venture driven by personal passion instead of financial gain. It’s called a “tax” because, like a tax, it represents the cost or deduction from one’s potential income or wealth.
Recently, Marvel announced that Robert Downey Jr. will be playing the iconic role of Dr. Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday," with a reported $80 million salary over two films. Many users took to social media to express their disappointment—both in the actor for getting the role, considering he’s already played Iron Man, and due to the hefty payday. This news follows Jonathan Majors being ousted due to an ongoing court case with his ex-girlfriend for assault and harassment. Majors was found guilty but only sentenced to 52 weeks of a domestic violence intervention program and probation.
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While some users felt Downey deserved the pay raise, others disagreed. VFX workers, production assistants, costume designers, and more voiced their frustration, citing the pay disparity considering many of the people responsible for working on these films and bringing them to the public are paid pennies in comparison.
“I made $13.50 an hour as a PA working on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and this man is getting $80 million?”
“Nobody wants to make a big deal about it, but movie stars make too much. Nobody should be paid $1 million for a single movie, let alone $80 million.”
“Meanwhile, the same film production will have crew members working for a glorified minimum wage and no benefits.”
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“Pay him what he’s worth; he’s earned it. RDJ will bring butts into seats; he’s paid his dues,” and it is here that we can see the reference of the passion tax. “Paying dues” in the entertainment industry, or any industry for that matter—whether it be an unpaid internship or a fashion stylist sharing their work with fashion houses only to earn nothing from the sales—it’s all about working your way to the top. Hollywood is known for making stars, and it’s always portrayed in films that an aspiring actor or actress will go to Hollywood, work a dead-end job, and then one day become famous.
There are many who still believe this; they see the idea of doing what you hate to one day do what you love as being worth it in the long run. We hear many underdog stories of men and women who were once homeless or shacking up with a roommate, who are now wealthy and afford vacations in Paris annually. This motivates people to keep going, keep paying their dues.