In Hollywood or in the corporate world we’re still paid less, we keep hitting the glass ceiling and we continue to try to climb the proverbial ladder. (This is for those who may have lived under a rock for the last 100 years.)

An academic study recently published in the Journal of Management Inquiry followed movie stars’ wages over the last 40 years. The brainiacs who did the study used complex algorithms and scientific research methods and found that female movie stars’ salaries peak at age 34 and then drop off significantly. Male movie stars’ salaries don’t peak until age 51 and stay pretty steady until they’re embalmed.

That’s almost a 20-year age/wage gap. Yikes.

I was interviewed about this study on HuffPost Live last week. I’m no scientist but I’ve never been short of an opinion. Here are my theories on the matter:

1. Men Make More Money Than Women. Period.
The Study of Hollywood Movie Stars represents a microcosm of our society. In Hollywood or in the corporate world we’re still paid less, we keep hitting the glass ceiling and we continue to try to climb the proverbial ladder. (This is for those who may have lived under a rock for the last 100 years.)

2. It’s About Supply and Demand.
Since there are fewer great roles for women, there are more female actors vying for those few great roles:

Fewer roles + more female actors vying for those roles = agents have less bargaining power to get their clients more money.