Scarlett Johansson Makes More in One Movie Than Jenna Bush Hager Does in 20 Years—Here’s How!

Scarlett Johansson has firmly established herself as one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses, with a career that includes iconic roles such as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But now, Johansson is stepping into a new arena—hosting—alongside Jenna Bush Hager on the popular Today show segment Jenna & Friends on NBC. And while she may have wowed fans with her hosting debut, there’s a bit of a catch when it comes to making her a permanent fixture on the show: her astronomical salary.

Scarlett Johansson’s Earnings: A ‘GoFundMe’ Situation?

On a recent episode of Jenna & Friends, the show’s host, Jenna Bush Hager, joked that in order to afford Scarlett Johansson’s considerable asking price for a permanent co-host role, they’d have to launch a GoFundMe campaign. Hager humorously noted that Johansson’s earnings for a single film role would amount to more than 20 years of hosting on Jenna & Friends.

Carson Daly, a guest on the show, added to the joke, saying, “It would take her twenty years of working with you to make the money she makes in one movie.” The quip highlights just how much Johansson’s star power commands in the entertainment industry, with her salary from blockbuster films significantly outpacing what most talk show hosts make in a career.

A Look at Scarlett Johansson’s Impressive Salary and Net Worth

Johansson’s net worth is a staggering $165 million, according to Parade, with her highest earnings coming in 2019 when she made $56 million. Much of her fortune stems from her long tenure with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), where her role as Black Widow made her one of the franchise’s most beloved stars.

When Johansson first appeared in the MCU in Iron Man 2 in 2010, she earned a relatively modest $400,000. However, her salary saw an incredible rise over the years. For her final film as Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame, Johansson was reportedly paid $14 million upfront, plus a cut of the box office earnings. Given that Endgame grossed an eye-watering $2.8 billion worldwide, her final paycheck ballooned to $35 million.

For her role in Black Widow (2021), Johansson commanded $20 million, reflecting her top-tier status within the industry. Even outside of the MCU, Johansson earns an estimated $20 million per film for major studio movies, according to Variety. Clearly, Hager’s lighthearted comment about needing a GoFundMe to afford Johansson full-time wasn’t far from the truth.

Scarlett Johansson’s Hosting Skills: A New Chapter?

While Johansson has long been known for her film career, her guest appearance on Jenna & Friends proved she’s capable of holding her own as a talk show host. Fans loved her chemistry with Hager and even expressed a desire to see her become a permanent part of the show. The idea of “Jenna & Johansson” (or “J&J”) quickly gained traction on social media, with fans rallying for the actress to join the show full-time.

The concept of major movie stars stepping into the world of daytime talk shows is not entirely new, but Johansson’s ease on screen and charm with Hager suggests she could carve out a successful new path in hosting. However, given her considerable earnings, it’s unlikely that we’ll see her co-hosting Jenna & Friends on a full-time basis anytime soon—unless, of course, a GoFundMe campaign actually takes off.

Conclusion

Scarlett Johansson’s hosting debut may have been a hit, but her film salary remains a major roadblock to a permanent co-host role on Jenna & Friends. With her $20 million paychecks from major studio films, it’s no surprise that her presence on a daytime talk show would require some serious financial backing. While fans would love to see Johansson become a regular on the show, it seems the cost of keeping her on air might just require a crowd-funded effort.

One thing is clear: whether on the big screen or the talk show set, Scarlett Johansson’s star power continues to shine brighter than ever.