Shining Through Scandal: The Incredible Life Of Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor Is The First Actress To Be Paid $1 Million For A Role

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Taylor’s near-death experience halted production of one of the biggest productions of her career: Cleopatra. After finally gaining the freedom to leave MGM, Taylor went over to 20th Century Fox to star in the film, a historical epic about the famous ancient Queen of Egypt. For starring in Cleopatra, Taylor became the first actress to ever be paid $1 million for a role, in addition to getting ten percent of the film’s profits. The elaborate sets, costumes, and props—in addition to filming being relocated to Rome after Taylor recovered—cost the studio $31 million, making it the most expensive film ever made up until that point in the early ’60s.