Scarlett Johansson Says Work-Life Balance Is a Myth Amid Record Earnings

In 2025, Scarlett Johansson earned $43 million, ranking as the highest-paid actress in Hollywood and the second highest-grossing actor in history. Her net worth is estimated at $165 million. In addition to acting, she runs the skincare brand The Outset and the production company These Pictures, and her recent credits include “Black Widow,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Marriage Story,” and “Lucy.” She shares two children—one with former partner Romain Dauriac and another with husband Colin Jost, a “Saturday Night Live” cast member.

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In a CBS Sunday Morning interview, Johansson said work-life balance is unattainable, arguing that recognizing this fact is the first step toward self-compassion. She described a persistent “deficit” in some area of life regardless of income or achievement, and noted that striving for perfection across all roles is unrealistic. She also recalled advice that being a successful parent “75 percent of the time” is a reasonable benchmark, a perspective that has reshaped her expectations of parenting and career.

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• “I think actually admitting that there is no work-life balance is the first step,” — Scarlett Johansson, CBS Sunday Morning interview

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• “It’s not possible. There’s always something that is… there’s a deficit in some area.” — Scarlett Johansson, CBS Sunday Morning interview

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• “Somebody once told me, if you’re successful as a parent like 75% of the time, that’s good,” — Scarlett Johansson, CBS Sunday Morning interview

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• “I learned to be more kind to myself.” — Scarlett Johansson, CBS Sunday Morning interview

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Johansson first gained global recognition as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a role that propelled her box-office appeal. She later expanded into drama and comedy, earning critical praise for “Marriage Story” and “Jojo Rabbit.” She has spoken about early-career pressures that limited role options for women, noting that expectations for appearance and character have broadened over time.

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Media outlets have highlighted the contrast between Johansson’s financial success and her admission that work-life balance is unattainable. A “Saturday Night Live” segment later noted that Zoe Saldana had surpassed Johansson as the highest-grossing actress, and the sketch jokingly suggested adding Colin Jost’s film earnings to Johansson’s total, prompting a mock-surprised line: “It went down?!” The coverage underscores how her personal statements intersect with public discussion of celebrity workload.

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Johansson’s production company These Pictures and her skincare line The Outset remain active, indicating that her professional schedule will stay demanding. Observers expect further commentary on her work-life balance stance as she promotes upcoming releases, while industry peers may reference her remarks in broader debates about sustainable careers in entertainment. No formal policy changes have been announced, leaving the conversation centered on personal experience.

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