Hollywood stars back gender pay-gap swipe

Emma Watson, who has been campaigning for gender equality since starting the United Nations' HeForShe drive last year.

Emma Watson, Mark Ruffalo and Jessica Chastain are among stars backing Jennifer Lawrence for addressing the Hollywood gender pay gap in a hard-hitting article.

The Hunger Games actress hit headlines on Wednesday after publication of a piece she wrote for Lena Dunham's Lenny newsletter, headlined Why Do I Make Less Than My Male Co-Stars?

In the article, Lawrence blamed herself for failing to demand a fair wage for her work on the crime drama American Hustle.

"I got mad at myself," she wrote. "I failed as a negotiator because I gave up early ... I would be lying if I didn't say there was an element of wanting to be liked that influenced my decision to close the deal without a real fight. I didn't want to seem 'difficult' or 'spoiled'."

Lawrence was paid much less than her male co-stars, which was revealed when hackers leaked Sony Pictures' private documents online.

Other Hollywood stars have since publicly backed Lawrence for speaking out. They include Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, who has been campaigning for gender equality since starting the United Nations' HeForShe drive last year.

- AAP