{"id":8154,"date":"2025-03-27T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/?p=8154"},"modified":"2025-03-27T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T13:53:07","slug":"this-list-of-the-worlds-highest-paid-actors-is-genuinely-shocking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/2025\/03\/27\/this-list-of-the-worlds-highest-paid-actors-is-genuinely-shocking\/","title":{"rendered":"This list of the world\u2019s highest paid actors is genuinely shocking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-post-title” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Black Han Sans|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”46px” header_letter_spacing=”4px” custom_margin=”25px||5px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

This list of the world\u2019s highest paid actors is genuinely shocking<\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”intro-wrap” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|on||||||” text_text_color=”#808080″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Why so few women, huh?<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”credit-name” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Black Han Sans|||on|||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_font=”|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Words by Georgia Aspinall<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1422044254.jpg” alt=” Mariska Hargity” title_text=”Apple TV+’s %22Gutsy%22 New York Premiere” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Who would you put money on being the highest paid actor in the world? We often see headlines about staggering payouts, like Robert Downey Jr earning $60million for the first Avengers film or Nicole Kidman raking in $41million in 2024 alone for her roles in Babygirl, A Family Affair and miniseries Lioness, Expats and The Perfect Couple. Frankly, its numbers that barely seem real in comparison to the salary expectations for the rest of us.<\/p>\n

Alas, figures like those are just child\u2019s play for the world\u2019s highest paid actors. According to Forbes annual breakdown of the entertainment business, many of the top-earning stars are earning hundreds of millions a year\u2026 seriously.<\/p>\n

So, who\u2019s at the top? We\u2019ve deep dived the list for you \u2013 and you may well be surprised at who ranks where. Us though? We’re more disappointed there’s so few women in the top 20 – three, at that. The gender pay gap remains the ultimate leveller for women then, even in Hollywood, right?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

1. Dwayne Johnson<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1248101417.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”The 95th Annual Academy Awards – Arrivals” alt=”Dwayne Johnson”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Taking the top spot is The Rock himself, earning $103million in 2024 alone for his roles in Amazon\u2019s Red One \u2013 which is believed to be the largest fee-plus-buyout in streaming history \u2013 for which he received an estimated $50million, while his negotiations on his involvement in Moana 2 \u2013 for which he served as a star and executive producer – \u00a0meant that Johnson took home a percentage of the box office profits \u2013 a staggering $1billion.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

2. Ryan Reynolds<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2163119512.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Ryan Reynolds” title_text=”Deadpool & Wolverine World Premiere”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

Having more than just acting in your arsenal certainly seems to be proving most lucrative for today’s film stars, with Reynolds earning more than ever thanks to his roles as lead producer and co-writer of Deadpool & Wolverine. Grossing more than $1.3billion, Reynolds made $100million in 2024 thanks to that becoming the biggest live action movie of the year, as well as his roles in John Krasinski’s IF and producing the new season of Welcome To Wrexham for Hulu.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

3. Kevin Hart<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1417540208.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Kevin Hart” title_text=”Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix’s %22Me Time%22 – Arrivals”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

Coming in third on the list, Hart grossed $108 million in 2024 but took home $81million net. He was in a vast array of TV series and movies last year, as well as performing a stand-up comedy tour across 90 shows.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

4. Jerry Seinfeld<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1743648137.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Jerry Seinfeld” title_text=”2023 Good+Foundation %22A Very Good+ Night of Comedy%22 Benefit”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

Grossing $70million last year, Seinfeld\u2019s stand-up and sitcom makes him a regular top earner. But it was his Netflix series, Unfrosted, a spoof on the invention of Pop Tarts, that helped him into the top five.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

5. Hugh Jackman<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2163119500.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Hugh Jackman” title_text=”Deadpool & Wolverine World Premiere”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

Given how much Ryan Reynolds made last year, it\u2019s hardly surprising Hugh Jackman came in fifth with gross earnings of $66million. We really need to find a way to star in the next Deadpool & Wolverine movie\u2026<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

6. Brad Pitt<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1456435294.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Brad Pitt” title_text=”%22Babylon%22 Paris Premiere At Le Grand Rex”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

Grossing $42million last year, Pitt is also making a ton from moving away from the front of the camera to back of house. His production company, Plan B, has both critical kudos and box office success thanks to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Nickel Boys. His new movie, F1, which streams on Apple TV is expected to make big bucks this year.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

7. George Clooney<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1828961585.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”George Clooney” title_text=”%22The Boys In The Boat%22 UK Premiere – VIP Access”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

What\u2019s a list of Hollywood\u2019s best without Clooney? Raking in $37million last year, it was reportedly the spy comedy Wolfs \u2013 with Brad Pitt \u2013 that earned Clooney his place on this list, although he denies being paid $35million for it.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

8. Nicole Kidman<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1677472118.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Nicole Kidman” title_text=”Kering Caring For Women Dinner”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

Finally, a woman! Nicole Kidman is doing it for all of us, earning $41million gross ($31million net) last year thanks to the aforementioned range of projects she worked across. The highest paid actress of the year, Kidman reportedly earns $1million per TV episode.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

9. Adam Sandler<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1474714966.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Adam Sandler” title_text=”24th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

It\u2019s Sandler\u2019s back catalogue being on Netflix that cemented his deal with the streaming giant, largely considered one of the best in the industry. He made Spaceman for the streamer, and is releasing Happy Gilmore 2 this year, which brough him in $35million last year.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

10. Will Smith<\/p>\n<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-464337244.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” alt=”Will Smith” title_text=”Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures’ %22Focus%22 – Arrivals”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

Taking 10th place is none other than Will Smith, who raked in $30million gross, after returning to the Bad Boys franchise that shot him to stardom. Bad Boys: Ride or Die grossed more than $400million at the box office, a mean feat.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ locked=”off”]

The rest of the list is where things start to get more shocking. TV actor Mariska Hargitay, for example, is the 11th best paid actor in the world thanks to her role on Law & Order: SVU, earning $750,000 per episode as well as a percentage of the shows syndication profits. We love a woman in business! Sadly, there\u2019s only one other woman in the top 20, Scarlett Johannson at 19 earning $25million gross. The men though? They\u2019re raking it in. Channing Tatum is 12th at $28million gross, Jason Statham 13th at $25million gross ($24million net), Mark Wahlberg 14th ($31million gross but $24million net) and Matt Damon ($30million gross but $23million net) 15th.\u00a0<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-477066848.jpg” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ alt=”Mariska Hargity and Taylor Swift” title_text=”Taylor Swift The 1989 World Tour Live In Philadelphia – Night 2″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Then comes John Cena ($30million gross, $23million net), Denzel Washington ($27million gross, $23million net), Jake Gyllenhaal ($26million gross, $22million net) and Joaquin Phoenix ($22million gross, $19million net) rounding out the top 20.<\/p>\n

So, there you have it, a bunch of people earning in one year more than most of us ever will! Now buy yourself a cookie to commiserate\u2026<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#111111″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” module_class=”custom-divider” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text module_class=”credit-texts” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|||on|||||” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Photos: <\/b>Getty<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why so few women, huh?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8170,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","category-news"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"guestgrazia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8154"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8172,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8154\/revisions\/8172"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}