15 Highest Paid Hollywood Actors of All Time and The Role They Played
Hollywood continues to dominate the movie industry internationally. Many people are making good money from the industry. We are thrilled to share with you the 15 highest-paid Hollywood actors of all time.
1. Top Gun: Maverick: Tom Cruise $100 million
Tom Cruise is an American actor and producer who was born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York. He began acting in the early 1980s and made several movies and television appearances. Tom Cruise is a famous actor who has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won three Golden Globe Awards he is among our list of Highest Paid Hollywood Actors of All Time.
In the movie, Maverick is confronted with his past and is requested to train a group of younger Top Gun grads for a dangerous mission.
It is reported that Tom Cruise will make about $100 million from Top Gun: Maverick. Cruise took a small upfront payment of $13 million in exchange for a richer backend deal, in which he gets a cut of the movie’s ticket sales according to a source from Variety Top Gun: Maverick made a total of $1.2 billion in the box office worldwide with $620 million from the US alone.
Tom Cruise making $100 million from Top Guns is one of the highest pays for a single actor in Hollywood.
2. Knives Out sequels: Daniel Craig $100 million
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, written, directed, and produced by Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, is a 2022 American mystery film.
It is a standalone sequel to the 2019 film Knives Out, starring Daniel Craig as master detective Benoit Blanc as he takes on a fresh investigation involving tech tycoon Miles Bron and his close friends.
Daniel Craig is reported to have made around 100 million for the two sequels playing Detective Benoit Blanc he is among our list of Highest Paid Hollywood Actors of All Time.
This is no surprise since the actor is one of the most iconic Hollywood actors earning USD 13.3 million in the first five days of its limited, one-week-long theatrical release smashing the box office record for a Netflix pre-streaming movie. The movie made about $313 million globally.
3. Men in Black 3: Will Smith $100 million
The Men in Black franchise is a series of science fiction action-comedy films that follow the adventures of a secret organization that monitors and regulates alien activity on Earth. Will Smith starred as Agent J, a wisecracking and talented agent who teams up with the more stoic and experienced Agent K, played by Tommy Lee Jones, to investigate various extraterrestrial threats.
He first appeared as Agent J in the original Men in Black film in 1997, which was a huge success and grossed over $589 million worldwide. He reprised the role in the 2002 sequel, Men in Black II, which was also successful at the box office.
Men in Black 3, which was released a decade later in 2012, see Agent J time-traveling back to 1969 to stop an alien criminal from killing Agent K and changing the course of history. Smith’s performance in the film was praised by many reviewers, particularly for his chemistry with Josh Brolin, who portrayed a younger version of Agent K.
Will Smith’s performance in the Men in Black franchise helped establish him as a versatile and charismatic leading man in Hollywood he is among our list of Highest Paid Hollywood Actors of All Time.
Will Smith is reported to have earned about $100 million in all three movies.
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4. The Matrix trilogy: Keanu Reeves $83.3 million each ($$250 million)
Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor who was born on September 2, 1964, in Beirut and raised in Toronto he is among our list of Highest Paid Hollywood Actors of All Time.
Keanu Reeves starred as Neo in The Matrix trilogy, a series of science fiction action films that revolutionized the action movie genre and became a cultural phenomenon. The first Matrix film was released in 1999 and was directed by the Wachowskis, who also wrote the screenplay.
The movie was a huge success and grossed over $463 million worldwide, receiving critical acclaim for its innovative visual effects, complex themes, and memorable characters.
Reeves’ portrayal of Neo discovers that the world he knows is a simulated reality controlled by machines. The character of Neo is a hero with the destiny of “The One” who can defeat the machines and free humanity from their control. Reeves’ performance is marked by a combination of physicality and introspection, as he learns to master his new reality and embrace his role as a leader of the resistance.
Keanu Reeves has earned about $250 million from the Matrix trilogy earning over $80 million from each movie.
5. Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol: Tom Cruise $75 million
Tom Cruise starred in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the fourth installment in the Mission: Impossible film series. The movie was released in 2011 and was directed by Brad Bird.
Cruise portrayed Ethan Hunt, a highly trained and clever agent for the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The plot of the film sees Hunt and his team attempting to stop a terrorist from launching a nuclear attack on the United States.
Cruise’s performance in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol was praised by critics and audiences, who lauded his continued commitment to performing his own stunts and his ability to bring depth and complexity to the character of Ethan Hunt.
The film was a box office success, grossing over $694 million worldwide, and is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the Mission: Impossible franchise with Tom Cruise earning about $75 million.
6. Iron Man 3: Robert Downey Jr. $75 million
Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark/Iron Man in “Iron Man 3,” a superhero movie from 2013 that is based on the Marvel Comics character and directed by Shane Black.
The plot of the film follows Tony Stark as he grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the events of “The Avengers.”
He becomes embroiled in a conflict with a new villain called the Mandarin, who is responsible for a string of bombings across the United States.
As the Mandarin’s attacks become increasingly personal, Tony must confront his own demons and find a way to stop the villain before it’s too late.
The film was a commercial success, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide, and received generally positive reviews from critics. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as Tony Stark/Iron Man was praised for its wit and emotional depth, and the film’s themes of PTSD and the consequences of war were also praised as being timely and relevant.
7. Free Guy: Ryan Reynolds $71.5 million
“Free Guy” is a 2021 action-comedy film directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead role.
The film follows the story of Guy, a non-player character (NPC) in a video game called “Free City,” who becomes self-aware and sets out to become the hero of his own story.
“Free Guy” was a commercial success, grossing over $320 million worldwide, and received generally positive reviews from critics. Reynolds’ performance as Guy was praised for its comedic timing and charm and the film’s themes of individual agency and the power of gaming were also praised.
8. Gravity: Sandra Bullock $70 million
“Gravity,” directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, is a 2013 science fiction thriller movie. The movie tells the story of two astronauts, Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (Clooney), who are stranded in space after their shuttle is destroyed by debris from a satellite.
Sandra Bullock’s character, Dr. Ryan Stone, is a medical engineer who is on her first space mission. After the shuttle is destroyed, she is left alone in space and must use her ingenuity and resourcefulness to survive.
“Gravity” was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $723 million worldwide and winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Director for Cuarón. Bullock’s performance was widely praised, and she was nominated for numerous awards, including a Best Actress Oscar.
9. Alice in Wonderland: Johnny Depp $68 million
“Alice in Wonderland” is a 2010 fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, and Helena Bonham Carter. The novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll was the idea for the movie.
In the movie, Johnny Depp plays Mad Hatter, a quirky and eccentric character who becomes Alice’s ally on her journey through Wonderland.
As Alice navigates her way through Wonderland, she meets a host of strange and fantastical characters, including the Red Queen (Bonham Carter) and the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), who are engaged in a battle for control of the realm.
The film was a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide, and was praised for its visual style and imaginative storytelling.
Johnny Depp’s performance as the Mad Hatter was widely praised, and his portrayal of the character became one of the film’s most memorable elements which makes her one of Highest Paid Hollywood Actor of All Time.
10. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Harrison Ford $65 million
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is a 2008 action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford as the iconic archaeologist Indiana Jones. The film is the fourth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise, and takes place in the late 1950s, with Jones facing off against Soviet agents who are seeking the power of an ancient artifact known as the Crystal Skull.
Ford’s performance as Jones is marked by his trademark wit, charm, and athleticism, as well as a sense of vulnerability and mortality that comes with age. Despite being in his 60s at the time of filming, Ford was still able to convincingly portray the physical demands of the role.
The film was a commercial success, grossing over $790 million worldwide, but received mixed reviews from critics and fans.
Despite the mixed reception, Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Indiana Jones remains an iconic and beloved cinematic character.
11. Forrest Gump: Tom Hanks $60 million
Tom Hanks is an American actor known for his versatile range and ability to bring depth and authenticity to his roles. One of his most iconic performances was in the 1994 film “Forrest Gump,” directed by Robert Zemeckis.
In the film, Hanks plays the title character, Forrest Gump, a simple-minded man with a heart of gold who unwittingly finds himself at the center of some of the most significant events of the 20th century. Hanks’ performance in the film is widely regarded as one of his best, and he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Forrest.
Tom Hanks’ performance in “Forrest Gump” is a testament to his skill as an actor and his ability to bring a character to life on screen which makes us list him on our list of Highest Paid Hollywood Actors of All Time.
12. Pirates of the Caribbean: Johnny Depp $90 million
It has been widely reported that Johnny Depp earned a significant amount of money for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise. While the exact amount of his earnings is not publicly known, it has been estimated that he made around $90 million for the first four films in the series, which were released between 2003 and 2011.
Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow is one of his most iconic roles, and the character has become a beloved figure in popular culture.
Depp’s performance is marked by his wit, charm, and eccentricity, and he has received critical acclaim and numerous award nominations for his work in the role.
13. Avengers: Infinity War: Robert Downey Jr. $75 million
Robert Downey Jr. is an American actor who played the roles of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe one of the most famous movies ever. It is reported that he made a significant amount of money from his role in the 2018 film “Avengers: Infinity War,” but the exact figure is not publicly known.
However, according to various reports, it has been estimated that Downey Jr. earned around $75 million for his role in “Avengers: Infinity War.” This is not surprising given his status as one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in Hollywood.
Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a defining role in his career, and he has become one of the most beloved and iconic characters in the superhero genre. His performance is marked by his wit, charisma, and emotional depth, and he has received critical acclaim and numerous award nominations for his work in the role.
Overall, Robert Downey Jr.’s work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and specifically his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man, has been a significant part of his career he is among our list of Highest Paid Hollywood Actors of All Time.
14. Adam Sandler: ‘The Ridiculous Six’, he made: $62.5 million
Adam Sandler is an American actor, comedian, and producer, known for his unique comedic style, which has made him a beloved figure in popular culture. Which of his movies do you remember?
It has been reported that Sandler made a significant amount of money for his role in the 2015 Western comedy “The Ridiculous Six,” which was produced by his production company, Happy Madison Productions.
According to reports, Sandler signed a four-movie deal with Netflix in 2014, which included “The Ridiculous Six.” It has been estimated that he made around $62.5 million for his work on the film, which was released exclusively on Netflix.
Sandler’s work in “The Ridiculous Six” is marked by his signature brand of comedy, which includes slapstick humor, witty one-liners, and over-the-top antics. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was generally well-received by audiences and became one of the most-watched movies on Netflix at the time of its release.
15. Chris Hemsworth – $45 million
Chris Hemsworth has starred in many successful movies throughout his career, and it can be difficult to determine which one was his highest-paid movie. However, according to Forbes, in 2019, Hemsworth’s highest-paying role was in the Netflix original film “Extraction,” for which he reportedly earned $45 million.
“Extraction,” which was released in April 2020, was a hit for Netflix and received positive reviews for its intense action sequences and Hemsworth’s performance as the lead character. The film follows a black-market mercenary who is hired to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord.
While “Extraction” is Hemsworth’s highest-paying movie role to date, it is worth noting that he has earned significant sums for his work in other movies as well, including his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Regardless of the specific amounts, Hemsworth’s talent and popularity have made him one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, and his work is sure to continue to be celebrated by fans for years to come.
