Top 10 Highest Paid Actors
Lots of kids grow up with dreams of being actors and actresses. For those that make it, there is fame and international recognition beyond most peoples’ wildest dreams. It is a difficult business to succeed in, though, and most will ultimately have to give up their dreams and find regular jobs.
For those that do make it, there is a world of opulence and extravagance with parties and the chance to brush shoulders with other international superstars. Plus, of course, there is a chance to become incredibly wealthy, leaving the stars able to buy extravagant mansions and other luxury items. Of all the successful actors in the world, here’s a list of the 10 wealthiest.
1. Will Smith - $35 million
Will Smith, full name Willard Carroll Smith Jr., first became a mainstream actor when he starred in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1990 to 1996. He has been almost ever present in showbiz ever since, starring in movies and following a music career. He has three children, including Jaden Smith, who is pursuing an acting career himself.
Smith has starred in a number of blockbusting movies, including Men in Black, in which he played Agent J, a talented individual who did not always take things easily. He is known mostly for playing comedic roles, but is also adept in more serious roles. He comes in as the 10th high paid actor at around $35 million.
2. Paul Rudd - $41 million
Paul Rudd’s first screen appearance was in 1992 when he played Quimby Philby in Sisters, which was US TV drama. It was in 1995 that he got his first appearance on the big screen when he played Josh Lucas in the cult hit Clueless. Rudd also played Brian Fantana in the hit comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
His latest movie appearance was as Ant-Man in Avengers: Endgame. Rudd is a family man and has been married to his wife, Yaeger, since 2003. The couple have two children together. A son named Jack, and a daughter named Darby. He comes in at number 9 on the list of highest paid actors of 2019 with earnings of around $41 million.
3. Chris Evans - $43.5 million
Chris Evans is an American actor from Boston, Massachusetts. His first screen appearance was in the year 2000 when he appeared in Opposite Sex, which was a comedy-drama that was aired on Fox. Other movies he has acted in include Snowpiercer and Not Another Teen Movie.
It was in 2005 that Evans first drew significant attention when he played the human Torch in Marvel Comic’s Fantastic Four, and its sequel in 2007. He also played Captain America/Steve Rogers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making appearances in 11 films overall. Evans comes in at number 8 in the list of highest paid actors with earnings of $43.5 million in 2019.
4. Adam Sandler - $57 million
Adam Sandler, from New York City, is a popular comedic actor who has appeared in a number of hits. He first came on the scene as a cast member with Saturday Night Live. Some of the more notable movies he starred in include The Wedding Singer and The Waterboy. Although mostly considered to be a comedic actor, Sandler has also performed well in some serious roles, including his role in Reign Over Me.
Sandler has been married to Jacqueline Titone since 2003 and the couple have two children together. With earnings of $57 million in 2019, Sandler comes in at number 7 on the list of highest paid actors.
5. Bradley Cooper - $57 million
Bradley Cooper was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His first screen performance was in 1999 when he had a guest appearance in Sex and the City. It was in 2001 that Cooper first started to gain recognition in the TV shows Alias, in which he played Will Tippin.
It was in 2009, however, that Cooper first became a prominent actor thanks to his performance as Phil Wenneck in the hit The Hangover. He has since gone on to star in other hits and has won a number of awards, including Academy Awards and Golden Globes. With earnings of around $57 million in 2019, Cooper is joint 7th on the list of highest earning actors.
6. Jackie Chan - $58 million
Jackie Chan was born in Hong Kong and emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1960. From a young age, Chan practiced in acrobatics and martial arts in which he excelled. It is these skills that led to him performing in some of the most successful action movies, and his first film performance came when he was only 8 years old.
Chan has played a part in a host of action movies, either as an actor or a stuntman, many of which were Chinese made. Chan has also seen success in comedy action movies, including Shanghai Noon, for which he received a Blockbuster Entertainment Award. With earnings of approximately $58 million, Chan is 5th on the list.
7. Akshay Kumar - $65 million
Kumar is a Canadian citizen but was born in India. He made his first appearance on the screen in 1991 in the Bollywood movie Saugandh. Since then, he has gone on to become one of the most successful Bollywood actors of all time and has starred in more than 100 movies.
Kumar has won 50 awards during his career, including being granted India’s 4th highest civilian award: ‘The Civilian Award’. He is married to actress Twinkle Khanna and the couple have two children together. With earnings of $65 million, Kumar is in 4th place in the list of highest paid actors.
8. Robert Downey Jr. - $66 million
Robert Downey Jr. was born in New York City. His first acting performance came when he was only 5 years old, in a movie that was directed by his father. In his younger years, Downey Jr. had considerable problems with drugs, alcohol, and legal problems, but he has remained sober since 2003.
Downey Jr. has starred in a number of successful movies, perhaps the most significant of which is his part as Tony Stark in Iron Man. He was married to producer Susan Levin in 2005, and Downey Jr. credits her with helping him to stay sober. Downey Jr. comes in at number 3 on the list of highest paid actors, with earnings of around $66 million in 2019.
9. Chris Hemsworth - $76.4 million
Hemsworth is an Australian actor who was born in Melbourne in 1983. His first major role was as Kim Hyde in the Australian soap opera, Home and Away. His first Hollywood role came in 2009 when he played James T Kirk’s father, George Kirk, in Star Trek. He has two brothers, Luke and Liam, who are also actors.
Hemsworth’s most successful roles have been as Thor in the movies Thor and Avengers: Endgame. In 2010, Hemsworth married Spanish actress and model, Elsa Pataky, and the couple have 3 children together. Hemsworth is currently the 2nd highest paid actor in the world with 2019 earnings of around $76.4 million.
10. Dwayne Johnson - $89.4 million
Johnson, who was born in Hayward, California in 1972, has both American and Canadian citizenship. Before Johnson moved into acting, he was best known as ‘The Rock’ as a professional WWE wrestler. Johnson also won a national championship with the University of Miami college football team in 1991.
Johnson’s first acting role came in 2001 when he played the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns. Johnson also went on to perform in other movie roles, including as Luke Hobbs in the Fast and Furious franchise. With earnings of approximately $89.4 million in 2019, Johnson is currently the highest paid actor in the world.
