Hollywood actors have always made big money. 2024 was no exception. Forbes recently released its ranking of the highest-paid actors of the year. Let's find out who secured the top spots.
1st rank – Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson ranks first as he earned $88 million in 2024. His biggest payday came from Amazon’s “Mission: Red”, for which he received a record-breaking $50 million. Besides, Johnson cashed in on the massive box office success of “Moana 2”, where he reprised his role as Maui. The animated film grossed over $1 billion worldwide, and Johnson’s contract set a new precedent for Disney’s animation division. Beyond acting, Johnson continues to profit from his business ventures, particularly his Tequila Teremana brand.
2nd rank – Ryan Reynolds
With $85 million in earnings, Ryan Reynolds secured second place on the list. His biggest success came from the sci-fi action film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which raked in $1.3 billion at the global box office. In addition to starring in the movie, Reynolds also produced it and co-wrote the script. In 2024, Reynolds also starred in the family-friendly film “IF” (Imaginary Friends) and played a role in the drama “It Ends with Us”, where he also contributed to script revisions.
3rd rank – Kevin Hart
The third rank goes to Kevin Hart, who earned $81 million in 2024. His biggest hits included the sci-fi action film “Borderlands”, the thriller “Air Heist”, and Season 2 of the TV series “Hart to Hart.” Hart also launched a mini-series “Fight Night”, hosted Netflix’s “Tom Brady Roast”, and performed 90 stand-up shows. He further boosted his income through endorsement deals with DraftKings and Chase Bank, as well as his hit Spotify podcast “Gold Minds”.
4th rank – Jerry Seinfeld
Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld continues to earn massive paychecks, decades after his iconic sitcom ended. In 2024, he added $60 million to his net worth, thanks to ongoing stand-up tours and consistent earnings from "Seinfeld," which still generates eight-figure royalties annually. Last year, Seinfeld also wrote, directed, and starred in the Netflix film “Unfrosted”, further contributing to his fortune.
5th rank – Hugh Jackman
With $50 million in earnings, Hugh Jackman notched fifth rank. His biggest paycheck came from his return as Wolverine in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” After his emotional farewell to the character in “Logan” (2017), Jackman had no plans to reprise the role. However, a lucrative deal and the chance to work with Ryan Reynolds again convinced him otherwise. The film’s record-breaking box office success made it Jackman’s most profitable project ever.
6th rank – Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt takes sixth place, earning $32 million in 2024. His biggest hit was the Apple TV crime thriller “Wolves,” where he starred alongside George Clooney. Outside of acting, Pitt continues to grow his production company, Plan B, which released several major projects in 2024, including the fantasy sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and the Oscar-nominated drama “The Nickel Boys”.
7th rank – George Clooney
Last year, George Clooney earned $31 million, with his biggest financial success also being “Wolves” alongside Brad Pitt. Although Clooney publicly denied rumors of a massive paycheck, Apple TV+ confirmed that they paid a hefty sum for exclusive rights to the project. Apart from acting, Clooney continues to profit from producing and his Casamigos tequila brand, one of the world’s most successful alcohol brands.
8th rank – Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman was the highest-paid actress of 2024, earning approximately $31 million. She starred in three major mini-series such as “The Perfect Couple” (Netflix), “Special Ops: Lioness” (Paramount+), and “Expats” (Amazon). On the big screen, she appeared in the thriller “Bad Girl” and the romantic drama “Family Affair.” Kidman also continues to make millions from endorsements and producing.
9th rank – Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler maintains his steady earnings thanks to his exclusive Netflix deal, which allows him to produce both blockbusters and indie projects. In 2024, Sandler earned $26 million, primarily from his latest film, “Spaceman,” where he played the lead role. His library of past Netflix films remains wildly popular, generating hundreds of millions of viewing hours annually and ensuring steady revenue through residuals.
10th rank – Will Smith
Will Smith with $26 million in earnings rounds out the list of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors. His biggest success came from the blockbuster sequel “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which grossed over $400 million worldwide. Beyond acting, Smith continues to expand his media business, take on producing projects, and engage with his massive social media following.