Hollywood paychecks follow the same trend as the movies, being heavily dependent on the success of the blockbusters. Naturally, a lot of actors receive a fair amount of money, but only a handful of them see their names at the very top—making huge sums as a result of a mix of clever contracts, dominance in streaming, and efficient self-promotion. Besides the fact that these superstars are making a lot of money from their acting jobs, they are also producing, negotiating mega-deals, and putting their names wherever the audience looks. Below is a list of the 10 highest-paid actors in Hollywood, ranked from 10 to the undisputed number one.
10. Will Smith – $26 Million
After taking a temporary hiatus from the limelight, Will Smith burst back onto the scene with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, one of the handful of movies to gross more than $400 million globally in 2024. Going back to his most beloved role proved to be a good decision—both for his fans and his wallet.
9. Adam Sandler – $26 Million
Sandler’s Netflix deal is the stuff of legend. Either it’s mass-appeal crowd-pleasers (Happy Gilmore 2) or quirky endeavors (Spaceman), he’s producing them his way—and raking it in. Throw in the perpetual streaming of his classics, and the money keeps rolling in.
8. Nicole Kidman – $31 Million
Kidman is dominating the prestige miniseries universe. She has three big-name projects on Netflix, Paramount+, and Amazon—each paying more than $1 million an episode—plus two movies in which she co-starred with significantly younger leads, making her the top actress ranking this year.
7. George Clooney – $31 Million
Clooney partnered with Brad Pitt on the spy comedy Wolves, which was a hotly contested bidding war. Apple prevailed, handing over lots of money for the duo’s star power. Clooney might downplay the quoted figures, but the deal was an obvious financial success.
6. Brad Pitt – $32 Million
Still among the industry’s most bankable stars, Pitt next reprised with role in the next F1 racing movie. Behind the lens, his production house Plan B keeps racking up both box office and awards-season successes.
5. Hugh Jackman – $50 Million
Jackman’s return as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine was a nostalgic thrill for fans—and a financial jackpot. Teaming up with Ryan Reynolds for what’s likely his highest-grossing role to date, Jackman proved some comebacks are worth the wait.
4. Jerry Seinfeld – $60 Million
Thanks to the constant flow of Seinfeld syndication payments, Jerry’s still raking in huge amounts of money years after the show went off the air. His Unfrosted movie for Netflix, stand-up tours, and ownership of his back catalog keep him at or near the top of the pay list.
3. Kevin Hart – $81 Million
Hart’s everywhere—movies, series, podcasts, live shows. In 2024 alone, he headlined three films across multiple platforms, roasted Tom Brady on Netflix, and completed 90 stand-up shows. His relentless work ethic fuels both his brand and his bank account.
2. Ryan Reynolds – $85 Million
Deadpool & Wolverine, with their $1.3 billion at the box office, it would be hard not to be as much of a businessman as Reynolds is an actor. He was not about to have a down year with films like IF and the docuseries Welcome to Wrexham showing off his accomplishments as a brand-builder superior to most.
1. Dwayne Johnson – $88 Million
The Rock” still rules the box office. His deal to star in Amazon’s Red One set a new record for a streaming payout at around $50 million for that film alone. And when Moana 2 flipped from streaming to theaters, he negotiated profit participation-a Disney first for a voice actor. Between old titles, new projects, and relentless self-promotion, Johnson’s $88 million haul speaks for itself.
What the numbers say:
The top rung of Hollywood’s earners is populated by veterans—most in their 40s, 50s, or 70s—who’ve earned decades of goodwill from studios and audiences. The average age of the top 20 is just over 54, according to Forbes. Stars like Zendaya or Timothée Chalamet can be enormous draws, but they signed their most lucrative deals before their current fame, keeping them out of the top-earning rung… for the moment.
Streaming has changed the game, with up-front buyouts taking the place of the traditional “back-end” profit deals. That’s where the top performers can earn more than ever before, but even more working actors earn significantly less, with many barely qualifying for minimum health insurance. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has emphasized that the overwhelming majority of members aren’t raking in millions—they’re just trying to pay the bills.
The gender gap remains, too. Nicole Kidman may top the women’s list this year, but parity is still a distant goal. The World Economic Forum estimates we’re more than a century away from full equality in pay and senior roles. So, while a small group of stars is richer than ever, the rest of the industry is still fighting for a fairer, more balanced future.