As per Forbes’ estimates, these are the top 17 highest paid actors of 2015.
17) Kevin Hart (Earnings: $28.5 million)
Los Angeles-based 36-year-old actor, comedian, writer and producer Kevin Hart has been earning more than an average comedian for the past few years. His earnings skyrocketed after starring in hit movies like Think Like a Man Too.
16) Jim Parsons (Earnings: $29 million)
Jim Parsons has won four Emmys for his portrayal of Geeky know-it-all Sheldon Cooper in CBS’ hit show The Big Bang Theory. Last August he negotiated a Friends-like $1 million per episode contract, earning a raise that has more than doubled his income from last year.
15) Channing Tatum (Earnings: $29 million)
This 35-year-old American actor, dancer, model and movie producer’s 2012 Magic Mike was a super hit. It grossed $167 million on a $7 million budget. His star is definitely on the rise.
14) Leonardo DiCaprio (Earnings: $29 million)
Leonardo DiCaprio is returning to the big screen in 2015 with the hotly anticipated The Revenant. Many experts believe it to be an Oscar hopeful.
13) Johnny Depp (Earnings: $30 million)
American actor, producer and musician John Christopher “Johnny” Depp is exploring gritty territory in Black Mass, the story of violent criminal Whitey Bulger who became an FBI informant. He had delayed production in 2013 when its producers had balked at paying him $23 million.
12) Dwayne Johnson (Earnings: $31.5 million)
Miami-based 43-year-old American and Canadian actor, producer and professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson is moving from the ring to the small screen. His movie San Andreas grossed $385 million.
11) Mark Wahlberg (Earnings: $32 million)
Mark Wahlberg’s 2012 Ted grossed $549 million on a $50 million budget. His company produced the Entourage movie; its latest HBO offering is Dwayne Johnson’s football comedy Ballers.
10) Akshay Kumar (Earnings: $32.5 million)
This 47-year-old Bollywood superstar earns a cut of each of his movie’s ticketing revenue. He hosts Indian reality television show Dare 2 Dance. Akshay endorses products like motor cycles, steel pipes and white vests.
9) Salman Khan (Earnings: $33.5 million)
Immensely successful Indian film actor and producer Salman Khan’s 2014 movie Kick was a blockbuster. His Being Human clothing line earned $30 million revenue in 2014. He also earns by endorsing brands like Suzuki and Thums Up.
8) Amitabh Bachchan (Earnings: $33.5 million)
Legendary Amitabh Bachchan has acted in more than 150 movies. He continues to earn well for his roles in movies like 2014’s Bhoothnath Returns. He also earns by hosting India’s version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Kaun Banega Crorepati.
7) Jerry Seinfeld (Earnings: $36 million)
This 61-year-old American comedian, actor, writer and producer is best known for playing a semi fictional version of himself in the sitcom Seinfeld. Hulu purchased the rights to the sitcom in a staggering $160 million deal.
6) Tom Cruise (Earnings: $40 million)
American actor and film maker Tom Cruise has fans all over the world. He earned around $40 million in profit from 2012’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. The movie grossed $694.7 million worldwide.
5) Adam Sandler (Earnings: $41 million)
Los Angeles-based 48-year-old American actor, comedian, screenwriter, entrepreneur, film producer and musician Adam Sandler may not have had an out-and-out multiplex hit. But he continues to command top dollar for bloated budget movies like 2015’s Pixels.
4) Bradley Cooper (Earnings: $41.5 million)
Bradley Cooper has done well to balance popcorn cheese like Aloha with Oscar-worthy movies like American Sniper. He produced and acted in the latter. He runs his production company with Hangover director Todd Phillips.
3)Vin Diesel (Earnings: $47 million)
This 47-year-old American actor, director, screenwriter and producer sped his way to the best annual paycheck of is career this year. This was due to his role as Dominic Toretto in Fast and Furious franchise. The latest installment of the franchise, Furious 7, grossed $1.5 billion at the box office. 77 percent of that was from outside the US.
2) Jackie Chan (Earnings: $50 million)
Master of martial arts, singer, film director and producer Jackie Chan is China’s biggest movie star. His empire includes a Segway dealership, a line of Chan-branded merchandise and an eponymous cinema chain. He got a boost from back-end participation on Dragon Blade, which featured him in a starring role alongside Adrian Brody and John Cusack. The movie grossed $120 million in China alone.
1) Robert Downey, Jr. (Earnings: $80 million)
American actor Robert Downey, Jr. has acted in several films that have grossed more than $500 million at the global box office. Three of his movies: The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Iron Man 3, each made more than $1 billion.
