Top 10 Highest Paid Actors in Asia 2015
Asia has produced some of the best actors in the world. Each year hundreds of films are released across the continent. The film industry is expanding in popularity and some of the high budget movie producers and studios are willing to pay these actors massive paychecks.
We look at the top 10 highest paid Asian actors in 2015, according Forbes.
Guangzhou-born actor, martial artist, film director, producer, and action choreographer, Donnie Yen is considered to be Hong Kong’s top action star. Yen who holds black belt in Judo is currently one of the highest paid actors in Asia. According to the 2015 Forbes China Celebrity list, Yen earned an estimated $7.2 million (46 million yuan) between 2014-2015.
Popular Chinese actor, model and singer Huang Xiaoming is one of the top-earning actors in China’s entertainment industry. Xiaoming earned a total of $12.4 million (79 million yuan), according to the 2015 Forbes China Celebrity list thanks to his appeareances in several box office hits in 2014 including ‘Love in the Buff’, ‘An Inaccurate Memoir’ and ‘White-Haired Witch.’ His endorsement deals include Olay, Baleno, and Tissot.
Hong Kong actor and singer Andy Lau earned an estimated $13 milllion according to Forbes list of world’s highest-paid actors. Lau who starred alongside Chow Yun-fat in 2015’s “From Vegas to Macau II,” is one of China’s most powerful megastars.
Indian actor Ranbir Kapoor made his debut on Forbes' Highest-Paid Actors list with a total earnings of $15 million thanks to huge pay checks for his roles in “Roy” and “Bombay Velvet.” He is the 30th top-earning actor in the world. Kapoor is seen as one of the most likable and in-demand actor among Bollywood’s directors.
Hong Kong and Hollywood actor, Donald Chow Yun-fat, best known as Chow Yun-fat, has starred in over 121 films and 24 television series; which include Chinese, Asian and Hollywood Movies. In 2014, Chow was ranked Hong Kong's second highest-earning actor with a total earnings of earning $21.9 million (170 million HKD) and in 2015 he made his debut on Forbes' Highest-Paid Actors list with total earnings of $18 million thanks to movies like “From Vegas to Macau II.”
Dubbed the “King of Bollywood,” Khan is the richest actor in India and second richest in the world. Forbes reported his 2015 earnings at $26 million thanks to movies like ‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Fan,’ as well as lucrative endorsement deals with big brands such as Pan Masala.
Akshay Kumar is one of the biggest and busiest names in Bollywood. The actor, producer and martial artist has appeared in over a hundred films. The leading man films an average of four movies each year. He earned big for his roles in the 2015 movies “Baby” and “Gabbar.” He is also bolstering his earnings as host of Indian reality TV show “Khatro ke khiladi” and through endorsements. Forbes estimated his 2014-2015 earnings at $32.5 million; making him the 9th best-paid actor in the world.
Considered as the biggest star in Bollywood, Salman Khan has appeared in over 80 movies since his 1989 breakthrough role in the musical romantic film “Maine Pyar Kiya.” Khan continues to earn big as producer, actor, endorser and entrepreneur; with his clothing line Khan’s Being Human which reported $30 million in revenue (profits going to his foundation) last year. His endorsement deals include Thums Up (India’s Coca-Cola) and Suzuki. The controversial actor is also the most charitable actor in India. His hit movies include the 2014 flick “Kick.” Forbes put his 2014-2015 earnings at $33.5 million.
Like Salman Khan, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan brought in $33.5 million between 2014-2015. He has starred in more than 180 movies in his 46-year career. Bachchan boosts his earnings as the longtime host of India’s version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” (“Kaun Banega Crorepati”). He also earn a cut of ticketing revenue of his past movies. Bachchan made his Hollywood debut in 2013 in movie “The Great Gatsby.”
Chan top the list with $50 million earned between 2014-2015, according to Forbes. He is regarded as the most popular Chinese star in the world thanks to his unique blend of impressive screwball physical comedy and martial arts. The kung-fu icon and Hollywood star is one of the few actors to have performed all of his stunts. He has appeared in over 150 movies. He bolstered his earnings through back-end participation and starring in “Dragon Blade,” which grossed $120 million in China.
