Being a big name Hollywood star is a profitable business – as these figures show.
They’re amongst the most lauded and famous people on the planet – and the leading lights of the acting world can command millions of dollars to sign up to star in the latest blockbuster movie.
Add in enormous bonuses for box office success, advertising deals and shrewd investments, and actors can become extremely wealthy.
We’ve taken a look at those who have banked the most bucks out of the film businesses.
For the purposes of this list we’ve chosen people who are predominantly known for being actors, rather than those who have a sideline in acting – meaning the likes of Oprah Winfrey ($3.5 billion), former child actor Brock Pierce ($2 billion), and Simon Cowell ($600 million) do not appear.
With that being said, here are the top 10 richest actors in the world in 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth.
1. Tom Cruise
Top Gun and Mission: Impossible star has been at the top of the acting world for decades and also tops this list – with an estimated fortune of $600 million.
2. George Clooney
In joint second spot, with around $500 million to his name, is George Clooney. First finding fame in television series ER, he’s appeared in countless cinema blockbusters as well as turning his hand to directing – most recently with this year’s The Boys in the Boat.
3. Robert De Niro
Arguably the most talented actor of his generation, Robert De Niro has bagged two Oscars for his roles in Raging Bull and The Godfather Part II. He’s also managed to profit from his acting s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s – with a fortune estimated at $500 million.
4. Arnold Schwarzenegger
With an incredible career that has spanned body building, acting and politics, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s success at everything he turns his hand to has led to him amassing an estimated fortune of $450 million.
5. Mel Gibson
He may have courted controversy over the latter part of his career, but Mel Gibson’s roles in the likes of Braveheart, Mad Max, Lethal Weapon and Ransom (along with some shrewd investing) have earned him an estimated $425 million.
6. Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is one of seven stars estimated to be worth around $400 million. The double Oscar winner (Best Supporting Winner for Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood and Best Picture for producing 12 Years A Slave) looks equally comfortable acting in blockbusters and arthouse films.
7. Jack Nicholson
He may have retired, but 86-year-old Jack Nicholson doesn’t exactly need to work – roles in films from Batoman to One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest have earned him countless awards along with a fortune of around $400 million.
8. Jackie Chan
Hong Kong kung-fu master Jackie Chan is another member of the $400 million club thanks to a string of money-spinning martial arts movies.
9. Jennifer Lopez
J-Lo has made a fair bit of cash from her pop career, but we reckon she’s just as well known for her film roles such as Out of Sight. Indeed her latest album This is Me…Now comes with its own movie – This is Me…Now: A Love Story. Her dual talents have earned her in the region of $400 million.
10. Mark Wahlberg
First making a splash in the 1990s music industry under his rap name Marky Mark, Mark Wahlberg has become one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, with around $400 million to show for it.
11. Sylvester Stallone
Rocky and Rambo star Sylvester Stallone has produced, written, acted in and directed films that have grossed around $4 billion – so his earnings of around $400 million seem pretty fair.
12. Tom Hanks
Winner of two back-to-back Best Actor Oscars – for Forrest Gump and Philadelphia, Tom Hanks completes our list having earned around $400 million in his career.
