Forbes 2019 Highest-Paid Actors List Released – Dwayne Johnson Comes Out on Top

Once considered the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson can now call himself the highest-paid actor in the industry. Thanks to the new list from Forbes, we can all get excited and judge the industry once again…is there anybody you think should be higher?

In total, Johnson pulled in an estimated $90 million between the beginning of June in 2018 and 2019. As a side note, the numbers are estimates using data from ComScore, Nielsen, IMDB, and Box Office Mojo (in addition to information from insiders in the industry!). In addition to this, the figures are before tax, so Johnson won’t have taken home this amount; they also don’t consider managers, lawyers, and agents. This being said, we’re sure Johnson was happy with his annual salary, nonetheless. 

Familiar Names Shine Once Again 

When looking at the list, it’s fair to say that it’s a hub of well-known names; it could easily be a list from five or ten years ago (barring a couple of recent additions to the industry). From second down, the top ten was rounded off with the following;

• Chris Hemsworth – $76 million 
• Robert Downey Jr – $66 million 
• Akshay Kumar – $65 million 
• Jackie Chan – $58 million 
• Bradley Cooper – $57 million 
• Adam Sandler – $57 million 
• Chris Evans – $44 million 
• Paul Rudd – $41 million 
• Will Smith – $35 million 

Of course, Marvel fans will instantly notice that five of the top ten appear in the Avengers series. Alongside Chris Hemsworth as the second-highest-paid actor, we find Robert Downey Jr, Bradley Cooper, Chris Evans, and Paul Rudd. 

Many years ago,Dwayne Johnson was causing a stir in the industry when he first decided to appear in movies. Before him, several professional wrestlers had crashed and burned…so, many experts assumed Johnson would be another name to add to the list. Considering he received an estimated $23.5 million for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, alongside a 15% box office bonus, it’s fair to say the risk paid off. 

Even after his movies, Johnson is thought to earn $650,000 for each of his Ballers episodes. Finally, he also earns money from royalties for his shoes, headphones, and clothing with Under Armor. 

Avengers Success 

Back to the Avengers, it was a great year for Robert Downey Jr who was paid $20 million for his role in Endgameas well as just under 8% of the pool. Considering this has now become the most successful film of all time and has broken all sorts of box office records, this 8% is thought to be worth $55 million…for one movie. 

If we were under any doubt as to the success of Endgame, half of the ten highest-paid actors came from this franchise. Will this ever happen again? Unlikely. 

What names do you expect to enter this list in 2020 and beyond?