Cinema has been an integral part of our lives write from the start. It is a field of glamour, luck and money apart from the hard work of those working behind the screen. Here is a list of some determined actors who have earned a great fortune in this field.
This article will provide insights into the following topics:
- List of highest paid film actors
- Forbes' highest paid actors 2020
- Highest paid actors in the world
10. Will Smith: $35 million
William Carroll Smith Jr., who is renowned by the name Fresh Prince, was born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an American actor, producer, comedian, rapper and songwriter, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards as well as won four Grammy Awards. His mother was a school board administrator and father was a refrigerator engineer. He has three siblings- an elder sister Pamela and two younger twins. He was raised as a Baptist, received formal education from Over-brook High School. Even though he had a pretty good SAT score and an offer for joining MIT, he pursued his career in the direction of music, skipping the college. He married Sheree Zampino in 1992 and had a son with her, Tery Smith, got divorced in 1995. Subsequently, he met Jada Koren Pinkett, tied the knot in 1997, with her, he has two kids- Jaden Christopher Syre Smith and Willow Camille Reign Smith. Presently, they stay in Los Angeles, California.
He started his career working with a childhood companion (Dj Jazzy Jeff and Reddy Rock C). They came up with some renowned songs such as" parents just don't understand" and" Summertime" which were critics acclaimed in the Grammys. His fame started with the rap songs he wrote under the name of The Fresh Prince and increased considerably through the NBC television series – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Subsequently, he starred in numerous blockbuster films. He also received the best Oscar nomination for the- Ali and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Furthermore, the Guinness Book of World Records quoted his name for attending three premieres in a day. He is the only actor with eight successive movies making $100 million in the USA box office. He has also stood as the most bankable star worldwide by Forbes.
He is famous for his role in a lot of movies, some of them are – Bad Boys (1995), Independence Day (1996), Men in Black, The Matrix, Brilliance, Concussion. He has also portrayed the role of father, alongside his son Jaden, in two movies- Pursuit of Happiness and After Earth.
Smith is recognised by his big ears, goofy voice and his catchphrase' Aw, hell no.' He usually performs the role of a policeman or an agent who is wise and rebellious.
9. Paul Rudd: $41 million
Paul Stephen Rudd, the famous American actor, was born on April 6, 1969, in Passaic, New Jersey to a Jewish couple - Michael and Gloria. He has a three years younger sister. His dad used to work in airlines earlier, so they had to travel a lot, then they eventually settled in Overland Park, Kansas. He married Julie Rudd in February 2003, and they have two children together. He went to Broadmoor Junior High and Shawnee Mission West High School. He was the Student Body President and graduated in 1987. Later, he completed his major in theatre from the University of Kansas, followed by graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, in Los Angeles. He also attended a workshop under the guidance of Michael Kahn at the British Drama Academy, Oxford University. He made his debut in the NBC television series- Sisters.
He has worked as an actor, producer and screenwriter in various television series and movies. Some of his notable works are- Halloween; The Curse of Michael Myers, Romeo+ Juliet, Clueless, Wet Hot American Summer, The 40-year-old Virgin, Knocked Up, This is &0, Ideal Home, and many more. He has also been featured in numerous television series- as Mike Hannigan in FRIENDS, a Golden Globe Awards nomination for the best actor in a comedy role for his dual role in the sitcom- Living with Yourself. He has hosted the show Saturday night Live many times. Besides, he has produced Howard Breton's Bloody Poetry, in which he played the role of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Nonetheless, Rudd attained a lot of glamour for his iconic character of Antman in the Marvel movies.
Paul, aka Fred, is renowned for his low key, sardonic sense of humour, sarcastic wit, deadpan delivery and his vivid green eyes.
8. Chris Evans: $43.5 million
Christopher Robert Evans popularly called as Cevans was born on June 13, 1981, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, to half German, half English father and half Italian and Half Irish mother. He has three siblings, an elder sister, a younger brother who is also pursuing a career in acting and a younger sister. His craze for cinema began right in childhood when he started taking part in school plays. Later he attained a lot of appreciation for his extraordinary talents when he played Leontes in the Winter's Tale play in his high school. Eventually, after proving his metal through these school and regional plays, he got admission in the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, New York. During his internship at a casting office, he got in touch with a couple of agents and landed up in the field if cinematic. He made his debut in The Fugitive. He then appeared in a bunch of minor roles in - Cherry Falls, The Newcomers and Boston Public. He finally made his way as the lead actor in the movie- Not Another Teen Movie. Some of his notable roles were in – The Perfect Score, Cellular, Fantastic Four, The Nanny Diaries, Street Kings and The loss of a Teardrop Diamond. Even though his films were not so successful initially, despite that, he gained a huge amount of recognition by critics for his energetic and vibrant performance. Nevertheless, he has been ranked among the top actors with a hot body by multiple magazine and internet countdowns (such as Gay.com, 101 Sexiest Celebrity Bodies, etc.).
7. Adam Sandler: $57 million
Adam Richard Sandler, commonly known as Sandman, was born on September 9, 1996, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents are Russian descendants, and he married Jackie Sandler in 2003, with whom he has two kids. He used to perform as a stand-up comedian in the Boston Comedy Clubs and was a natural comic. During his graduation years at New York University, he started performing regularly. Ultimately, while watching his act at a comedy club in L.A., Dennis Miller found him, who asked the producers of Saturday Night Live to cast him. Moving ahead in the line of comedy, Adam was starred in plenty of humorous films- Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, Just Go With It, 50 First Dates, Grown Ups, Big Daddy, Punch Drunk Love and Mr Deeds. Moreover, he wrote The Chanukah Song, which was even placed on the Billboard. He is a keen songwriter and producer. Presently, he runs his own production house.
He is known for the bad-tempered characters he plays, who's names frequently end with' y', and he makes sure that he wears sports apparel of the famous team in the locale where his movie is set.
6. Bradley Cooper: $57 million
Bradley Charles Cooper, aka Coop, was born on January 5, 1975, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA to Italian mother and an Irish father. Bradley went to Georgetown University and got graduated in English Honors Program. Let's he went to Actors Studio Drama School at the New School University, New York. He first appeared on the television in the show Sex and the City and a couple of years later on the drama series The best. He used to work with LEAP, an NGO ( Learning Through the Expanding Arts Program), where he used to teach acting to school children on the weekends.
He got an opportunity to host Treks in Wild World for the Discovery Channel, during this time, he travelled across the globe. Cooper is famous for his work in some amazing movies such as- Wet Hot American Summer, Bending All The Rules, Changing Lanes, My Little Eye, Alias, He's Just Not That Into You, The Haangover, Valentine's Day and The A-Team. He has also worked in a few tv series like The Street. Besides, he has voiced Rocket Raccoon for the Guardian of the Galaxy.
Bradley obtained Oscar nomination for the American Hustle and American Snipper as well as Academy Award nomination for Silver Linings Playbook.
He tied a knot with Jennifer Esposito in 2006 but unfortunately got divorced a year later. He also has a daughter with Irina Shayk. Cooper has often claimed that he loves working with his idols – Robert De Niro, David I. Russel and Jennifer Lawrence.. He is distinguished by his intense blue eyes and ingenious, charming characters he portrays.
5. Jackie Chan: $58 million
Kong – sang Chan, popularly known as Jackie Chan, was born on April 7, 1954 in Victoria Peak, Hong Kong. Kung Fu Master is one of the most hard-working film celebrity who performs in Hong Kong's material arts cinema. During his childhood, his family migrated to Australia but looking at his keen interest in the cinema; his dad sent him to China Drama Academy, back in Hong Kong. Looking at his excellent performance in singing, martial arts and acrobatics, he became a part of the Sven Little Fortunes. He started his career with minor roles in Bruce Lee: Fist of Fury and Enter The Dragon.
Then, he came is some low budget Hong Kong films like- Sholin Wooden Men, To Kill With Intrigue, Half as Loaf of Kung Fu, till he finally made a big crack with the blockbuster film Drunken Master. Within a yeast or two, he started working as a director. Since then, he has worked in over fifty movies, directing and executing his stunts. To name a few of them- Battle Creek Brawl, Hal Needham, Winners and Sinners, Kuai can ache, My Lucky Stars, The Protector, Police Story, Armour of God, and so on. Through all these years, he became popular in the United States and worked on innumerable projects in there.
Apart from his exceptional services in the film industry, he has been a philanthropist, delivering support for the construction and functioning of the education system. He stands as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, campaigning for animal rights, pollution and victims of natural disasters throughout the world. He married Feng Jiao Lin in 1982 and has a child with her. He is regarded for the clever use of props in fighting scenes that add a realistic aspect to them, and his adorable habit of giving a thumbs up.
4. Akshay Kumar: $ 65 million
He was born on September 9, 1967, in Amritsar Punjab, India, Rajiv Hari Om-Bhatia who is popularly called as Akshay Kumar is a great Indian Actor. Akki was originally a cook who decided to change the path and enter the field of modelling. He went to Hong Kong to learn Martial Arts and evolve into the world-famous star. Even though a couple of his initial movies were not successful, he did not give up on his dream. He was first launched in Saugandh, but his first major breakthrough occurred was Khiladi. It was an adaptation from Mr Bond. Subsequently, he has given many critically applauded performance in – Airlift, Ajnabee, Rustom, Baby, Jaaneman and many others. He is famous for his unique sense of humour, especially in movies like Phir Hera Pheri, Houseful, Welcome, Namastey London, etc. Akki is renowned for his heavy voice, the way he directs his own stunts, punctuality and ability to live a balanced life. He married Twinkle Khana in 2001, and they together have two children.
3. Robert Downey Jr.: $66 million
Robert John Downey Jr. was born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York, the USA to Robert Downey Sr. who was writer, director and filmographer and Elsie Downey, who was an actress. He and his sister, Allyson Downey, were into cinematic since childhood and he even left his high school to accomplish this talent and interest further. Due to his dad's addiction problems, he was also exposed to drugs at a young age and struggled to come out of this mess.
Interestingly, he made his debut at the tender age of five in a film directed and written by his father- Pound. He maintained his talent through a series of films over the decades. He has won the BAFTA for the Best Actor and Academy Award nomination for his lead role in Chaplin. Some of his celebrated performances were in – The Gingerbread Man, One Night Stand, Hugo Pool, In Dreams and Wonder Boys.
He made his debut on television by Fox TV series – Ally McBeal, and his debut 8n music by the album titled The Futurist. Ultimately, he gave his unforgettable performance of Iron Man throughout the series of Marvel Comics. He has grabbed two Academy Award nominations, won three Golden Globe Awards, and a tremendous amount of praise for his work. He prevails as one the most influential people in the world and is constantly acclaimed for his role of Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Sherlock Holmes. He has a sarcastic sense of humour and is known for the delivery of jokes over a poker face, besides the intelligent and eccentric nature of his characters.
2. Chris Hemsworth : $76.4 million
Chris Hemsworth was born on August 11, 1983, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to a simple couple of Dutch, Irish, English, Scottish and German descent. His mother was an English teacher and father was a counsellor. Kip has two brothers who are also actors. During his early years, his family travelled an amount. He made his debut in an Australian soap opera – Home and Away. Then he participated in Dancing with the Stars of Australia, and he was the fifth contestant to be terminated. He stepped into Hollywood with his blazing performance in Star Trek in 2009. Consequently, he played the iconic role of Thor for the Marvel Comics that gained worldwide appreciation. He married Elsa Pataky in December 2010 and the two have a daughter and twin sons. Chris is distinguished by his light blue eyes with a deep vibrant voice and great athletic body.
1. Dwayne Johnson:$89.4 million
Dwayne Douglas Johnson was born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California. His father, Rocky Johnson, was a professional wrestler. During his high school, Johnson development a keen interest in football. Unfortunately, he suffered from a back injury due to which he could not get selected in NFL. But, he didn't give up and instead started working on becoming a wrestler. He started the game under the name of Flex Kanavah and soon join WWE. He gained a huge amount of success, but in 2000 he went on a hiatus and turned to movies, where he made his debut in The Mummy Returns. He is world-famous for his roles in - Fast and Furious series, Jumanji, Central Intelligence and many more.
Conclusion
Here were some cool things about some of the best actors in world. All these people have an amazing inspiring life and have truly put in a tremendous amount of hard work to reach up to this point.
Co-author: Paridhi Singhal
Paridhi is a budding doctor. Apart from studying medicine, she is a keen writer who believes in the thought that pen is mightier than the sword.
