In 2023, the entertainment industry witnessed some of the biggest names in acting pocketing substantial earnings, but the actor topping the list of highest-paid stunned many. Hollywood may be known for its hefty paychecks, but the disparity in earnings is notable.
Securing a role in a movie is an achievement, but playing a pivotal role in a blockbuster that rakes in billions propels that success to a whole new level. However, merely making a couple of million won’t land an actor on the top ten highest-paid list of 2023.
At the bottom of this prestigious list is Denzel Washington, who earned $28 million. This just goes to show the varying levels of financial success even among top actors.
Here’s a rundown of the estimated earnings of the top earners:
10. Denzel Case – $28 million
9. Ben Affleck – $38 million
8. Jason Statham – $41 million
7. Leonardo DiCaprio – $41 million
6. Jennifer Aniston – $42 million
5. Matt Damon – $43 million
4. Ryan Gosling – $43 million
3. Tom Cruise – $45 million
2. Margot Robbie – $59 million
Earlier this year in March, on “The Rest is Entertainment” podcast, hosts Richard Osman and Marina Hyde expressed their astonishment at the list’s top spot.
Osman noted, “Margot Robbie is second on the list, earning from her acting and producing roles in Barbie. However, what’s truly interesting is the top earner, particularly because he didn’t feature in a theatrical release last year. Adam Sandler, surprisingly, made around $100 million.”
Adam Sandler’s top position is primarily attributed to his lucrative ongoing deal with Netflix.
Hyde elaborated: “His massive Netflix deal has been a game changer. Adam Sandler movies, which were once a cinema staple, are now thriving on Netflix as the platform recognized his appeal among home viewers, particularly parents.”
This revelation sparked humorous reactions online, with a Reddit thread poking fun at Sandler’s lucrative earnings.
One user joked, “If someone had told me in 1995 that Adam Sandler would one day out-earn Tom Cruise, I would have laughed in their face.”
Another commented, “Adam Sandler has it made with Netflix. Just show up, be himself, and boom—highest-paid actor of 2023.”
A third user quipped, “Shoutout to Adam for turning his movies into paid vacations for his friends.”