Los Angeles, California – Adam Sandler emerged as the top-earning actor of the year in 2023, surpassing his peers by $14 million. His diverse portfolio of successful projects highlighted the financial benefits of having multiple streams of income. Joining him at the peak of success was the film “Barbie,” which dominated the box office, bringing wealth to its lead actors as well.
Sandler’s impressive $73 million income was driven by his lucrative partnership with Netflix, solidified in a $250 million contract in 2014 and renewed in 2020. Notable movies like “Murder Mystery 2,” “You’re So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah,” and “Leo” contributed significantly to his success. According to Forbes, Sandler’s content on Netflix garnered over 500 million hours of viewership in 2023.
Margot Robbie claimed the second spot on the list, earning $59 million for her role as the star and producer of the highly successful film, “Barbie.” The Australian actress broke records for Warner Bros. with the movie’s impressive box office earnings of nearly $1.5 billion.
Tom Cruise secured the third position with earnings of $45 million, largely attributed to the success of his movie franchise, “Mission: Impossible.” Cruise’s continued success also stemmed from “Top Gun: Maverick,” which capitalized on on-demand profits in 2023.
Ryan Gosling and Matt Damon tied for fourth place, each earning $43 million. Gosling’s success was propelled by his involvement in the hit film “Barbie,” while Damon’s income primarily came from his partnership with Amazon and the sale of the movie rights for “Air” with Ben Affleck.
Jennifer Aniston followed closely behind at sixth place, making $42 million in 2023. The “Friends” star’s enduring residuals were complemented by her role in “The Morning Show” and lucrative partnerships with various brands.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jason Statham shared the seventh spot, with DiCaprio’s success stemming from his critically acclaimed film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and Statham’s lucrative film roles in high-grossing movies like “Fast X” and “Meg 2: The Trench.”
Ben Affleck ranked ninth with earnings of $38 million, largely attributed to his involvement in the film “Air.” Denzel Washington rounded out the top 10 list as the oldest actor, aged 69, with earnings of $24 million from his role in “The Equalizer 3.”
Overall, the top earners in Hollywood for 2023 showcased the diverse avenues through which actors can amass wealth and solidify their positions in the industry.