No one would say that the life of an actor is an easy one. Long hours, memorizing lines, and paparazzi following your every move must make everyday living tough. However, some actors are paid well for their work…very well! Here we reveal the ten highest paid actors in the world — and some may surprise you. As even if you don’t have as much acting talent as others in your field, as long as you can rake in millions at the box office you’re on to a winner.
10 Mark Wahlberg ($32million in past year)
At 43, Wahlberg is a Hollywood moneymaker. From his super-stardom as a teen music idol with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, to his problems with the law and delinquency, Wahlberg has always been in the spotlight. But today the spotlight is on him and his diverse acting abilities. From raunchy comedies such as Ted to psychological drama/thrillers like The Lovely Bones, Wahlberg continually shows a range of acting abilities — and is a big draw at the box office. His 2013 drama Lone Survivor, a film about a SEAL team’s efforts to kill a Taliban leader, made $150million in ticket sales globally. In addition to his success in current films, he is also a producer and TV personality. And he’s still churning them out as an actor. Watch our for Ted 2 and Mojave at a screen near you soon.
9 Will Smith ($32million in past year)
Smith is always a fan favorite at the box office. His wit, charm, and good looks make him one of the most popular, and well-paid, Hollywood actors. For 2014, he is tied with Mark Wahlberg on earnings of $32million. Will Smith is another actor that is able to personify diverse types of characters masterfully. From his comedic delivery in the Men in Black series to the prophetic portrayal of a lone survivor in the sci-fi thriller I Am Legend, producers know that Smith can deliver and bring in the fans. His movie Focus is planned for release in early 2015.
8 Christian Bale ($35million in past year)
Although Bale is known best for his stellar roles in the Batman series, he has otherwise managed to fly fairly low under the Hollywood radar. His private life and interests are mostly unknown. Fame and fortune came to Bale through wise film choices and a dedicated following of fans. His most recent box office hit, American Hustle, received huge critical acclaim. His latest effort sees him tackle something at the complete other end of the spectrum — the biblical role of Moses in Exodus: Gods and Kings, which is scheduled for release in December 2014.
7 Ben Affleck ($35million in past year)
It’s interesting to see that Ben Affleck, who will play the new Batman, tied his predecessor in the role, Christian Bale, in the rankings of top Hollywood money-makers. His casting as the caped-crusader has divided opinion, but handsome and well-spoken, Affleck never fails to be a box-office draw. His most recent film, the on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery thriller Gone Girl, hit theaters in October 2014 and is predicted to be another award winner. And he’s set to earn a lot more cash in the coming years, with a standalone Batman film rumoured to be in the pipeline for 2019 following his role as the Dark Knight in Batman v Superman in 2015.
6 Liam Neeson ($36 million in past year)
At 62, Liam Neeson is one of the oldest Hollywood stars to make the top 10 highly paid actors’ list. In addition to his acting success, Neeson has also lent his distinctive voice to voiceovers for Family Guy, The Lego Movie, and even video games. His Taken series of thriller movies continue to draw in the crowds. The last one, Taken 2, was released in 2012 and the next, Taken 3, is scheduled for release in early 2015. With his amazing range of talents, Neeson will likely always rank high on the list of best paid actors as long as he continues to work.
5 Chris Hemsworth ($37 million in past year)
Handsome Australian actor Chris Hemsworth attracts moviegoers like bees to flowers. His rugged good looks and piercing blue eyes make him the perfect actor for superhero and fantasy roles. His most recent major role in Thor: The Dark World in 2013, followed his first portrayal of that role in Thor in 2011. An additional movie in this series is scheduled for release in 2017 — meaning he’s in line for another big paycheck. Watch out for Hemsworth in his next drama film, Blackhat, which is set to be released in early 2015.
4 Leonardo DiCaprio ($39 million in past year)
Leonardo DiCaprio has an interesting history of acting. He first became popular in the television sitcom, Growing Pains, following small roles in television shows such as Roseanne and Parenthood. But, soon his talents became evident to Hollywood and the world as his roles progressively became more complex and challenging. One of his first major roles, in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, highlighted his amazing range of acting abilities with him playing a young special needs boy opposite Johnny Depp. Shortly after that he was cast in the blockbuster Titanic. DiCaprio now regularly earns huge sums for his movies, including for his most recent films, the award-winning The Wolf of Wall Street and “The Great Gatsby. Both were box office hits that assured him a place on the list of the top 10 most highly paid actors.
3 Bradley Cooper ($46million in past year)
While most people recognize Cooper from his role as Phil in the wildly successful The Hangover comedy movie series, Cooper has made smart moves in his career. These moves have diversified his roles and earned him a substantial amount of money along the way. His accomplishments range from TV shows such as Sex and the City to voiceovers for movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy. In January 2015, an autobiographical film, American Sniper, will be released starring Cooper. The dramatic film is about a Navy SEAL recounting his career and the kills he made.
2 Dwayne Johnson/The Rock ($52 million in past year)
Dwayne Johnson, commonly known as The Rock, began his career as a pro wrestler. But, has since become one of the biggest actors in the world after starring in a huge range of films, from comedies such as Tooth Fairy, to thrillers such as Fast and Furious. When Hollywood is looking for an incredibly strong but relatable male lead, they look to Johnson. He has looks, charisma, and a wonderful sense of humor. In other words, he’s the complete package. Johnson has movies Furious 7 and San Andreas coming out in 2015. No doubt he will maintain his status on the top 10 list of highest paid Hollywood actors for years to come.
1 Robert Downey, Jr. ($75million in past year)
The highest paid Hollywood actor is Robert Downey, Jr. Another of the seasoned A-listers, he has been acting for 40+ years. Over that time he has had his shares of ups and downs including a battle with drug addiction that began in the late 90s. This followed his role in the 1987 movie Less Than Zero, where he played a troubled drug addict in Beverly Hills. Downey fought hard to overcome his addiction and was later cast as the lead role in the Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes movie series. The icing on Downey’s financial cake was from his recent film, Iron Man 3. It was reported to be the highest-grossing movie of 2013 and the fifth highest of all time with an amazing $1.2billion of revenue. Watch out for his upcoming roles over the next few years in the Avengers 2 & 3 and Captain America 3.