Source: Film Magic
Adam Sandler has been named the highest-paid actor in Hollywood for 2023 according to the American business magazine, Forbes. The “Uncut Gems” star reportedly earned $73 million in 2023, primarily thanks to his Netflix releases, with second-placed Margot Robbie earning $59 million. This was the first time since 2002 that Sandler has been declared the highest-paid actor by Forbes.
In addition to voicing the title role in the animated “Leo”, he appeared in the comedy sequel “Murder Mystery 2” and the family movie “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” for Netflix last year. He is now starring in the sci-fi drama “Spaceman” and producing the crime comedy “The Out-Laws.”
Forbes reported that Margot Robbie made $59 million last year, placing her second on the list of highest-paid actors. This was mainly because of her starring role in the successful motion picture “Barbie”, in addition to her roles in the films “Asteroid City” by Wes Anderson and co-producing Emerald Fennell’s directorial “Saltburn.” She was also the youngest actor in the top 10 list aged 33.
Tom Cruise ranked third on the list, earning $45 million from his efforts on the action sequel “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” and streaming sales of “Top Gun: Maverick” from the previous year.
Matt Damon and Canadian actor Ryan Gosling, who co-starred with Robbie in “Barbie” Playing Ken, came in fourth on the list with a combined income of $43 million. One of just two women in the top 10, Jennifer Aniston, star of “Friends” and Sandler's co-star in the “Murder Mystery” movie, came in sixth with $42 million.
Leonardo DiCaprio, who appeared in Martin Scorsese's epic “Killers of the Flower Moon”, earned $41 million, which tied him for seventh place with Jason Statham, the sole English actor to make the cut. The 56-year-old acted in Guy Ritchie's “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre”, “Expend4bles”, “Meg 2: The Trench”, and “Fast X” in 2023.
Additionally, Ben Affleck, 51, the CEO of Artists Equity, an artist-led business he co-founded with his close friend Matt Damon, made $38 million, placing him ninth on the list. Last year saw the release of his film “Air”, which he directed and starred in alongside Damon.
The final spot in the top 10 was secured by Denzel Washington, who starred in the third installment of the “Equalizer” franchise. He earned $24 million and is the oldest actor on the list.
The Forbes list is calculated by conducting several interviews with agents and business specialists and by using resources like IMdB Pro and Polestar. According to the business publication, the data only include profits from entertainment and reflect taxed earnings for the calendar year 2023.