1. Tom cruise
1. With the release of Top Gun: Maverick in theaters worldwide in 2022, Tom Cruise has once again proved he’s the undisputable king of Hollywood. It became the highest-grossing film of 2022 thanks to the charisma and talent Cruise brought to the role of Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. It’s justified then that Cruise was paid a whopping $100 million for the film, earning him the status of the highest-paid actor.
His reputation as an action star has been solidified by roles in films like Top Gun (1986) and the Mission Impossible series (1996–2016). But very few people remember some of his serious roles as an actor with depth and substance in films like Rain Man (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and Magnolia (1999).
2. Will Smith
Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Chris Hemsworth all made millions in 2022 from film gigs, but who made the most? Photos: AFP; @leonardodicaprio, @chrishemsworth/Instagram; Getty Images
Everyone knows that Hollywood movie stars make some of the world’s biggest pay cheques. But not all actors show the same standard of talent and some can make much more than others when factoring in pulling power.
This year has been a lucrative one for showbiz veterans like Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt with new films, while Joaquin Phoenix’s critically-acclaimed role in The Joker (2019) has given him a financial booster for the film’s upcoming sequel.
So, as we near year-end, which actor got paid the biggest bucks in 2022, based on Variety’s estimations?
3. Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio’s journey as an actor, from a television commercial to blockbuster films, exemplifies how conviction and grit can pay off. From Arnold Grape in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) to Dr. Randall Mindy in Don’t Look Up (2021), he gets into the skin of any character with ease.
He won his first and long-due Academy Award for Best Actor for The Revenant (2015). Leonardo DiCaprio teams up with Martin Scorsese in the upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon. The actor has been paid $30 million.
4. Brad Pitt
William Bradley Pitt is among the top actors in Hollywood and has been often regarded as one of the most powerful and influential people in the American entertainment industry. For an upcoming role in an unnamed movie based on Formula 1, he has been offered fees of a whopping $30 million making him one of the highest-paid actors of the year.
5. Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Douglas Johnson started his career as a wrestler known commonly by his ring name The Rock. After some time he joins in the movies as the highest grosser and he is among the highest-paid actors in the world. Rock was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for getting the highest salary of $ 5.5 million for his role in the movie The Scorpion King. He has recently played the role of Black Adam and undoubtedly deserves his fifth spot in our highest-paid actors’ list.
6. Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds
Will Ferrell has consistently opted for comedy roles in films since his debut as an uncredited cameo of a Newscaster in Criminal Hearts (1996)? He’s among the few American comedy actors who’ve done good business at the box office since the mid-1990s. They are known as Frat Pack.
Ryan Reynolds, on the other hand, began his career working in teen comedies. His claim to fame is his titular role in the Deadpool Franchise. His performance in Deadpool (2016) earned him a Golden Globe Awards nomination.
Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds be paired together in the upcoming movie Spirited? The duo has been paid $20 million each
7. Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth worked in television for a good length of his career to hone his skill as an actor. His first appearance was in the opening scenes of Star Trek (2009). He played the role of George Kirk in a special appearance. Hemsworth gained popularity in 2011 as he became a member of the MCU. Later in his career, he would receive unprecedented success by playing Thor.
8. Carlos Sainz
According to Forbes, the 28-year-old son of double World Rally champion Carlos Sainz Sr. will be making a combined US$15 million in salary and bonuses this year, with reports stating that Sainz has inked his partnership with Ferrari until 2024.
9. Tom Hardy
From Tom Cruise to Dwayne Johnson, these are the highest paid actors in 2022.
Mainstream Hollywood is a vast and influential production of popular films. It includes thousands of movies, with an output of several hundred a year, millions of die-hard fans, and significant global recognition. Some of these films at times provide insight into topics of political and social significance. However, one cannot deny that, more often, these films are not realistic representations of American society or expressions of conservative ideology. Hollywood, like any film industry, has made some spectacularly good films, some terrible ones, and many that lie somewhere in between. It’s often mocked for its over-the-top, unrealistic, and melodramatic formulaic tropes.
Most of these commercially successful films are a celebration of stardom. As a result, these actors enjoy significant attention globally. They also leave a legacy in every film, with viewers watching each movie for its plot and for spotting their favorite performers’ recognizably familiar characteristics. Very quickly, then, here is the list of the highest-paid actors at the box office, according to Insider, from Tom Cruise to Joaquin Phoenix:
10. Joaquin Phoenix
Like his contemporaries, Joaquin Phoenix too began his career in television. He made his debut as Frankie in the TV film Kids Don’t Tell (1985). His screen name was Leaf Phoenix then. However, it was his role as the dictator Commodus in Gladiator (2000) that made him a known face globally. Since then, he has had the chance to work with niche directors like PT Anderson, Lyne Ramsay, and Spike Jonze, among others.
In 2020, he won the Oscar for Best Actor for playing Arthur Fleck in Joker (2019). The film created history by becoming the first R-rated film to gross over $1 billion at the box office. For the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, Phoenix will be paid $20 million.
