After four years, Dwayne Johnson has returned to the top of Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid actors, surpassing Hollywood heavyweights like Ryan Reynolds and Jerry Seinfeld. The Red One and Moana 2 star raked in an astounding $88 million last year, thanks to major film deals and royalties from his past projects. According to an industry agent cited in the report, Johnson’s earnings were described as “an ungodly amount of money.”
Key Takeaways from the Forbes Report
The list also highlights a surprising trend—many top-earning actors made the bulk of their wealth outside traditional movie roles. With six out of the ten highest-grossing films of 2024 being animated, live-action stars had fewer opportunities to cash in on box office hits.
Among the top 20, only three female actors secured a spot: Nicole Kidman (Babygirl, A Family Affair), Mariska Hargitay, and Scarlett Johansson, who, at 40, is the youngest on the list. Despite a blockbuster year, Timothée Chalamet missed out, as his deals for Wonka and Dune: Part Two were finalized long before their 2024 success.
Streaming platforms also played a massive role in Hollywood’s financial landscape. Brad Pitt and George Clooney, for example, each earned a staggering $35 million for their film Wolfs. With no option to claim a stake in streaming productions, actors are now being paid hefty upfront fees.
The Top 10 Highest-Paid Actors of 2024
| Rank | Actor | Earnings in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dwayne Johnson | $88 million |
| 2 | Ryan Reynolds | $85 million |
| 3 | Kevin Hart | $81 million |
| 4 | Jerry Seinfeld | $60 million |
| 5 | Hugh Jackman | $50 million |
| 6 | Brad Pitt | $32 million |
| 7 | George Clooney | $32 million |
| 8 | Nicole Kidman | $31 million |
| 9 | Adam Sandler | $26 million |
| 10 | Will Smith | $26 million |
What’s Next for The Rock?
Johnson is set to star in an upcoming Martin Scorsese film alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt. He is also preparing for his much-anticipated role in The Smashing Machine, an A24 biographical drama directed by Benny Safdie. The film will see Johnson portraying Mark Kerr, a former UFC fighter known for his dominance in mixed martial arts during the late 1990s.
With his ever-growing list of high-profile projects, it looks like The Rock won’t be leaving the top of the earnings chart anytime soon.
