Film actor Adam Sandler has been named Hollywood’s highest-paid performer in 2023, according to Forbes magazine. Sandler’s earnings of $73 million were driven by his involvement in four film projects and a comedy tour. His salary surpassed other notable actors such as Tom Cruise and Jennifer Aniston.
Sandler’s successful year was mainly attributed to his work on Netflix’s “Murder Mystery 2,” which he starred in and produced. Additionally, his writing, producing, and voice work on Leo, an animated film on the streaming platform, contributed to his substantial income. The actor also appeared in the little-known action comedy “The Out-Laws” and produced and starred in the acclaimed comedy “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” alongside his wife and daughters.
This marks Sandler’s return to the top of the list after his last achievement in 2002. His previous success was fueled by his appearances in popular films like “Mr Deeds” and “Punch-Drunk Love,” which garnered him $47 million.
Coming in second place on the Forbes list is Margot Robbie, who earned an estimated $59 million in 2023. Robbie’s involvement as a co-producer in the highly successful film “Barbie” contributed significantly to her earnings. At the age of 33, she is also the youngest actor on the top 10 list.
Despite the underperformance of the latest “Mission: Impossible” movie, Tom Cruise secured the third spot with earnings of $45 million. The profits from the film, combined with streaming residuals from “Top Gun: Maverick,” contributed to Cruise’s placement on the list.
Ryan Gosling, Robbie’s co-star in “Barbie,” and Matt Damon, starring in “Oppenheimer,” shared the fourth position with earnings of $43 million each. Ben Affleck, who collaborated with Damon on the Nike sports film “Air,” took the ninth spot with $38 million.
Jennifer Aniston, one of two women in the top 10, ranked sixth with earnings of $42 million. Despite only starring in two films in the past five years, her income was complemented by residuals from the beloved show “Friends.” Leonardo DiCaprio and Jason Statham tied for seventh place with earnings of $41 million, with Statham being the only English actor on the list. Denzel Washington rounded off the top 10, earning $24 million and appearing in the third “Equalizer” film.
Forbes calculates its estimates through interviews with agents and industry experts, as well as analyzing data from sources such as IMDbPro. The figures represent taxed earnings specifically related to the entertainment industry in the calendar year 2023.
The annual Forbes list serves as a benchmark for tracking the financial success of actors in Hollywood. It highlights the significant earning potential in the film industry, showcasing the impact of successful projects and ventures