In 2022, Hollywood’s highest paid actress was Margot Robbie. Curious who else is one of the highest paid actresses? Our list celebrates 20 of the highest-paid actresses in the world with each actress showcasing their talent, versatility, and dedication to their craft. These formidable women have made their mark on the entertainment industry through iconic roles in blockbuster movies, critically acclaimed television series, and behind-the-scenes endeavors that champion diversity and empower future generations.
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20. Gal Gadot – $5 million
Gal Gadot has seen much higher earnings in the past for roles like Wonder Woman, but in 2023, she is estimated to earn $5 million. Still, no small feat, her $5 million salary has placed her at number 20 among the highest paid actresses.
Outside of her Wonder Woman fame, Gadot has also expanded her acting portfolio with roles in films such as the action-comedy Red Notice alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. Her ability to excel in various genres has made her one of the most versatile and sought-after actresses in Hollywood.
19. Emma Stone – $7 million
After her role in blockbuster movies like La La Land, Emma Stone continues to rise in fame. In 2023, she is expected to earn more than $7 million largely thanks to her work on a new film, Poor Things. As an actress, she is known for her versatility and ability to captivate audiences with her unique blend of humor and emotion.
Stone’s career has seen her take on a wide variety of roles, from her breakthrough performance in Superbad to her Oscar-winning turn in La La Land. Her ability to transition seamlessly between genres and deliver captivating performances has made her one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Stone’s talent and charm have captured audiences worldwide commanding such a large salary.
18. Cate Blanchett – $8 million
Cate Blanchett is estimated to earn $8 million in 2023 thanks to her new movie The New Boy and appearances in other programs like Frontline and The Fundraiser. Her previous and most memorable roles include films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Blue Jasmine, and Carol. These projects showcase Blanchett’s incredible range and ability to fully immerse herself into a character. Her career consistently delivers powerful and captivating performances has made her one of the most respected actresses in Hollywood.
Who were the highest paid actresses between 1920 and 2000?
| Decade | Actress | Earnings | Top Movies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920- 1930 | Mary Pickford | $1 million/year | Co-founder of United Artists film studio; numerous silent films |
| 1940-1950 | Ingrid Bergman | N/A | “Casablanca” (1942), “Gaslight” (1944), “Notorious” (1946), “Anastasia” (1956) |
| 1950-1960 | Elizabeth Taylor | N/A | “Giant” (1956), “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958), “Suddenly, Last Summer” (1959), “Cleopatra” (1963) |
| 1960-1970 | Julie Andrews | N/A | “Mary Poppins” (1964), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (1967), “Victor/Victoria” (1982) |
| 1970-1980 | Jane Fonda | N/A | “Klute” (1971), “Coming Home” (1978), “The China Syndrome” (1979), “Nine to Five” (1980) |
| 1980-1990 | Julia Roberts | $20 million | “Mystic Pizza” (1988), “Steel Magnolias” (1989), “Pretty Woman” (1990), “Erin Brockovich” (2000) |
| 1990-2000 | Julia Roberts | $25 million | “Sleeping with the Enemy” (1991), “The Pelican Brief” (1993), “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997), “Notting Hill” (1999) |
17. Viola Davis – $10 million
Viola Davis‘ earnings of $10 million in 2023 come as a result of starring in two hit movies: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Air. Before this year, her fame can be attributed to her well-known role as Annalise Keating in the hit television series How to Get Away with Murder.
Davis’ career has been marked by a commitment to telling diverse and important stories, with her roles in films such as The Help earning her widespread acclaim. As the first Black actress to win the Triple Crown of Acting (an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony), Davis has broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of performers.
16. Sofia Vergara – $10 million
Sofia Vergara‘s earnings of $10 million this year have solidified her position as one of the top-paid actresses in Hollywood. This is also nothing compared to her previous years in the industry where she earned tens of millions each year. Arguably her most famous role was the vivacious and spirited Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the hit television series Modern Family. She gained multiple award nominations and a loyal fan base. Not to mention, she earned at least $500,000 per episode.
Beyond her acting career, Vergara has found success in her business ventures. She is the co-founder of the successful subscription box service, “La Vida Glam,” and had a lucrative endorsement deal with the popular cosmetics brand, CoverGirl.
15. Mila Kunis – $10 million
Mila Kunis earns around $10 million per year thanks to her more recent appearances in Family Guy and That 90’s Show among other acting jobs. Her career has been expansive since she started from such a young age. From her breakthrough role on That ’70s Show to her critically acclaimed performance in Black Swan, Kunis established herself in Hollywood and now makes a chunk of money for every role. She has an incredible range and a remarkable ability to captivate audiences with her unique blend of humor and emotion.
14. Emily Blunt – $12 million
Emily Blunt has had an incredible year in her acting career. In 2023, she starred in Oppenheimer and Pain Hustlers, which were both highly anticipated movies. ForOppenheimer, she earned $4 million, and for Pain Hustlers, she brought home around $7 million (this makes sense based on the $50 million Netflix deal that came out of the project). In past years she has earned even more for roles in the A Quiet Place franchise among other blockbusters. Clearly, Blunt is a force to be reckoned with in the industry and she can play a diverse set of roles.
13. Elizabeth Moss – $16 million
Elizabeth Moss earned about $16 million last year and is expected to earn a similar amount in 2023 as she films several up-and-coming projects. Her fame has to do in large part with playing June Osborne in the critically acclaimed television series The Handmaid’s Tale, which should be returning in 2024 for a sixth season. Believe it or not, Moss earns $1 million per episode for The Handmaid’s Tale.
In addition to her work on The Handmaid’s Tale, Moss starred in the psychological horror film Shirley and the hit TV show Mad Men, which further showcased her acting range and solidified her status as a top-tier actress.
Who was the highest paid actress between 2000 and 2021?
| Year | Actress | Earnings (in millions of US dollars) | Movie(s) / TV Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Julia Roberts | 20 | Erin Brockovich |
| 2001 | Julia Roberts | 25 | America’s Sweethearts |
| 2002 | Cameron Diaz | 42 | The Sweetest Thing, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle |
| 2003 | Julia Roberts | 25 | Mona Lisa Smile |
| 2004 | Julia Roberts | 25 | Closer |
| 2005 | Nicole Kidman | 28 | Bewitched, The Interpreter |
| 2006 | Nicole Kidman | 30 | The Invasion |
| 2007 | Cameron Diaz | 50 | Shrek the Third, The Holiday |
| 2008 | Angelina Jolie | 27 | Wanted, Changeling |
| 2009 | Sandra Bullock | 56 | The Proposal, The Blind Side |
| 2010 | Angelina Jolie | 30 | Salt |
| 2011 | Kristen Stewart | 34.5 | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 |
| 2012 | Kristen Stewart | 34.5 | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 |
| 2013 | Angelina Jolie | 33 | Maleficent |
| 2014 | Jennifer Lawrence | 34 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, X-Men: Days of Future Past |
| 2015 | Jennifer Lawrence | 52 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, Joy |
| 2016 | Jennifer Lawrence | 46 | Passengers, X-Men: Apocalypse |
| 2017 | Emma Stone | 26 | La La Land |
| 2018 | Scarlett Johansson | 40.5 | Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame |
| 2019 | Scarlett Johansson | 56 | Avengers: Endgame, Marriage Story |
| 2020 | Sofia Vergara | 43 | Modern Family, endorsement deals |
| 2021 | Scarlett Johansson | 40.5 | Black Widow, settlement with Disney |
12. Charlize Theron – $18 million
Charlize Theron is a South African actress known for her past work The Devil’s Advocate, Monster, and Bombshell. This past year, she earned $18 million for her work in Fast X and other projects like Murder Mystery 2. In fact, her Fast X work has proven to be very profitable as it will lead to a new film, Two For The Money, through Apple starring Theron alongside Daniel Craig. She is a desired actress in the industry who commands a large salary for her work. After all, she has won more than 30 major acting awards.
11. Ellen Pompeo – $20 million
Ellen Pompeo‘s estimated earnings of $20 million in 2023 are largely due to her fame as Dr. Meredith Grey on the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Pompeo has portrayed the iconic character since 2005, and her performance has earned her multiple award nominations and a loyal fan base. The show’s continued success has made Pompeo one of the highest-paid actresses on television.
10. Scarlett Johansson – $20 million
Scarlett Johansson is expected to bring home an impressive $20 million this year. She has been busy working on movies like Asteroid City and North Star. This is a smaller income for Johansson as opposed to previous years when she was bringing in nearly double for her Black Widow role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
She tends to ask for $15 to $20 million for her roles, but it was reported that she took around $33,000 for Asteroid City because the movie’s budget was much lower than that of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is interesting because clearly, 2023 was about finding projects she is passionate about regardless of the salary.
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9. Meryl Streep – $24 million
Meryl Streep usually earns about $24 million per year, which makes sense given her impressive resume as an actress and 21 Academy Award nominations. With a career spanning over four decades, Streep’s talent and commitment to her craft are undeniable. After roles in movies such as The Iron Lady, Sophie’s Choice, and Manhattan, she is now working on the recent hit Only Murders in the Building.
Streep has been more selective about her roles in recent years, but jumped at the opportunity to be on the mystery-comedy series that everyone is talking about. As a true icon, she earns somewhere around $800,000 per episode. Her net worth may be much higher than other actresses on this list, but based on her work this year, she’s landing number nine on our list.
Who was the highest paid actress of 2022?
| Rank | Actor/Actress | Salary (in US million) | Movie Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Margot Robbie | 12.5 | Barbie |
| 2 | Sandra Bullock | 10 | The Lost City |
| 3 | Zendaya | 10 | Challengers |
| 4 | Millie Bobby Brown | 10 | Enola Holmes 2 |
| 5 | Lady Gaga | 10 | Joker 2 |
| 6 | Jennifer Lopez | 8.5 | Marry Me |
| 7 | Gal Gadot | 5 | Death on the Nile |
| 8 | Emily Blunt | 4 | Oppenheimer |
| 9 | Jamie Lee Curtis | 3.5 | Halloween Ends |
| 10 | Anya Taylor-Joy | 1.8 | Furiosa |
8. Melissa McCarthy – $25 million
Melissa McCarthy is expected to earn an impressive $25 million in 2023. The comedian and respected actress has starred in several projects this year like Genie, but her most recent and prominent role was Ursula in The Little Mermaid . In fact, the live action Disney movie paid her $10 million for this role.
In addition to her acting career, McCarthy has ventured into fashion, launching her own clothing line called “Seven7.” The brand, which focuses on size-inclusive designs, has been met with praise and has further cemented McCarthy’s status as a multi-talented force in the entertainment industry.
7. Jennifer Lawrence – $25 million
Jennifer Lawrence is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid actresses thanks to her recent roles in Don’t Look Up, Red Sparrow, and No Hard Feelings. She skyrocketed to fame after The Hunger Games films and immediately gained recognition for Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.
Because of her incredible resume, it was surprising that her big project of 2023 was a romantic comedy. However, we can understand why she took the role as the movie was highly publicized and paid her $25 million. Ultimately, her talent and charisma have made her one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood.
6. Julia Roberts – $25 million
Julia Roberts, with earnings of $25 million per year, continues to be a longstanding force in Hollywood. Most recently, she starred in Ticket to Paradise and Leave the World Behind, which have been very anticipated releases due to her stature and co-stars. In fact, she earned $25 million for Leave the World Behind alone.
Roberts’ career, spanning over three decades, has produced iconic performances in films such as Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and Eat Pray Love. Her ability to captivate audiences and deliver powerful performances has kept her at the top of this list for years.
5. Salma Hayek – $38 million
Fifth on our list of the highest paid actresses is Salma Hayek who is worth $250 million and is said to earn $38 million per year. This year, her earnings can be attributed to her work on Magic Mike’s Last Dance and an appearance in the hit sci-fi TV series Black Mirror.
Hayek’s career has seen her take on a diverse range of roles, from her breakthrough performance in Desperado to her critically acclaimed portrayal of Frida Kahlo in Frida. Her talent and commitment to her craft continue to place her in the Hollywood elite each year.
Who is the highest paid Hallmark actress?
This is a list of net worths for several actresses who have starred in Hallmark Christmas movies. The highest net worth on the list is Wendie Malick, with a net worth of $16 million.
| Rank | Name | Net Worth | Top Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wendie Malick | $16 Million | – |
| 2 | Marilu Henner | $12 Million | – |
| 3 | Kimberly Williams-Paisley | $10 Million | “The Christmas Train” |
| 4 | Candace Cameron Bure | $14 Million | – |
| 5 | Alison Sweeney | $9 Million | – |
| 6 | Tamera Mowry-Housley | $8 Million | – |
| 7 | Jessica Lowndes | $6 Million | “Magical Christmas Ornaments” |
| 8 | Joan Cusack | $6 Million | – |
| 9 | Danica McKellar | $6 Million | – |
| 10 | Holly Robinson Peete | $4 Million | “Christmas in Evergreen” |
| 11 | Lacey Chabert | $4 Million | – |
| 12 | Brooke Burns | $3 Million | “Christmas Connection” |
| 13 | Kellie Martin | $3 Million | – |
| 14 | Maggie Lawson | $2 Million | “Christmas Encore” |
| 15 | Bonnie Bedelia | $2 Million | “A Joyous Christmas” |
4. Angelina Jolie – $35 million
Angelina Jolie‘s earnings of $35 million can be attributed to her role as the iconic Disney villain Maleficent in the second installment of the franchise, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. The film was a massive box office success, grossing over $800 million worldwide. Jolie’s performance as the dark and enigmatic Maleficent once again captured the hearts of audiences around the world. She is currently working on her next Maleficent role for the third moving coming 2024-2025.
Apart from her acting career, Jolie is also a committed philanthropist and humanitarian. She serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and uses her influence to advocate for refugees and displaced persons worldwide.
3. Reese Witherspoon – $40 million
Reese Witherspoon has continually been among the highest-paid actresses with her yearly earnings of $40 million, which she is also set to achieve in 2023 without a doubt. Witherspoon’s role as Madeline in Big Little Lies garnered widespread praise as she earned nearly $1 million per episode. This year, she is working as the Executive Producer on many projects, but also acting in The Morning Show.
Along with this success, her production company, Hello Sunshine, has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. The company’s recent adaptation of the best-selling novel Where the Crawdads Sing was a box office success, contributing to Witherspoon’s impressive earnings.
2. Nicole Kidman – $50 million
Nicole Kidman seems to never stop working and that certainly equates to her high earnings each year. Before she was known for her roles in TV miniseries, she was a film star in movies like Dead Calm and Moulin Rouge! And of course, she also is notable for her heartbreaking role in Big Little Lies. Most recently, she’s done a few TV miniseries including Expats, Faraway Downs, and Special Ops: Lioness. As a result, she is expected to bring home $50 million this year. She is one of the most respected and successful actresses in Hollywood.
1. Margot Robbie – $50 million
Last, but not least, we have our number one highest paid actress: Margot Robbie. 2023 was a huge year for Margot Robbie with Barbie taking over social media, commercials, and billboards. She happened to be the highest earner last year as well with $12.5 million upfront for Barbie. However, as we now know since the film’s release and huge success, she will earn $50 million this year plus an extra bonus from the box office sales. This is incredible for Robbie and solidifies her as the highest female earner of 2023.
In addition to Barbie, she was also in Asteroid City this year and carries past fame from The Suicide Squad, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and The Wolf of Wall Street. She is sticking around as a top-tier actress, so she will probably be the face of many future projects as well.
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Who is the highest-paid actress of all time?
Throughout the years, several actresses have consistently been ranked among the highest-paid in the industry. Names like Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Margot Robbie, and Julia Roberts are often mentioned, but their salary changes every year. As a result, one actress often takes over the number one spot and the rankings change. The substantial cumulative earnings from their illustrious careers make them strong contenders for the title of the highest-paid actress of all time.
Conclusion
2023’s top 20 highest-paid Hollywood actresses boast incredible talent, versatility, and commitment. Captivating global audiences through iconic movie roles and acclaimed TV performances, they’ve left an indelible mark on the industry and found groundbreaking success in their earnings. Breaking barriers and championing diverse stories, their influence will undoubtedly inspire future generations.
