Oscars, Schmoscars: Ranking The Highest-Grossing Actors Of All Time

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• Harrison Ford

• Chris Hemsworth

• Bradley Cooper

• Tom Cruise

• Tom Hanks

• Zoe Saldaña

• Chris Pratt

• Scarlett Johansson

• Robert Downey Jr.

• Samuel L. Jackson

Highlights

• Samuel L. Jackson tops the list of highest-grossing actors ever, with an impressive $28 billion in total box office earnings.
• Zoe Saldaña ranks as the second highest-grossing actress, accumulating $15.5 billion from her diverse filmography.
• A-list actors like Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise, and Chris Pratt are box office titans, with collective totals exceeding $12 billion.

Box office success is a complex beast, driven by factors like franchise power, international appeal, and star recognition.

Hollywood has long been fascinated by the idea of the bankable movie star – an actor whose name alone can draw crowds, virtually ensuring box office gold.

Traditionally, A-listers were celebrities with such onscreen charisma and star power that they guaranteed a film's financial success.

Today, the highest-grossing actors are not just faces on the screen; they are entertainment brands. Their involvement in blockbuster franchises has helped drive them to stratospheric heights of fame and fortune.

While the landscape of stardom may have changed, the allure of these bankable actors remains as potent as ever.

What sets these actors apart is not just their talent, but their ability to transcend borders and cultures, drawing audiences to theaters worldwide.

The international box office, particularly in booming markets like China, has amplified the influence of specific actors. This global appeal helps explain why so many of today's highest-grossing actors are linked with big franchises.

Franchise familiarity, of course, is a significant game-changer that influences box office numbers.

The dominance of financially colossal properties like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars means actors attached to these films can run up box office totals.

However, true stardom still resides in the ability to draw fans even outside these lucrative universes.

Let's explore the highest-grossing actors of all time, whose collective ticket sales speak volumes about their influence.

Forbes' Highest-Paid Actors List: Who Made The Top Ten?

10 Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford's Total Box Office Gross - $10,563,753,618

Harrison Ford is one of the few actors in the industry to be associated with not one big role but two: Han Solo, and Indiana Jones.

With 36 leading roles under his belt, Ford has amassed a worldwide aggregate box office of $6.3 billion.

He rose to prominence with his portrayal of Han Solo in the legendary Star Wars series, a role he reprised in four sequels spanning four decades.

The space opera franchise has grossed over $10.3 billion worldwide, contributing significantly to Ford's box office success.

Additionally, Ford is renowned for his portrayal of the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones in the beloved franchise, starting with Raiders Of The Lost Ark in 1981.

His films have grossed over $5.4 billion in North America alone and more than $10 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.

Notably, Ford is set to make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in the 2025 superhero films Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, replacing William Hurt, who played the character in previous MCU films.

Surely his stock will rise with this exciting addition to his already illustrious career.

9 Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth's Total Box Office Gross - $12,443,189,114

With his chiseled physique and comedic charm, Chris Hemsworth, an Australian import, has become a box office draw, especially due to his involvement in the MCU.

After building his acting career in Australia, particularly with his role in the soap opera Home And Away, Hemsworth took on Hollywood, landing a memorable part in the Star Trek reboot.

Yet nothing could prepare him for the meteoric rise that awaited him as the mighty Thor within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Chris Hemsworth has starred in over 29 films, with up to 27 of those being leading roles, collectively grossing $12.44 billion at the worldwide box office.

2017 was a particularly fruitful year for the Extraction actor, and Forbes estimates his earnings at $31 million, largely driven by his success in Ghostbusters and Thor: Ragnarök.

Chris Hemsworth's Net Worth: How Thor Earns And Spends His $130 Million Fortune

8 Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper's Total Box Office Gross - $13,018,467,857

Bradley Cooper has headlined 18 films, with a worldwide aggregate box office gross of $2,887,507,090.

Although Cooper's voice work as Rocket Raccoon in James Gunn's Guardians Of The Galaxy trilogy and the Avengers franchise helps his total gross, his superstardom extends far beyond the multi-billion dollar franchise.

With starring roles in blockbuster hits like American Hustle, American Sniper, and The Hangover series, Cooper has established his leading man reputation across various genres, churning out box office hits.

Additionally, his directorial debut came with A Star Is Born, where he also delivered a remarkable performance and showcased his musical abilities.

Cooper's films have grossed $13 billion worldwide, and he has consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid actors, earning this distinction four times, according to Forbes.

7 Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise's Total Box Office Gross - $12,777,548,769

Tom Cruise is the embodiment of the Hollywood action hero.

His relentless dedication to jaw-dropping stunts and charisma have made him one of the industry's most enduring stars. Tom Cruise has appeared in a total of 47 films, with 42 of them featuring him in leading roles.

Across his extensive filmography, Cruise's movies have collectively grossed over $12.78 billion worldwide. He is consistently one of the world's highest-paid actors.

In 2023, Forbes ranked Cruise as the third highest-paid actor of the year, with his earnings totaling $45 million. He has earned more than $100 million per film on three occasions.

Cruise's career began in the early 1980s, with breakthrough roles in Risky Business and Top Gun.

Throughout the 1990s, he starred in commercially successful films like A Few Good Men and The Firm, establishing himself as a leading Hollywood star.

His box office appeal makes him a bona fide megastar in an industry where A-list fixtures are increasingly rare.

Toy Story And Beyond: These Are Tom Hanks' Highest Grossing Movies

6 Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks' Total Box Office Gross - $11,774,917,693

Tom Hanks is America's sweetheart, a Hollywood icon whose films radiate warmth, humor, and often a touch of profound human drama.

Hanks has starred in 55 films as a leading actor, contributing to a total aggregate box office of $9.3 billion.

Despite not frequently appearing in major blockbuster films – aside from his iconic role as Woody in the Toy Story series – Hanks remains one of the highest-grossing stars in the world.

Hanks' films have grossed more than $11.8 billion worldwide, and his ability to shift effortlessly between comedy and drama is a hallmark of his talent.

Hanks has forged long-standing collaborations with legendary directors like Steven Spielberg, resulting in box office hits like Saving Private Ryan and Catch Me If You Can.

From the charming splash he made in Big to his Oscar-winning performance in Forrest Gump, he consistently delivers unforgettable characters that have taken audiences to the theater and money to his bank.

5 Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña's Total Box Office Gross - $15,531,970,441

Queen of the box office, Zoe Saldaña, ranks second as the highest-grossing actress of all time, with a total of $15.5 billion at the global box office.

This accomplishment is all the more impressive, considering she has not necessarily been the sole lead in many of her biggest films.

Saldana's box office dominance is largely fueled by her appearances in some of the highest-grossing films ever made.

She holds the unique distinction of starring in four of the top six: Avatar, Avatar: The Way Of Water, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

On top of her work in the MCU and James Cameron's Avatar, she starred in other chart-toppers like the first Pirates Of The Caribbean film, and played Uhura in all three Star Trek reboot movies.

Looking ahead, Saldana is contracted to appear in the upcoming Avatar sequels, signaling her reign at the top of the box office charts will likely continue for years to come.

These Are The Highest-Grossing Zoe Saldana Movies

4 Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt's Total Box Office Gross - $15,678,536,964

Chris Pratt's rise from lovable sitcom star to action hero was swift, and he has quickly become one of the most in-demand leading men in Hollywood.

First rising to fame for his lovable goofball persona in Parks And Recreation, he has transformed into a bona fide action hero.

Pratt has starred in two of the most successful film franchises of all time, securing a remarkable $5.6 billion at the global box office across 13 leading roles.

His breakout role as the charismatic space outlaw Star-Lord in Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy launched him into the stratosphere.

He further consolidated his action-star status with the revitalization of the Jurassic World franchise, bringing fresh energy and humor to the role of dinosaur handler extraordinaire Owen Grady.

Pratt's appeal does not stop with live-action blockbusters. He has proven his versatility as a voice actor, lending his talents to blockbusters like The Lego Movie and its sequel and the smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed over $1.36 billion.

In total, Pratt has appeared in over 33 films, all of which have grossed a combined sum of $15.7 billion.

3 Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson's Total Box Office Gross - $15,432,591,515

Scarlett Johansson is the highest-grossing actress of all time, with a total worldwide gross of $15 billion.

Her impressive career trajectory is marked by a unique blend of critically acclaimed independent films and blockbuster franchises.

Johansson's long-standing role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been the primary catalyst for her remarkable total gross.

She brought the skilled assassin to life across eight films, culminating in her own solo feature, Black Widow, in 2021.

Before joining the MCU, Johansson established herself as a talented actress with roles in independent smash hits like Don Jon and Lost In Translation.

She consistently balanced superhero showdowns with thought-provoking dramas like Marriage Story and Under The Skin.

Even forays into animated films like the Sing franchise have contributed to her immense box office total.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Remarkable Journey, From Rock Bottom To Box Office Gold

2 Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Total Box Office Gross - $16,304,964,180

Robert Downey Jr. is a true box office titan, with his films alone scoring over $16.3 billion globally.

He is a master of charisma and rapid-fire wit, traits perfectly embodied in his defining role as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Downey has experienced a remarkable resurgence in both his career and public perception.

Beginning with Jon Favreau's Iron Man, RDJ starred in ten iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe films, cresting in the cash cow Avengers: Endgame.

Throughout the past decade of the franchise, he has chalked up quite a few box office smash hits, but projects like the Sherlock Holmes movies have also helped to bolster his reputation.

Robert Downey Jr. has starred in 29 lead roles, adding $2.4 billion to his overall box office total.

In addition to his box office haul, Downey was listed by Forbes as Hollywood's highest-paid actor from 2013 to 2015.

1 Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson's Total Box Office Gross - $28,077,348,325

Samuel L. Jackson's total box office gross stands at $28 billion – an all-time record, making him the undisputed highest-grossing actor of all time.

Jackson's box office dominance is built on his ability to seamlessly transition between genres, from intense dramas to explosive action films and animated features.

His portrayal of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe clearly contributed to his box office total, with appearances across eleven MCU films.

It is important to note that Jackson established his box office draw long before becoming a superhero mainstay, with memorable roles in the Star Wars prequels, Jurassic Park, and his voice work in Pixar's The Incredibles.

As a prolific leading man with 55 top-billed credits, Jackson has fueled a remarkable $4.6 billion in global box office earnings.

His filmography includes big-budget productions like Die Hard: With A Vengeance, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kong: Skull Island, and Glass.

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