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Episode 46Bar race0:42

Hollywood's highest-paid actors: every Forbes list, 2013 to 2025

Cruise, Johnson, Sandler & the rest: each Forbes top 10

Source: Forbes highest-paid actors lists, 2013-20 and 2023-25 (none for 2021-22) · Mar 2026

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Guess the number

Guess the number: Adam Sandler, 2025

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Narration

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Runs 0:42.

How to read this chart: Bar length is the value at that moment and the order re-sorts as the values change. Watch the overtakes — and watch the axis, which usually rescales as it goes. More on bar race charts.

The takeaway

Not like-for-like: through 2020 Forbes ranked men only, before fees, endorsements included. Since 2023 it ranks all actors on film and TV pay after fees.

Transcript

48 million dollars beat Tom Cruise to number one. Robert Downey Jr. led 2013 with 75 million dollars, and held on through 2015 at 80 million. In 2016, Dwayne Johnson took the crown. In 2018, George Clooney hit 239 million, mostly from selling a tequila brand. Forbes now counts only film and TV pay, after fees. In 2024, Johnson was back on top at 88 million. Adam Sandler tops 2025 with — 48 million dollars, just ahead of Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise or Dwayne Johnson: who should top Forbes' 2026 list? Drop your answer below, and follow for daily stats from NumberReels.

Source & method

  • SourceFigures from Forbes highest-paid actors lists, 2013-20 and 2023-25 (none for 2021-22).
  • PeriodCovering Mar 2026.
  • ChartRendered as a bar race chart.
  • ElsewhereAlso on YouTube and Instagram.

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