Here are the 30 highest-grossing actors of all time.
Some of them will likely surprise you.
Gary Oldman
British actorGary Oldmanis a chameleon.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
And sometimes, like his magical work in theHarry Potterfilm saga, he helps others disappear, too.
Thanks to these iconic book adaptations, Oldman earns a spot on this list.
He plays Police Commissioner Jim Gordon, the one honest cop in a dishonest Gotham City.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Dwayne Johnson
Are you followingDwayne The Rock Johnsonon Instagram?
If not – what are you doing with your life?
Correct this, quickly.
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
We can smell what The Rock is cooking: Its eight million pancakes.
But Johnsons highest-grossing movie is a gentler, funnier affair.
ItsJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the video game update of theRobin Williamsclassic.
Image via Lionsgate
Harrelson struck gold by nabbing a role in theHunger Gamesfilm franchise.
He plays Haymitch Abernathy, a former winner of the games who mentorsJennifer Lawrences Katniss Everdeen.
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchetthas an otherworldly presence.
Image via New Line Cinema
Her characters take ideas we know and present them in unique ways that feel familiar but surprising.
Vin Diesel
I am Groot.
With these three simple words,Vin Dieselgave theMarvel Cinematic Universethe jolt of sincerity and humor it needed.
Image via Universal Pictures
Beyond the MCU, Diesel lived up to his last name with his highly profitableFast & Furiousfranchise.
He centered the first one in 2001, then dipped out for awhile.
Josh Brolin
Its hard to fully trustJosh Brolin.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
This all came to a head in Brolins highest-grossing film.
He just needed to go purple.
Thanos is the big, bad, cosmic villain of the MCU.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Jeremy Renner
Becoming a high-earning movie star seems difficult.
But forJeremy Renner, all he had to do was take aim and fire.
Will Smith
Will Smith is one heck of a movie star.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Men In Black.Independence Day.Hitch.
The guy just oozes charm, humor, warmth, and watchability.
Even in his darker roles likeI Am LegendorHancock, well follow Smith down whatever path he chooses to take.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
So whats his highest-grossing film?
Aladdin, the 2019 live action remake of the 1992 Disney animated musical.
Smith had big shoes to fill, taking over the role of the Genie from Robin Williams.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
To his credit, Smith made it his own instead mere imitation.
His performance of Friend Like Me is… a banger.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Despite having a difficult to pronounce name,Benedict Cumberbatchis the 22nd highest-grossing actor of all time.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
After making the Internet go gaga over his take on Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch signed up for the MCU.
His Doctor Strange is not unlike Holmes.
And exceptional at his job.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Avengers: Endgame, featuring a brief but beautiful moment of Cumberbatch heroism, is his highest-grossing film.
The guy is both Magneto and Gandalf.
Hes central to both theX-MenandLord of the Ringsfilm franchises.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Youre just not gonna step toSir Ian McKellen.
And if you do, hell just control your metal stuff and scream You shall not pass!
until you get the message.
Image via DreamWorks Pictures
Idris Elba
To be blunt,Idris Elbais very handsome.
Coincidentally, thats exactly what they did to him in his role of Heimdall in the MCU.
Elbas time in the comic book film universe ended inAvengers: Infinity War, his biggest money-earner.
Image via Buena Vista Pictures
After that, he turned heads as the charismatic villain inFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
He also won a Golden Globe for his role as the titular antihero detective inLuther.
Mark Ruffalo
Okay, confession time.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Raise your hands if you had a crush on Smart Hulk inAvengers: Endgame.
If youre not raising your hand, youre lying.
Hes thicc as heck AND wears a smart cardigan AND gives people tacos when theyre sad.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
He fully rules, thanks toMark Ruffalo.
But Ruffalo nails him, bringing his indie cred honed in movies likeYou Can Count On Me.
Stanley Tucci
You might not knowStanley Tuccis name by heart.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
But you definitely know his face.
Whats at the top of the versatile character actors box office haul?
Be… our… guest!
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
ToBeauty and the Beast, the 2017 live action remake of the 1991 Disney animated classic.
Tuccis new role gives the film a playful sense of contemporary humor.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphyis a comedian, the only one on this list.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
To really make that green, though, Murphy had to team up with someone green.
Can you hear that in Murphys iconic voice?
Now picture it coming out of the mouth of a dang donkey.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
CEOMichael Eisnereven said Depps drunken antics were ruining the movie.
As they would soon learn, they were complaining their way to the bank.
Tom Cruise
People seemed surprised whenTom Cruisejumped on a couch and shouted about how he lovedKatie Holmes.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
But, like, why?
This commitment catapulted Cruise to the 15th highest-grossing actor of all time.
Audiences ate it up, giving Cruise his highest-earning flick.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Chris Hemsworth
Only those deemed worthy can wield the hammer of Mjolnir.
But a dope set of abs dont hurt.
And when Thor gained weight, so did the box office.
Image via The Weinstein Company
And if you dig Hemsworth the comedian, check him out having a ball inGhostbusters(2016).
Chris Evans
If you follow him on Twitter, you know thatChris Evansis Captain America IRL.
And hey – hes pretty good at playing Captain America onscreen, too.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Cap gets the best sendoff inAvengers: Endgame, Evans biggest film.
If youre looking for a non-Cap Evans role, check out his comedy work inScott Pilgrim Vs. Anthony Daniels
How do you become a money-making movie star without showing your face?
ForAnthony Daniels, the answer was simple: Put on a gold robot costume.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Through the sheer volume of his appearances as C-3PO in theStar Warsfranchise, Daniels is the 12th highest-grossing actor.
Alongside his whistling partner R2-D2, C-3PO gives the franchise some of its most genuine comic relief.
Daniels fussy English accent is charming, and his mannerisms are just classic.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Its wonderful to see him reappear inThe Force Awakens, his highest-earning film.
Chris Pratt
So youre a key member of beloved sitcomParks and Recreation?
Wait, but now youre a key member of the MCU thanks toGuardians of the Galaxy?
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Wait, but now youre also a key member of theJurassic WorldandLego Moviefranchises?
Chris Pratt: calm down!
Pratt, if youre not too busy, could you make us a mixtape?
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldanaplayed a lead role in the highest-grossing film of all time,Avatar.
UntilAvatars reign was bested by another film,Avengers: Endgame.
Oh – and Saldana happened to play a lead role in that one, too.
Filmmakers take note: You wanna make money, you cast Saldana.
Beyond these two box office behemoths, Saldana is a central role of another lucrative film franchise: theJ.
At this point, why not hire Saldana as Secretary of the Treasury?
Wed never have another recession again!
Andy Serkis
Does your film need a CGI-rendered character?
And would you prefer it to have an incredible human performance at its core?
There is one man you must call, and that man isAndy Serkis.
His talent, his commitment, and his versatility are all precious.
Serkis broke through as Gollum/Smeagol, the creature transformed by the ring in theLord of the Ringsfranchise.
Don Cheadle
Terrence Howardis likely upset about the eighth highest-grossing actor of all time.
Don Cheadle, the eight highest-grossing actor of all time.
And inAvengers: Endgame, Cheadles highest-performing film, Rhodes is at the center of everything.
Cheadle also helped theOceans Elevenreboot trilogy rake in lots of box office chips.
Morgan Freeman
Ah, that voice.
That soothing, peaceful, iconic voice.
It guides us through undeniable classics likeThe Shawshank Redemptionand dark underworlds likeSeven.
And it belongs to, of course,Morgan Freeman.
There should be a rule where he says the last line of every movie, dont you think?
Freemans highest-grossing film isThe Dark Knight, where he plays tech guru Lucius Fox.
At his personal number three, for playing a wizard,The Lego Movie.
For playing the president inDeep Impact, number seven.
And for literally playing God inBruce Almighty, number four.
Well… a superhero movie.
But Cooper doesnt play your average superhero.
He plays, and theres truly no other way to phrase this, a grumpy talking raccoon.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanksmay not be the number one grossing actor of all time.
Thats not weird, right?
Good, didnt think so.
Harrison Ford
Lets think aboutHarrison Fords resume for a second.
Hes Han Solo… and hes Indiana Jones.
One of those is more than enough to solidify a reputation as coolest actor ever.
The Force is strong with this one.
InStar Wars: The Force Awakens, Fords most lucrative film, Han Solos entrance is pure beauty.
And dont you forget it.
She gives the mysterious assassin equal parts ambiguity and relatability.
Plus, its a hoot watching Johannsson perform those awesome fight scenes.
Check outLucyif you want more ScarJo butt-kicking.
Everything else is Iron Man.
And what a role Iron Man was.
Did you know the most iconic moment inAvengers: Endgame, Downeys highest-earning film, almost didnt happen?
Originally, Downey didnt say anything when he snapped Thanos away.
They shot it the next day.
Samuel L. Jackson
At the end ofIron Man, after the credits roll, Hollywood vetSamuel L. Jacksonshows up.
To talk to Tony Stark about the Avenger initiative.
Jacksons Nick Fury is the onscreen architect of the MCU.
And in 2012sThe Avengers, Jacksons highest-earning movie, it all came together in a rollicking good time.
Beyond the MCU, top 10 movies for Jackson include theIncrediblesfranchise, and a little dinosaur movie calledJurassic Park.
