Actors That Made a Fortune in Box Office Revenue Shares

Salary: $20 million*
Worldwide Gross: $266.5 million*
Total Paycheck: $40 million*

Denzel Washington was keen to be on board when the idea for American Gangster was first being thrown around. So much so that he was ready and raring to go – but then the studio canceled. Luckily for Denzel, he had a “pay or play” clause. Even though the project was scrapped, he was still given his $20 million salary. 

Denzel Washington American Gangster @TheOXGod / Twitter.com

Then, something magical happened the following year. American Gangster was unexpectedly revived and Denzel was paid another $20 million to play Frank Lucas. He essentially banked double the cash for doing just one job. 

Salary: N/A
Worldwide Gross: $1.7 billion*
Total Paycheck: $81 million*

Alec Guiness was skeptical about Star Wars, famously calling it “fairytale rubbish” in letters to his friends. However, he must’ve had some faith in the story because instead of agreeing upon a salary to star as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original trilogy, he settled for 2.25% of the profits. 

Alec Guiness Star Wars @Music__Mentor / Twitter.com

That made his original salary around $20 million in today’s money, but as the years ticked by that fortune increased. By the end of his life, it’s thought that Guiness bought in around $81 million from the now Disney-owned franchise. 

Salary: $3.7 million*
Worldwide Gross: $300.5 million*
Total Paycheck: $19 million*

Marlon Brando was notoriously picky about what movies he starred in, so when he agreed to play the part of Jor-El fans were a little surprised. A superhero movie didn’t exactly seem like his wheelhouse, but when you take into consideration just how much he was paid, it makes total sense. 

Marlon Brando Superman @skipbolden / Twitter.com

Not only did Brando secure a $3.7 million salary, but also 11.75% of the profits. As Superman took an incredible $300.5 million, his total take-home was around $19 million. That’s astonishing considering he was on set for less than 13 days and in the AT&T Warner Bros. movie for less than 20 minutes. 

Salary: N/A
Worldwide Gross: $603 million*
Total Paycheck: $100 million

When Tom Cruise signed up to play the lead in the 2005 adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, he was pretty certain it was going to be a hit. After all, Steven Spielberg was at the helm. Tom was given a choice – receive a set salary or strike a deal that was based purely on revenue. 

Tom Cruise - War of the Worlds @AmblinRoad / Twitter.com

The Viacom CBS feature ended up taking an astronomical $603 million worldwide. Tom’s final cut? A cool $100 million. That’s not bad for a guy that got his big break dancing in his underpants in Risky Business. It just goes to show how risk can be worthwhile. 

Salary: N/A
Worldwide Gross: $225 million*
Total Paycheck: $35 million*

Back in the ‘90s, Jim Carrey had a Midas touch in the movie business. He starred in hit after hit, from the Ace Ventura franchise to The Mask and The Cable Guy. However, as the years ticked by Jim’s star dimmed a little. When he decided to star in 2008’s Yes Man, Jim opted to take a gamble. 

Jim Carrey Yes Man @rwncop / Twitter.com

He said no to a traditional salary and yes to 36.2 % of the movie’s box office gross. Clearly, he knew something the executives didn’t as the movie took over $225 million. It may be available to watch on Netflix for free now, but people were paying good money to see it 12 years ago.

Salary: N/A
Worldwide Gross: $482.3 million*
Total Paycheck: $40 million*

It’s no secret that audiences love an epic war film that tugs on the heartstrings, so when Steven Spielberg teamed up with Tom Hanks for Saving Private Ryan, it was hotly anticipated. Moviegoers flocked to theaters to see it upon its release in 1998. 

Tom Hanks Saving Private Ryan @THE_BrianBarnas / Twitter.com

CBS’ Paramount Pictures backed the feature – and it turned out to be a wise move. Hanks, as the leading man, could’ve commanded a hefty salary. Instead, he opted to take 20% of the box office gross. As the movie took home $482.3 million, he bagged $40 million.

Salary: $2.5 million*
Worldwide Gross: $*
Total Paycheck: $15 million*

Emma Watson might be worth $59 million, but she isn’t at the same leading lady level as some huge names like Angelina Jolie. With that being said, her upfront salary for 2017’s Beauty and the Beast was a rather modest $2.5 million. 

Emma Watson Beauty and the Beast @MintMovie / Twitter.com

Luckily for Emma, she negotiated a deal with Disney that meant her final payday was significantly higher. If the movie was as successful as other live-action remakes like Maleficent, Emma would take home $15 million. Luckily for her, the caper made $1.2 billion so it all worked out in the end.

Salary: Minimal
Worldwide Gross: $828 million*
Total Paycheck: $50 million*

When Christopher Nolan pitched the idea of Inception in 2010, it was considered a big risk. The concept was complex, and there was a strong chance audiences wouldn’t get it if it wasn’t done right. When Leonardo DiCaprio signed up, he believed in the project so much he agreed to take a minimal undisclosed salary in exchange for a cut of the profits. 

Leonardo DiCaprio Inception @Ieocaprios / Twitter.com

Leo didn’t just ask for a share of the box office takings, but also of the home video sales. Ultimately, it turned out to be a very shrewd business move as DiCaprio has made over $50 million from the project. 

Salary: N/A
Worldwide Gross: $624 million*
Total Paycheck: $100 million*

Men in Black 3 finally hit our screens back in 2012, 10 years after the second movie was released. Needless to say, it was so wanted by audiences that it was almost guaranteed to be a hit – which is probably why Will Smith agreed to performance-based pay instead of a traditional salary. 

Will Smith Men In Black 3 @meninblack / Facebook.com

The Sony Pictures Sci-Fi caper took a whopping $624 million at the box office, helping Smith’s share of the pie soar to over $100 million. It’s not surprising the actor is worth $260 million when he’s making big deals like this. 

Salary: $35,000*
Worldwide Gross: $1.1 billion (with inflation)*
Total Paycheck: $2.5 million*

Not only did Sylvester Stallone star in the 1976 hit movie Rocky, but he wrote it, too. Although the actor ended up making $2.5 million from the movie in the end, it could’ve been a very different story. Stallone explained the situation when talking to Variety. 

Sylvester Stallone Rocky @Vaxman80 / Twitter.com

“I got 10 net points. It was probably the first and last time anyone ever saw those pay off. All in all, I made about $2.5 million, which for me was unbelievable. I was the luckiest man in the world.” Prior to the success of the picture, Stallone was working as an Usher and making $100 a week. 

Salary: $14 million*
Worldwide Gross: $672.8 million*
Total Paycheck: $100 million*

Few Hollywood stars are quite as savvy in business as Bruce Willis. After all, he’s been around for a while. Back in 1999, he signed on to play Malcolm Crowe alongside Haley Joel Osment in M Night Shyamalan’s hit thriller, The Sixth Sense. 

Bruce Willis The Sixth Sense @PopHorrorNews / Twitter.com

Willis’ salary for the movie wasn’t bad at $14 million, but it didn’t stop there. Bruce’s contract included a percentage of profits once the movie was released. As Disney’s The Sixth Sense was a breakout hit that audiences loved, it took $672.8 million – making Bruce an even richer man than he already was.

Salary: $30-$50 million*
Worldwide Gross: $2 billion*
Total Paycheck: $75 million*

Robert Downey Jr. had a huge part to play in the entire Avengers franchise. As Tony Stark, he effectively built the entire foundation for the Marvel Cinematic Universe upon Iron Man’s release in 2008. When directors hired him for the role, they were taking a risk on a man that had almost ruined his entire reputation. 

Robert Downey Jr. The Avengers: Infinity War @MarvelousRDJ / Twitter.com

The risk turned out to be a profitable one for everyone involved. By the time Avengers: Infinity War was released, Robert was commanding a salary of anywhere between $30-$50 million. On top of that, he took home a percentage of the profits, seeing him net around $75 million for just that one movie alone. He has also cameoed in Sony’s Spider-Man franchise. 

Salary: $1 million*
Worldwide Gross: $216.2 million*
Total Paycheck: $40 million*

Cameron Diaz may have retired from acting now, but back in 2011, she was still giving it her best shot. When she agreed to play middle school teacher Elizabeth Halsey in Bad Teacher, she was being paid just $1 million up front. That’s not a patch on what the actress used to command in her heyday. 

Cameron Diaz Bad Teacher @FromWhereISitBorsellino / Facebook.com

While Cameron didn’t get the $20 million sum she was able to ask for a decade prior, she ended up making a truly historical amount of money. Her portion of the $216.2 million box office gross saw her make $40 million from the movie in total. This particular deal is considered legendary in Hollywood.

Salary: Unknown
Worldwide Gross: $790.7 million*
Total Paycheck: $65 million*

When Steven Spielberg and George Lucas come together, they make cinematic history. The two powerful filmmakers created one of the most profitable franchises of all time, Indiana Jones. Of course, Harrison Ford came along for the ride and proved that he really is the ultimate action hero. 

Harrison Ford Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull @gameraboy1 / Twitter.com

In 2008 he agreed to reprise the role of Indi almost two decades after the last movie was made. Harrison made it clear – he would come back, but only if he was able to take home a percentage of the movie’s profits. The deal was struck and Ford walked away with $65 million.