The top 12 list of wealthiest actors in America is full of some of Hollywood’s biggest icons and offers a few surprises.
Drum roll, please…
12. Will Smith
The four-time Grammy winner Will Smith has made his mark on the entertainment industry as an actor, rapper, and producer.
According to TheThings.com, Smith earned $5 million for Independence Day and Men In Black, $14 million for Enemy of the State, and $7 million for Wild Wild West.
However, it was Men in Black 3 which really put the actor into another financial category.
Smith earned $100 million in total for his performance.
While Smith’s career has been a huge success, but he does have one regret.
He was approached to be in the 1999 hugely successful sci-fi action thriller The Matrix, but turned down a role which was eventually filled by Keanu Reeves – something he regrets to this day.
Estimated Net Worth: $350 million
Interesting Fact: Will Smith was a millionaire by the age of 20, largely thanks to his hip hop career, but was nearly bankrupt a few years later. His work on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air helpd him turn it around.
11. Michael Douglas
Photo Credit: By: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The American actor and producer has had an eclectic career starring in movies such as Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, The American President and Traffic.
Douglas married actress Catherine Zeta-Jones in 2000.
Estimated Net Worth: $350 Million
Interesting Fact: In 1980, Douglas was in a serious skiing accident which placed his career on hold for three years while he recovered.
10. Keanu Reeves
Photo Credit: Governo do Estado de São Paulo, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Reeves has received acclaim for his work in The Matrix, – which he’s probably thankful for Smith declining the role—the John Wick and Bill and Ted Franchises, Point Break, Speed, and Point Break.
Estimated Net Worth $360 million
Interesting Fact: Reeves was a highly regarded hockey player when he was growing up in Canada. In fact, Reeves toyed with the idea of playing for the Canadian Olympic team, but pivoted to acting instead. He eventually dropped out of high school to pursue his acting career.
9. Clint Eastwood
Eastwood is a producer, director and actor hailing from San Francisco.
He’s racked up awards for his work on films including, Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, American Sniper, and Unforgiven.
Estimated Net Worth: $360 Million
Interesting Fact: Eastwood is a US Army veteran who was drafted into the Korean War and served as a lifeguard at Fort Ord in Northern California for his entire military tenure.
8. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0CC BY-SA 2.0 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Austrian-born former bodybuilder, turned actor, turned Governor made a splash when he starred in The Terminator in the 80’s.
He’s also made money as an entrepreneur by investing into several different businesses.
Arnold is not the first actor to serve as Governor of California (2003-2011).
President Ronald Reagan served as Governor from 1967 to 1975.
Net Worth: $400 Million
Interesting Fact: Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian army, which was required by law. He had to spend one year in military service once he reached the age of 18. Some even say his service helped him better prepare for his role in Commando.
7. Tom Hanks
Run Forrest, Run.
Tom Hanks sure has been running to the half a billion mark since he launched his career
SPOILER: He’s not quite there yet, but he’s still on the top 10 list!
His work from Forrest Gump, Da Vinci Code, You’ve Got Mail, Angels and Demons, and Toy Story have him rising the financial ranks.
Estimated Net Worth: $400 million
Interesting Fact: Hanks is active in politics and narrated a 2012 documentary that was being produced for President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
The film was titled The Road We’ve Traveled.
6. Sylvester Stallone
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Rocky and Rambo franchises has been great to Stallone’s career and bank account.
In fact, the Rocky franchise – if you include the Creed spinoffs has produced a film in every decade since the 1970’s.
That’s a long run!
Estimated Net Worth: $400 Million
Interesting Fact: Stallone actually played a small role in an adult film when he was struggling to break into Hollywood in 1970.
“Going in one more round when you don’t think you can – that’s what makes all the difference in your life” – Sylvester Stallone
5. Jack Nicholson
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The Shinning star has been in a number of hits including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Departed, A Few Good Men and As Good as It Gets.
While he’s not as active as he used to be, he’s still stacked enough earnings to make this list!
Estimated Net Worth: $400 Million
Interesting Fact: Nicholson, an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, rarely ever misses a game. If you ever watch one of their contests on TV you will likely catch a glimpse of him soaking in some elite basketball action.
4. Mel Gibson
Photo Credit: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The New York-based jack of all trades has won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
His work on films such a Braveheart, Passion of Christ, We Were Soldiers, and others
Estimated Net Worth: $425 million
Interesting Fact: Gibson was considered by Director Tim Burton to play the lead role in Batman in 1989, but was passed over for Michael Keaton.
3. George Clooney
Photo Credit: Nicolas Genin, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Clooney, who found stardom through his role on the hit television series E.R., is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.
Estimated Net Worth: $500 million
Interesting Fact: In 2005, Clooney was the first-ever cover model for the men’s edition of “Vogue”, which was simply titled “Men’s Vogue”
2. Tom Cruise
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Cruise just starred in a new Top Gun film over the summer, but we can assure you he didn’t need to do it for the money.
Between the Mission Impossible franchise, Rain Main, the original Top Gun, Cruise has ammased enough cash to make it near the top of the list.
Estimated Net Worth: $570 million
Interesting Fact: Tom Cruise was a high school wrestler who loved the sport. Once a knee injury sidelined his wrestling hobby, he went searching to find a new way to compete. Thankfully for moviegoers that new hobby was acting. He auditioned for his school’s production of Guys and Dolls and the rest is history.
1. Jerry Seinfeld
The co-creator and star of the iconic sitcom Sienfeld is a titan of the industry and his bankroll backs that up.
During his final season of Sienfeld, Jerry was raking in $1 million per episode!
Estimated Net Worth: $750 million
Interesting Fact: Jerry is an avid meditator. He practices the art of Transcendental Meditation. He’s practiced this type of mediation for over 40 years and is a big promoter of it.