We all know that movie stars make a lot of money. Being a famous actor comes along with being rich and successful, it's simple facts. But which of these well known names have made the most money, and from which films? Well, it seems that sometimes one film franchise can make an actor more money than we will ever make in our entire lives... maybe we chose the wrong profession. Anyway, here is the list of some of the highest paid actors of all time, so you can have a selection of people to be jealous about to choose from. We're nice like that.
1. Morgan Freeman
Starting off strong with someone who couldn't deserve more to be on this list. Morgan Freeman is an icon, living legend and in many ways a God of the Hollywood scene (not to mention that he does actually play God in Bruce Almighty). His roles in films such as Shawshank Redemption and Seven helped him to achieve his well-paid status, and his mellow and soothing voice is something all of us are grateful for.
2. Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper directs, acts, and sings- a real triple threat. Over the years he's played a variety of roles in different genres of films from comedies to romance to drama, and in every area he has delivered. Avengers: Endgame, Guardians of the Galaxy, and American Hustle all helped him make his way onto this list, as well as his own project A Star is Born. We love to see it.
3. Zoe Saldana
The beauty that is Zoe Saldana made her way onto this list by being involved in two incredibly successful movie ventures. The first of these was a little movie you may have heard of called Avatar. This was the highest-grossing film of all time until it was knocked off the top by Avengers: Endgame which Saldana also played a role in. Not too bad going, we've got to say.
4. Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is someone you would probably expect to find on this list, as he's a real part of pop culture history. Known for being an all-around lovable guy that nobody can say a bad word about, the reputation of Hank's film legacy is just as strong as his own personal one. Forrest Gump and Castaway made big bucks as you would imagine, and the Toy Story franchise didn't hurt either, with his voiceover work as Woody the Cowboy in Toy Story 3 placing him securely in our highly paid list.
5. Scarlett Johansson
The blonde bombshell Scarlett Johansson has made it onto the list with ease. Having been around the film scene for years, also embodying a number of different characters in different roles, her portrayal of Black Widow throughout the entire Avengers series helped her gain her wealth and riches. The action side of Johansson we saw in Avengers: Endgame can also be seen in her film Lucy, meaning we know that she's not someone we'd choose to pick a fight in a hurry.
6. Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen is an undeniable king of the movie scene. Come on, he's Gandalf and he's Magneto, it doesn't get any more epic than that. His role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as the X-Men franchise are what helped him achieve his highly paid status, and as if his acting wasn't enough, in real life he's a well-known activist for equal rights. In short, we stan Sir Ian.
7. Cate Blanchett
The final woman on our list, Cate Blanchett is a mystical creature who brings a spiritual element to her character as nobody else could. Her role as the villain in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull lingers in the imagination hauntingly as does her role in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series, where she plays the majestic royal elf Galadriel.
8. Samuel L Jackson
Last but not least we come to the number one highest-paid actor of all time, the incredible Samuel L Jackson. Another actor that bore the fruits of the lucrative Avengers franchise, his role as Nick Fury achieved him the title of highest-paid actor of all time, and we're not mad about it. With other roles in Jurassic Park and The Incredibles Jackson definitely earned his number one spot on the list and we wouldn't have it any other way.
What a list of talented actors. If we can take away any lessons for ourselves here, it's that maybe auditioning for the next big movie franchise film might not be such a bad idea...