Movie stars are paid a pretty penny to star in films. While it’s true that an actor or actress has to be good at what they do to command the big bucks and get cast in the best roles, it’s also true that producers and directors often use the status and popularity of an actor or actress when choosing someone to cast in their films. The more popular the star, the more money the movie is likely to make. That’s why some box office stars are in more movies than anyone else; they’re valuable. Read on to find out which ten stars are the most successful in the box office.
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Samuel L. Jackson — $8.6 Billion
What’s surprising about Samuel L. Jackson being the highest grossing actor in the movies is the fact that he doesn’t often have the leading role in many films. While it’s true he’s had his fair share of leading roles, he usually plays a smaller part in major motion pictures. However, he’s one of the busiest actors in all of the world, with more than 70 movies under his belt. His most successful film roles to date include Star Wars Episode I & III and The Incredibles. He’s taking on a number of big roles in the coming year, which is going to drive his worth even higher.
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Tom Hanks — $8 Billion
Forrest Gump himself is the second highest grossing actor in all of Hollywood. He’s known as a character actor as well as a leading man, taking on roles in some of the biggest movies of all time. He’s Forrest Gump, he was in Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan and The Da Vinci Code. He was in Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, showing he’s not afraid to take on a few roles in romantic comedies, serious roles in major films and even questionably funny roles in other films.
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Harrison Ford — $6.6 Billion
How could the man who plays Han Solo in the major movie franchise, Star Wars, not be on the list of most successful box office actors in the world? He’s the third most successful movie actor of our time, and it’s all because he takes some of the most famous roles in the world. He’s known for his roles in movies such as The Fugitive and Indiana Jones, as well as his roles in the Star Wars movies. The 71-year-old actor is currently reprising his role as Han Solo in the new Star Wars film set to debut next year.
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Tom Cruise — $6.6 Billion
He’s one of the most famous actors of all time, as well as one of the most controversial real-life personalities of all time. He’s known in the public for being just a little bit strange, but he’s known in the movies for being one of the best actors of all time. He made himself a household name in movies such as Top Gun, and continued to rise in fame as he starred in Mission Impossible roles and his role in Rain Man. He’s one of the most successful, most well-known actors in all the world, not just the US.
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Orlando Bloom — $6.5 Billion
Orlando Bloom is not one of the most popular actors in the world, nor has he been in nearly as many films as the rest of the actors on this list, but he has strategically gone for roles in some of the biggest movie franchises of all time, which is why he’s on the list. He’s known for his roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and The Lord of the Rings franchise. If he’d decided to try out for a role in either Twilight or Harry Potter, he’d probably be at the top of this list solely because of the movies.
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Bruce Willis — $6.4 Billion
He’s an action star all the way. You will never see Bruce Willis in any role in any romantic comedy or “chick flick,” which is part of his Hollywood appeal. He has a type and he sticks to it. He’s famous for roles in movies such as The Sixth Sense, Armageddon and Live Free or Die Hard, which are also some of his highest-grossing performances to date. He’s been known as one of the most famous action heroes of all time, taking only roles that appeal to him with a sense of adventure and complete action.
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Eddie Murphy — $6.2 billion
He’s hilarious and he made a fortune talking to animals in some of his biggest movies of all time – and being an animal in others. Most people love him most from his role as the Donkey in the hit animated Shrek movies, but they also love him for his roles in Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America. He’s considered the most successful comedic actor in Hollywood, but lately his roles are catered more toward families and children than they are to adults, which is just fine for the bottom line.
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Morgan Freeman — $5.8 Billion
What’s so refreshing about Morgan Freeman is his sheer lack of leading roles. He is a character actor who carefully considers every role before declining or accepting. Many actors don’t dare be so particular, but he is a professional at his craft and wants to star only in roles that speak to him. So far, it hasn’t damaged his career in the least. Freeman has been in movies such as Bruce Almighty, Robin Hood and The Dark Knight. Each one was a major box office hit, which is why the actor is so high on this list.
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Will Smith — $5.7 Billion
He rose quickly to fame starring as the Fresh Prince of Bel Air (and everyone knows the lyrics to that song) in the early 90s and has since made himself one of the most famous actors of all time. In addition to his television and movie roles, he’s also a rapper with a number of hit songs. His most famous movies include Independence Day, Men in Black and I am Legend. Eight of his films were number one consecutively at the box office, which further proves his worth in the movies. Directors and producers want him because he brings in the big bucks.
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Robin Williams — $5.7 Billion
He’s a funny man who plays some funny roles. Before he hit big in the movies, however, he made his name famous on the hit television series Mork and Mindy. He’s proven himself one of the most diverse actors in all of Hollywood, taking on silly, crazy roles in films such as Mrs. Doubtfire as well as dramatic roles in more serious movies. He’s won several awards for his acting roles, including six Golden Globes. In addition to starring in major blockbuster movies – and lending his voice to the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin – he’s also a comedian who still does stand up.
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