Though movie theatres had to shut shop due to COVID-19, platforms like Netflix helped these highest-paid actors of 2020 earn heavy paychecks.
It was just a year ago when legendary director Steven Spielberg said that online movie streaming services like Netflix didn’t meet the qualification criteria of proper theatre movie platforms and their movies should not have been considered for the Oscar Awards. Little did he know that a pandemic would force the movie theatre business to shut down for a large part of the next year, crippling the global the film industry’s finances.
To add salt to Hollywood’s (and peer film industries) wounds, a year after Spielberg’s statement, the same online streaming movie platforms came to the rescue of the film industry. If we go through the list of the richest actors in 2020, a big portion of their income has come through their works on platforms like Netflix. Next year, there may be a debate that the Netflix movies and actors should be given preference in the Oscar Awards. However different new regulations may be, actors have been the biggest beneficiaries of the paradigm shift.
Here’s how much money the Top 11 Highest Paid Actors in the World added to their net worth in 2020.
1/11
Dwayne Johnson
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.4X
Dwayne Johnson aka ‘The Rock’ has retained his position as the most paid actor in the world for the second year in a row. The former professional football player and WWE star wrestler has earned $87.5 million so far out of which $23.5 million have come through Netflix. His movies Red Notice, Jungle Cruise and Black Adam have release dates in 2021. Johnson has also achieved TV fame for his hit series The Titan Games. His upcoming TV series, Young Rock, will be released in 2021.
| Dwayne Johnson | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dwayne Douglas Johnson |
| Age | 48 |
| Nationality | American Canadian |
| Active Since | 1999 |
| 2020 Earnings | $87.5 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $320 million |
| Recent Film Releases | Fighting with My Family Shazam! Hobbs & Shaw Jumanji: The Next Level |
| Future Film Releases | Jungle Cruise Red Notice Black Adam |
It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.
Dwayne Johnson – Famous Quote
Watch: Trailer of Dwayne Johnson’s Upcoming Release ‘Red Notice’
2/11
Ryan Reynolds
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.9X
The Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds is the second-highest-paid actor in the world with earnings of $71.5 million. The Deadpool star made $20 million through Netflix with his action thriller movie 6 Underground. Reynolds is also cast alongside Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot in Netflix’s upcoming movie, Red Notice. The actor is also an executive producer of ABC’s game show, Don’t, which premiered on June 11.
| Ryan Reynolds | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ryan Rodney Reynolds |
| Age | 44 |
| Nationality | Canadian American |
| Active Since | 1991 |
| 2020 Earnings | $71.5 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $150 million |
| Recent Releases | Detective Pikachu Hobbs & Shaw 6 Underground The Croods: A New Age |
| Future Releases | The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard Free Guy Red Notice The Adam Project |
When directors are talking, I make heavy eye contact. So they‘re 100 percent sure I’m listening, even if my mind wanders.
Ryan Reynolds – Famous Quote
Watch: Official Trailer of Ryan Reynold’s Netflix Blockbuster ‘6 Underground’
3/11
Mark Wahlberg
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.25X
He made good money by producing docuseries — McMillions and Wahl Street. His action-comedy — Spenser Confidential was Netflix’s third-most watched original film. It helped him earn $58 million in the year. Wahlberg, who started his career as a singer at 13, also featured in Scoob! and Joe Bell this year. His upcoming projects Infinite and Uncharted have release dates of 2021.
| Mark Wahlberg | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg |
| Age | 49 |
| Nationality | American |
| Active Since | 1989 |
| 2020 Earnings | $58 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $300 million |
| Recent Releases | Spenser Confidential Scoob! Joe Bell |
| Future Releases | Infinite Uncharted |
It only took me 49 years to realize I’m allergic to almost everything.
Mark Wahlberg – Latest Quote
Watch: Official Trailer of Mark Wahlberg’s Netflix project Spenser Confidential
4/11
Ben Affleck
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.6X
Ben Affleck is again in news for his Batman role in The Flash and Dark Knight role in the Justice League. The year 2020 has been good for Affleck as he has earned $55 million. His role of a recovering alcoholic in sports drama — The Way Back — was highly praised. In 2021, Affleck will star opposite Ana de Armas in Adrian Lyne’s thriller, Deep Water. The movie is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel.
| Ben Affleck | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt |
| Age | 48 |
| Nationality | American |
| Active Since | 1981 |
| 2020 Earnings | $55 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $150 million |
| Recent Releases | Triple Frontier Jay and Silent Bob Reboot The Last Thing He Wanted The Way Back |
| Future Releases | Deep Water The Last Duel Justice League: Snyder Cut |
HA, you got me. I’m dating. But let’s be serious for a moment and talk about something that is actually important.
Ben Affleck – Recent Quote
Watch: Official Trailer of Ben Affleck’s Upcoming Flick Deep Water
5/11
Vin Diesel
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.3X
It looked Vin Diesel would top the list of the highest earners in 2020 as the ninth part of The Fast and Furious was expected to rule the roost this year. But, destiny had willed otherwise as the movie release date was delayed by a year. Coronavirus pandemic also put an abrupt end to Bloodshot’s theatrical run. However, his Fast & Furious Spy Racers for Netflix helped him earn a decent amount of $54 million for 2020. He utilized his homestay time during the coronavirus lockdown as he released a song titled ‘Feel Like I Do’ by Kygo. Diesel is also a part of James Cameron’s Avatar 2.
| Vin Diesel | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Sinclair |
| Age | 53 |
| Nationality | American |
| Active Since | 1990 |
| 2020 Earnings | $54 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $225 million |
| Recent Releases | Avengers: Endgame Bloodshot |
| Future Releases | F9 Avatar 2 Avatar 3 |
We will find a way, or we will make one.
Vin Diesel – Recent Quote
Watch: The Official Trailer of Vin Diesel’s Upcoming Blockbuster Commercial Film ‘F9’
6/11
Akshay Kumar
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.2X
It is a big honour for a Bollywood star to make a place in a list full of Hollywood stars. Akshay Kumar made $48.5 million to be in sixth place in the highest-paid actors’ list. He is one of the most favourite Indian stars who wears many hats. He is an actor, dancer, karate specialist and a comedian. His only release this year is a horror-comedy Laxmii which was released on Disney+ Hotstar. He had a successful run in 2019 as his movies — Kesari, Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, Good Newwz — achieved success on the box office.
| Akshay Kumar | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia |
| Age | 53 |
| Nationality | Indian (relinquished) Canadian |
| Active Since | 1991 |
| 2020 Earnings | $48.5 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $325 million |
| Recent Releases | Mission Mangal Housefull 4 Good Newwz Laxmii |
| Future Releases | Sooryavanshi Atrangi Re Bell Bottom Prithviraj |
The joy brought by those three magic words is unmatched: Lights, Camera, Action.
Akshay Kumar – Famous Quote
Watch: Official Trailer of Upcoming Akshay Kumar starrer Sooryavanshi
7/11
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Net Worth Growth Rate: 2.3X
Miranda is a new entry into the list thanks to the movie, Hamilton. He has written the script, music and lyrics for the movie whose worldwide rights were acquired by Disney for $75 million. It made Miranda richer by $45.5 million. He is set for another big paycheck as his big movie — In the Heights — is scheduled to be released in June 2021. Miranda wrote the music and lyrics for the 2008 Broadway musical, In the Heights.
| Lin-Manuel Miranda | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lin-Manuel Miranda |
| Age | 40 |
| Nationality | American |
| Active Since | 1999 |
| 2020 Earnings | $45.5 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $80 million |
| Recent Releases | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Hamilton Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado Siempre, Luis |
| Future Releases | Vivo In the Heights Tick, Tick… Boom! The Little Mermaid Encanto |
When we choose to change, we shatter who we were, reassemble ourselves, leave hate in the distance & replace it with knowledge, understanding, & empathy.
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Recent Quote
Watch: Official Trailer of ‘In The Heights’ starring Lin-Manuel Miranda
8/11
Will Smith
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.15X
The Fresh Prince has done many big roles, but he garnered attention recently for his role as a genie in Disney’s Aladdin. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide to become Smith’s highest-grossing film. In 2020, he earned $44.5 million as most of his earnings came from mobile phone hits, including a Snapchat series and his Instagram account. Will Smith is expected to earn another big paycheck for an upcoming film, King Richard, where he is playing the role of the father of tennis stars Venus Williams and Serena Williams.
| Will Smith | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Willard Carroll Smith Jr. |
| Age | 52 |
| Nationality | American |
| Active Since | 1986 |
| 2020 Earnings | $44.5 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $350 million |
| Recent Releases | Aladdin Dads Gemini Man Spies in Disguise Bad Boys for Life |
| Future Releases | King Richard Life in a Year |
Watch: ‘Bad Boys for Life’ Official Trailer starring Will Smith
9/11
Sofia Vergara
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.3X
Sofia Vergara is the only female actor in the list of the top-10 richest actors in 2020. She has earned $43 million to be in ninth spot in the list. However, she is the highest-paid female actor for 2020, ahead of Angelina Jolie, Gal Gadot, and Melissa McCarthy. She is a judge on America’s Got Talent, and she has also been the highest-paid actress in American television from 2013-2019.
| Sofia Vergara | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara |
| Age | 48 |
| Nationality | Colombian American |
| Active Since | 1995 |
| 2020 Earnings | $43 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $180 million |
| Recent Releases | The Female Brain The Emoji Movie Bent The Con Is On Bottom of the 9th |
| Future Releases | Koati |
Look good, coming and going. 😏😏
Sofia Vergara – Recent Quote
Watch: Sofia Vergara in ‘The Female Brain’
10/11
Adam Sandler
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.1X
Netflix played a key role in Sandler’s earnings of $41 million in 2020. His film — Murder Mystery, became one of the most popular films of all-time on Netflix this year. The success helped him sign a deal worth $275 for four movies with the online movie streaming platform. It means 2021 is also going to be a success for Sandler from a financial aspect. He earned good reviews for his role in the 2019 movie Uncut Gems.
| Adam Sandler | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Adam Richard Sandler |
| Age | 54 |
| Nationality | American |
| Active Since | 1987 |
| 2020 Earnings | $41 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $420 million |
| Recent Releases | Murder Mystery Uncut Gems Goldman vs Silverman The Wrong Missy Hubie Halloween |
| Future Releases | Hustle Spaceman of Bohemia |
I work hard in my movies and my friends work hard and we’re trying to make people laugh and I’m very proud of that.
Adam Sandler – Famous Quote
Watch: Official Trailer of Netflix’s Hubie Halloween starring Adam Sandler
11/11
Angelina Jolie
Net Worth Growth Rate: 1.3X
The Mr. and Mrs. Smith star’s biggest paycheck for 2020 came from her starring role in The Eternals, scheduled to be released next year. The movie has a budget of $200 million. Angelina Jolie’s earnings from the movie easily made her the second-highest paid actress this year with $35.5 million adding to her coffers. Her movie, Those Who Wish Me Dead, is also scheduled for next year.
| Angelina Jolie | Biography |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Angelina Jolie Voight |
| Age | 45 |
| Nationality | American Cambodian |
| Active Since | 1982 |
| 2020 Earnings | $35.5 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $160 million |
| Recent Releases | Serendipity Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Come Away The One and Only Ivan |
| Future Releases | Eternals Those Who Wish Me Dead |
Where ever I am I always find myself looking out the window wishing I was somewhere else.
Angelina Jolie – Famous Quote
Watch: All the details about Angelina Jolie’s Upcoming Flick ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead”
