Adam Sandler has topped a list of Hollywood’s top 10 best paid actors in 2023 by American business magazine, Forbes.
Sandler, famed for his roles in The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer, raked in a total of $73m (£57.1m) thanks to the success of his stand-up comedy tour and 2023 Netflix film, Murder Mystery 2.
The 57-year-old star’s annual income outstripped that of Barbie star Margot Robbie, the second-highest earner, whose annual salary amounted to $59m (£46.1m).
As well as playing the lead role, Robbie was also a producer on the summer blockbuster, which was created by her production company, LuckyChap – the brains behind the dark hit thriller, Saltburn.
The actress, 33, is the youngest on the list by at least a decade.
Tom Cruise, 61, came third after cashing in on the latest Mission: Impossible film to earn $45m (£35.1m) last year.
Barbie co-star Ryan Gosling, 43, placed joint-fourth on the list, alongside Matt Damon, 53, with both earning $43m (£33.6m).
Greta Gerwig’s smash-hit comedy about the Mattel doll contributed more than £80m to the UK economy, according to production company, Warner Bros, and grossed $1.4bn (£1.1bn) worldwide, Forbes said.
Jennifer Aniston, 55, who starred alongside Sandler in Murder Mystery 2 and its predecessor, Murder Mystery, earned sixth place with an income of $42m (£32.8m).
The Friends star and Robbie are the only two women to feature in the Forbes list.
Action hero Jason Statham, 56 – the only British actor to make the cut – and Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, both amassed $41m (£32.1m) last year, earning them joint seventh place.
Meanwhile Ben Affleck, 51, who serves as the chief executive of artist-led studio, Artists Equity, co-founded with Damon, earned $38m (£29.7m).
His film Air – which he directed and starred alongside Damon – was released last year.
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The final entry was taken by Denzel Washington, 69, the oldest actor on the list, who earned $24m (£18.8m).
Last year he starred in the third instalment of popular franchise, The Equalizer.
The Forbes list is calculated through a series of interviews with agents and industry experts, as well as relying on sources such as IMdB Pro and Polestar.
The business magazine said its figures represent taxed earnings for the calendar year 2023 and only include income related to entertainment.
Source : Sky News
