DHAKA: Robert Downey Jr. is once again the most highly paid actor in Hollywood, according to Forbes magazine. The publication, which regularly ranks who is making top dollar, estimates that Downey earned roughly $75 million between June 2013 and June 2014, putting him at the top of its highest-paid actors list for the second year in a row.
To compile its list of top-paid actors, Forbes speaks with producers, agents, lawyers and others close to the stars to get an estimate of earnings before taxes, agent fees and the other costs. Here is the list Hollywood's highest-paid actor.
1. Robert Downey Jr. ($75 million)
For Robert Downey Jr., it pays to be "Iron Man." Downey has been crowned Hollywood's highest-paid actor by Forbes magazine for the second year in a row, with an estimated haul of $75 million within the past year alone.
2. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ($52 million)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is "Hercules" this summer, but he's been pretty busy lately, starring in no less than five films in 2013. For his hard work, Forbes estimates the wrestler-turned-actor earned around $52 million.
3. Bradley Cooper ($46 million)
Bradley Cooper, center, has earned both the money and critical accolades over the past year. In 2013, he did another installment of the popular "Hangover" franchise (with Ed Helms, left, and Zach Galifianakis), but then he also took on the more acclaimed "American Hustle." Between June 2013 and June 2014, Cooper earned roughly $46 million, enough to debut on Forbes' list.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio ($39 million)
Leonardo DiCaprio still didn't win an Oscar in 2013, but he has enough money to go "The Wolf of Wall Street" if he wanted. Despite cutting his upfront fee to get "Wolf" made, DiCaprio earned an estimated $39 million over the past 12 months, Forbes reports. Here he plays the title role in "J. Edgar," the 2011 bio of the FBI chief.
5. Chris Hemsworth ($37 million)
Chris Hemsworth's reign as Thor comes with a princely sum. The Australian actor, here with co-star Natalie Portman, is in the top five of Forbes' highest-paid actors list this year, earning an estimated $37 million.
6. Liam Neeson ($36 million)
Liam Neeson is taking action movies such as "Taken" all the way to the bank. After releasing "Taken 2" in 2012, Neeson didn't act much in 2013 -- there were "Third Person" and "Khumba" -- but he still saw $36 million between June 2013 and June 2014. And "Taken 3"? It's lined up for 2015.
7. Ben Affleck ($35 million)
Ben Affleck splits his time in front of and behind the camera, but he can still command a pretty penny as an actor. Forbes estimates the Oscar winner (here in "Argo") made $35 million in the past year. He's now playing Batman in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice."
8. Christian Bale ($35 million)
"The Dark Knight's" Christian Bale may have left hero work behind in 2013 in favor of riskier fare such as "Out of the Furnace" and "American Hustle," but he still made an estimated $35 million.
9. Will Smith ($32 million)
Studios still pay Will Smith top dollar to star in their blockbusters because even when he misfires, he still brings in a huge fan base. Smith's most recent passion project is a new big-screen version of "Annie" starring African-American actors in many of the key roles. He produced the film with Jay-Z.
10. Mark Wahlberg ($32 million)
Wahlberg is still collecting money from 2012's "Ted." The raunchy comedy earned $550 million in theaters on a $50 million budget. This year he showed his more serious side with "Lone Survivor." The $40 million movie brought in a healthy $150 million at the global box office. In addition to his movie work, Wahlberg has a thriving career as a TV producer. His company produced "Entourage" (soon to hit the big screen) and "Boardwalk Empire" on HBO. Now he's backing his "Pain and Gain" costar Dwayne Johnson with the football comedy "Ballers."
Source, Photos: CNN, Forbes
BDST: 1728 HRS JULY 23, 2014