The Highest-Paid Actor of 2023 Revealed — Public Discusses Whether It’s Deserved

Recently, Forbes published a report on the \”Top Ten Highest-Paid Actors of 2023\”, and some names on the list made people\’s jaws drop. Overall, the ten highest-paid stars combined earned $449 million, but how those millions were distributed among the actors is the thing that made people question.

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Leonardo DiCaprio, Brie Larson, Brad Pitt, Kathy Bates, and others, 2020 | Source: Getty Images

To understand the dynamics of earnings in the entertainment industry, it\’s crucial to note the stark contrast between the salary contracts of TV show actors and movie actors. While TV actors on Netflix typically receive upfront payment with minimal residual earnings post-release, movie actors benefit from a percentage of movie sales over their lifetime, including box office earnings, rentals, and purchases.

It\’s not surprising that the list includes a famous \”Friends\” star or the renowned \”Titanic\” actor, given their longstanding success and ongoing royalties. However, there are other names on the list that might have made people do a double-take, leaving them puzzled about how some actors managed to secure their positions in the highest-paid stars list.

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Drew Vinton, Matt Damon, Alan Moloney, Cillian Murphy, and others, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

The first problematic figure turned out to be Denzel Washington, who was only tenth on the list among other actors. It is not his high salary of $24 million that made people angry. Quite the opposite — the public was astounded by how low the beloved actor was ranked.

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Denzel Washington, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

“Denzel what?! The man definitely deserves highest paid!!!” commented a user. “Denzel only 24 !!! Whattttttt omg he\’s one of the best actors in this world !!!!” another agreed.

The comments were flooded with exclamations regarding the actor\’s low salary, calling it unfair and uncalled for. The actor has become a cinematic icon through his performances such as Malcolm in \”Malcolm X\” and as the corrupt detective in \”Training Day,\” a role that earned him an Academy Award. And let\’s not forget his portrayal of a soldier in \”Glory,\” which also earned him an Oscar.

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Denzel Washington, 1990 | Source: Getty Images

If such a prominent figure in the movie industry is last on the list, the question arises — who ranks above him? The answer is simple: Batman.

None other than Ben Affleck ranked ninth on the list with his salary of $38 million, which makes him still poorer than the iconic superhero that he portrayed in the \”Suicide Squad,\” \”Justice League,\” and \”Batman v Superman\” adaptations.

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Ben Affleck, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Just like his character in \”Gone Girl\”, Affleck was outsmarted and outnumbered by some influential women on the list, who earned more than him despite his wide-ranging filmography. It might have even been his former co-star from the 2009 rom-com “He\’s Just Not That Into You,” but let\’s take it all in step by step.

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Ben Affleck, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Only three million dollars ahead of Ben Affleck, the beloved Jason Statham ranked as number eight. It looks like the \”Fast and Furious\” star wasn\’t furious enough with his salaries since he ranked so low, despite starring in blockbusters such as “The Transporter” and “The Expendables.”

His bald looks did not come with bold salary choices, so he goes down in history as the seventh most-paid actor of 2023.

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Jason Statham, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Leonardo DiCaprio follows at number six with his iconic role in \”Titanic.\” While the public still debates whether there was enough space on that Titanic door for Jack alongside Rose, it is safe to say there was certainly enough space in DiCaprio\’s wallet for the money from his Oscar-winning films.

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Leonardo DiCaprio, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Despite earning $41 million, DiCaprio doesn\’t even crack the top five on the list. Nevertheless, with $41 million, the actor can still afford to live up to that “The Gatsby” lifestyle and have some cash left.

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Leonardo DiCaprio, 2012 | Source: Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston, the first woman on the list, ranks at number six, which doesn\’t surprise fans at all. After playing the role of the waitress on the \”Friends\” show for so many years, the actress deserves to never have to endure the struggles that Rachel Green faced in the story.

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Jennifer Aniston, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Additionally, Aniston continues to receive paychecks for her high-scoring movies, such as \”We are the Millers,\” \”Murder Mystery,\” and \”Just Go With It,\” so it\’s no mystery why she\’s high on the list.

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Jennifer Aniston, 2020 | Source: Getty Images

As we enter the top five of the highest-paid actors in 2023, it\’s worth mentioning the Barbenheimer phenomenon that swept through movie theaters worldwide. Matt Damon, one of the stars of \”Oppenheimer,\” reaps the rewards of his role with a salary of $43 million.