2023’s Most Bankable Stars
In the entertainment industry, someone or something that is described as bankable is very popular and therefore likely to be very profitable.
A bankable actor/actress is someone who is “capable of guaranteeing box-office success simply by showing up in a movie.”
Bankability
The bankability of an actor includes their films’ box office track record, professional demeanor, versatility, and the ability and willingness to promote the films they are in.
There are a large number of bankable stars these days.
Forbes Magazine
Forbes Magazine has created a list of the top 10 highest-paid actors in 2023. The fact that these actors make the most money is what tells us how “bankable” they are.
These are the stars who won’t get out of bed unless the number is high enough. They certainly know their worth.
Here’s Forbes’ list of who took home the biggest paychecks in 2023.
Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
10. Denzel Washington
Oscar winner, Denzel Washington, appeared in The Equalizer in 2023, and the film grossed more than $191 million globally.
The film also hit Netflix’s top 10 Chart with more than 3.6 million views and earned mostly positive reviews from critics, making it a box office success—and filling Denzel’s pockets.
Columbia, The Equalizer 3 (2023)
Denzel’s 2023 Income
Denzel made $24 million alone off this one film, and a total of $28 million for the year—which is a testament to the enduring appeal of established actors.
Columbia, The Equalizer 3 (2023)
9. Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck starred in two films in 2023, Air—in which he also directed and produced—and Hypnotic.
The Film Air in specific grossed almost $75 million worldwide, which to some is considered a flop. However, Amazon apparently paid $130 million to distribute the film.
Ben’s 2023 Income
While Ben’s two movies made less than expected, he still brought home $38 million in 2023 alone—securing his status as a “bankable” star.
8. Jason Statham
Jason Statham was the leading role in The Beekeeper in 2023 It was the first box office hit of 2024, earning $152.7 million worldwide.
He also starred in Expendables, Meg 2: The Trench, and Fast X in the same year, totaling about $41 million for the year.
Jason’s 2023 Income
Jason earned a total of $41 million in 2023, with $25 million of that coming from The Beekeeper. He is easily one of Hollywood’s top earners, and this title will likely stick around for a while.
7. Leonardo DiCaprio
Oscar winner, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in 2023's Killers of the Flower Moon, which received 10 Oscar nominations.
The film also starred Robert De Niro, another well-known actor in the industry, among a few others.
Christopher William Adach, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Leo’s 2023 Income
Leo ties with Jason for 2023 income. He earned $41 million for his role in Killers of the Flower Moon—which was one-fifth of the movie’s $200 million production budget.
Clearly Leo is still a fan favorite and his name comes with a price.
Paramount, Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
6. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston stars in The Morning Show, which was in its third season in 2023. She also starred alongside Adam Sandler in Murder Mystery 2.
Netflix, Murder Mystery 2 (2023)
Jennifer’s 2023 Income
Jennifer’s acting income alone reached $42 million in 2023. She also appears in several advertisements, and has her own skincare line.
Netflix, Murder Mystery 2 (2023)
5. Matt Damon
Matt Damon starred as Leslie Groves in Oppenheimer, which was one of the top movies of the summer and earned a whopping 13 Oscar nominations. The film grossed more then $957 million worldwide.
Matt’s 2023 Income
Believe it or not, for Oppenheimer Matt took a lower-than-normal salary of $4 million in exchange for a percentage of the movie's substantial profits. He also earned $30 million from the 2023 film, Air.
In 2023 alone, Matt Damon earned $43 million.
4. Ryan Gosling
Playing Ken in Barbie, Ryan Gosling earned an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. The blockbuster hit raked in more than $1.4 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of the year.
Ryan’s 2023 Income
Ryan ties with Matt actually, earning a total of $43 million in 2023 alone. Ryan’s adaptability and unique appeal allow him great success in the industry, making him one of the most bankable stars for 2023.
Everett Collection, Shutterstock
3. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise had been listed as the most bankable star for many, many years in a row. There is no doubt he has always been a top earner.
He returned to the long-running Mission: Impossible series for Dead Reckoning Part One—and it grossed more than $567 million worldwide.
Paramount , Mission: Impossible (2023)
Tom’s 2023 Income
In 2023 alone, Tom earned $45 million—which is mostly due to the latest Mission: Impossible installment, which will have a second part coming in 2025, securing his title as a bankable star.
Paramount, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
2. Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie played the iconic role of the stereotypical barbie in Barbie—which ended up being the highest-grossing movie of the year.
It earned more than $636 in its first weekend in the U.S. It went on to surpass more than $1 billion worldwide.
Margot’s 2023 Income
Margot’s income for 2023 was a whopping $59 million. She has reportedly decided to take a break from acting and focus now on producing for a bit.
DC Entertainment, Suicide Squad (2016)
1. Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler is the top earner for 2023. He owns his own production company called Happy Madison Productions, which produces many of his films including, Murder Mystery 2.
Aside from on-screen acting, Adam also still does standup, earning about $400,000 per show, according to Forbes.
Adam’s 2023 Income
In 2023, Adam Sandler earned a whopping $73 million—making him the highest paid actor of the year.
Other Bankable Stars
Other actors and actresses who have previously made the list for “most bankable stars” include: Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Jude Law, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Robert Downey Jr., Bradley Cooper, Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, and so many more.
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