50 Highest-Grossing Actors of All Time

Jay Maidment/Marvel/Walt Disney / Shutterstock.com
Jay Maidment/Marvel/Walt Disney / Shutterstock.com

Some of history’s top-grossing actors ground out big returns slowly over the course of long careers. Others scored huge hits with recurring roles in franchises early on. Regardless, the actors and actresses who bring home the big bucks are all but guaranteed fame and fortune in return.

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From Oscar-winning performers to blockbuster action stars, learn about the actors and actresses whose films have made the most money of all time at the domestic box office.

Last updated: Jan. 27, 2021

Christopher Lee Lord of the Rings
Christopher Lee Lord of the Rings

50. Christoper Lee

The late Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee starred in a number of blockbuster franchise films including “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” His films have grossed a total of $3.4 billion over the course of his lifetime.

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Owen-Wilson
Owen-Wilson

49. Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson sneaks into the top 40 with a box-office total of $3.4 billion. After more than two decades in the business, his 40-plus films boast average showings of $69 million.

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Robert-DeNiro
Robert-DeNiro

48. Robert De Niro

After more than 40 years and more than 80 films that include “The Godfather,” “Raging Bull” and “Goodfellas,” Robert De Niro can claim a lifetime box-office gross of $3.43 billion.

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Richard Young/Shutterstock (673410cl)Robbie Coltrane'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' film premiere, London, Britain - 03 Jul 2007.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Richard Young/Shutterstock (673410cl)Robbie Coltrane'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' film premiere, London, Britain - 03 Jul 2007.

47. Robbie Coltrane

Comedian Robbie Coltrane might be best known as Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” films, but he also starred in two James Bond movies. His movies have grossed an average of $84 million each for a lifetime total of $3.46 billion at the domestic box office.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Rob Latour/Shutterstock (10181039dl)Lupita Nyong'o50th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Press Room, Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, USA - 30 Mar 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Rob Latour/Shutterstock (10181039dl)Lupita Nyong'o50th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Press Room, Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, USA - 30 Mar 2019.

46. Lupita Nyong'o

As one of the stars of “Black Panther” — which is one of the top-grossing films of all time with a lifetime gross of $1.35 billion worldwide — it should be no surprise that Lupita Nyong’o made it onto this ranking. Her films have grossed a total of $3.47 billion.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock (5126900au)James Earl Jones and Darth Vader at the premiere of
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock (5126900au)James Earl Jones and Darth Vader at the premiere of

45. James Earl Jones

A star of both the stage and screen, James Earl Jones has starred in a number of notable films that have brought his lifetime box-office gross to $3.48 billion. Among his acting credits are the movies “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “The Lion King,” “The Hunt for Red October” and “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.”

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Photo by Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock (9727397fx)Paul Rudd'Ant-Man and The Wasp' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles - 25 Jun 2018.
Photo by Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock (9727397fx)Paul Rudd'Ant-Man and The Wasp' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles - 25 Jun 2018.

44. Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd’s films have grossed $3.48 billion, with his average gross per film at nearly $76 million. He has over 120 acting credits and has starred in such hits as “Ant-Man,” “I Love You Man” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”