According to Forbes, the 10 highest-paid actresses earned a combined $186 million between June 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020. This is the first time that Forbes has compiled a list of the top-earning actresses in the world. Scarlett Johansson topped the list with $56 million. Johansson’s earnings come from her work on movies such as “Avengers: Endgame” and “Captain Marvel.”
Jennifer Aniston came in second place with $37 million. Aniston’s income comes from her work on TV shows such as “The Morning Show” and movies such as “Murder Mystery.”
Rounding out the top three is Angelina Jolie with $28 million. Jolie’s income comes from her work as a director and producer.
Here Are The Highest Paid Actresses 2020
10. Viola Davis: $15.5 million
Viola Davis is one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood. But did you know she’s also one of the highest-paid actresses in the world? According to Forbes, Davis was paid $15.5 million in 2019, making her the sixth-highest-paid actress in the world.
What’s even more impressive is that Davis only made her Hollywood debut a little over a decade ago, in 2008’s Doubt.
Since then, she’s starred in several high-profile films and TV series, including The Help, Fences, Suicide Squad, and How to Get Away With Murder. Davis has won numerous awards over the years, including an Oscar for Best Actress and three Primetime Emmy Awards. She’s also been nominated for a Golden Globe six times.
9. Elisabeth Moss: $16 million
Hulu paid her $1 million per episode to star in the dystopian The Handmaid’s Tale. She shared the profits of Invisible Man, a surprise hit that cost just $7 million and grossed $134.3 million.
8. Ellen Pompeo: $19 million
Ellen Pompeo is the highest-paid actress in Hollywood. According to Forbes, the “Grey’s Anatomy” star raked in $19 million between June 2018 and June 2019. That’s more than any other actress on TV or in movies.
What’s her secret? Pompeo has been vocal about her desire for pay equity with her male co-stars. In a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she said she was initially offered just $1 million per episode for the show’s 14th season. However, after negotiations, she landed a deal worth $20 million per year.
Pompeo has since renegotiated her contract again and is making $23 million per year. She’s one of the few women in Hollywood who can demand such a high salary.
7. Nicole Kidman: $22 million
Nicole Kidman is the world’s highest-paid actress, with an estimated $22 million in earnings. This is thanks in part to her work on Big Little Lies, for which she was paid $1 million per episode. Her other projects this year include Destroyer and The Goldfinch.
Despite being 51 years old, Kidman continues to be a major box office draw. In 2019, her films brought in over $1.2 billion at the global box office. She is one of only three actresses – along with Scarlett Johansson and Julia Roberts – who earned more than $10 million in the past three years.
In addition to her acting career, Kidman also has a successful production company, Blossom Films. The company has produced such films as Boy Erased and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
6. Emily Blunt: $22.5 million
Emily Blunt became the world’s highest-paid actress. She reportedly raked in $22.5 million between June 2019 and June 2020. This was largely due to her starring role in “The Girl on the Train.”
Interestingly, this is not Blunt’s first time at the top of the list. In 2018 and 2019, she was ranked as the world’s second-highest-paid actress. Her total income over those years amounted to $54 million.
What is it that makes Blunt so successful? Some have argued that it is her versatility; she can easily play both dramatic and comedic roles. Others have pointed to her strong work ethic; she is known for being a very demanding performer.
5. Meryl Streep: $24 million
Meryl Streep has topped Forbes’ list of the highest-paid actresses for the fourth year. The actress earned an estimated $24 million between June 2019 and June 2020.
This year’s earnings are largely thanks to her work on the film “The Two Popes,” She portrays former Pope Benedict XVI. Streep has also been busy with other projects, including the TV series “Big Little Lies” and the upcoming film “Little Women.”
Interestingly, Streep’s earnings pale compared to those of some of Hollywood’s leading men. For example, Forbes reports that Robert Downey Jr. was the highest-paid actor in 2019, earning $66 million. So why do actresses continue to make less than their male counterparts? One reason is that they often take on less lucrative roles to pursue more creative endeavours.
4. Melissa McCarthy: $25 million
According to Forbes, Melissa McCarthy was the highest-paid actress in 2020. She has made an estimated $25 million this year. This is largely due to her work on the sitcom “Mike and Molly” and the movie “The Boss.” Other actresses include Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Reese Witherspoon. Johansson is in second place with an estimated $20 million, while Lawrence and Witherspoon are tied for third with $16 million each.
3. Gal Gadot: $31.5 million
According to Forbes, Gal Gadot was the highest-paid actress in 2020. She earned $31.5 million this year. This is largely due to her roles in Wonder Woman 1984 and Justice League. Other actresses on the list include Scarlett Johansson, who came in second with $25 million, and Jennifer Aniston, who came in third with $24 million.
2. Angelina Jolie: $35.5 million
Angelina Jolie is the world’s highest-paid actress, according to Forbes. The magazine estimates that she earned $35.5 million between June 2019 and June 2020. Jolie edged out Scarlett Johansson, who made an estimated $35 million in the same period.
In recent years, Jolie has starred in several successful films, including Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. She has also directed several films, including 2019’s drama film First They Killed My Father.
Jolie is not the only actress to make the list of highest-paid actresses this year. Other actresses on the list include Jennifer Lawrence ($26 million), Reese Witherspoon ($25 million), and Sofia Vergara ($24 million).
1. Sofia Vergara: $43 million
Sofia Vergara was the highest-paid actress in 2020. She made $43 million this year. This is mostly from her work on “Modern Family.” She has been on the show since 2009. Other actresses who made a lot of money this year include Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, and Jennifer Aniston.
Source: | Forbes | Getty Images
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