Will Smith and Johnny Depp top Forbes survey of the best-paid actors in Hollywood

According to Forbes Magazine, which is preoccupied with paychecks, Will Smith was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood last year, earning $80 million for the year beginning June 1, 2007 and ending June 1, 2008; during this time, Smith’s box-office hit I AM LEGEND was released, and he filmed HANCOCK. In second place was Johnny Depp with a reported $72 million, fueled by PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END and SWEENEY TODD, and the filming of PUBLIC ENEMIES. Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers claimed the 3rd-biggest paychecks; the SHREK THE THIRD co-stars each took home $55 million. Rounding out the list of the top five best-paid male actors was Leonardo DiCaprio with $45 million.

Female actors face a pay gap, as the top male stars outearn them by a considerable margin. The highest-paid actress last year was Cameron Diaz, who made $50 million; she is followed by Keira Knightley ($32 million), Jennifer Aniston ($27 million), and Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow, tied with $25 million each.

The Zone thanks Jasper for the news. You can read more on the results of the Forbes survey HERE. –Part-Time Poet