From millionaires to billionaires, celebrities are typically the culprits when it comes to high salaries. It shouldn’t surprise you that Tom Hanks’ decades-long career has projected him to heaping a nine-digit net worth or that Bono has come close to becoming a billionaire.
Still, these celebrities might be richer than you think. Musicians, athletes, actors, and producers alike, our list shows the entertainment industry’s biggest earners to-date.
Tom Hanks: $400 million
Tom Hanks, perhaps America’s all-time favorite actor, has fostered a successful career for over four decades. Over the years, he has massed a $400 million net worth by working on projects like You’ve Got Mail, Forrest Gump, Toy Story, and Catch Me If You Can.
And Hanks’ career is far from over. Later this year, he will star as Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s manager in Elvis. So we can expect to enjoy more of Hanks’ talent in the future, just like our next celebrity…
Jimmy Fallon: $60 million
Jimmy Fallon’s professional career began in 1998, when he was cast in Saturday Night Live (SNL). He worked on set for about six years, and then he began his acting career in movies like Fever Pitch
More recently, Fallon has starred on his very own nighttime show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Fallon’s net worth adds up to around $60 million, and his career continues to blossom.
Reese Witherspoon: $200 million
In more recent years, Reese Witherspoon has edged beyond her acting career to create her own production company, Type A Films, her own clothing line, Draper James, and her own multimedia company, Hello Sunshine. Her estimated net worth sits at a whopping $200 million, and it is rumored she is one of the highest paid actresses in the American film industry.
Her acting career began at a young age, when she starred in The Man in the Moon in 1991. Her most popular films include Election, Legally Blonde, Cruel Intentions, and Walk the Line. More recently, Witherspoon has delved into the TV world in both the production and acting realms, and has been a part of highly successful projects, including Big Little Lies and Little Fires Everywhere. Perhaps Witherspoon’s most notable career characteristic is her constant dedication in uplifting women’s voices, as well as creating space for women in the acting world.
Madonna: $590-800 million
Madonna, who began professionally creating music in the early 1980s, has amassed an estimated career net worth of $590-800 million. During her career, which is still active, she has sold over 300 million records, just to name one major achievement. Her musical accomplishments have topped those of numerous other artists, and she still remains popular, even four decades after the start of her career.
Tom Cruise: $600 million
Not surprisingly, Tom Cruise has led a financially successful career. At a $600 million estimated net worth, Cruise has appeared in numerous families, including Top Gun, Risky Business, Jerry Maguire, Rain Main, The Firm, The Outsiders, and in the Mission Impossible franchise. To say that Cruise is an American film icon is an understatement. Not only has he won multiple acting awards, but he continues to pursue projects that have entertained fans over decades and brought in lots of cash at the box office.
Keanu Reeves: $360 million
Keanu Reeves has had quite the life-and career. His assets amount to an estimated $360 million, with his main film projects including The Matrix, the John Wick franchise, and Point Break.
Reeves has made it his life mission to pursue other creative outlets, including the bass guitarist of rock band, Dogstar, and treat people with the utmost respect, especially after experiencing numerous losses throughout his life.
Kylie Jenner: $1 billion
Everyone knows of the Jenner’s. In 2019, the youngest, Kylie, was named the world’s youngest billionaire, at just 21 years old. To date, she has appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, started her own clothing line with her sister Kendall, and founded her own cosmetic company, Kylie Cosmetics. Jenner’s not stopping, either. She recently collaborated with Kendall to create a new cosmetics line. Who’s to say she won’t continue to create more?
Brad Pitt: $300 million
Brad Pitt has appeared in all kinds of films. From A River Runs Through It, to Fight Club, to the Ocean’s movies, Pitt has played pretty much every imaginable film role. And, he’s succeeded in it, bringing in a massive net worth of $300 million. He’s also produced several films and won Academy, Golden Globe, and Primetime Emmy awards.
Rhianna: $600 million
Most famously known for her singing, Rihanna is estimated to have a $600 million net worth. Her career as a singer began in the early 2000s when a record producer discovered her talent in Barbados, where she lived. It only took a short time for her singing to become popularized, with songs including “Umbrella,” “Take a Bow,” “SOS,” and “We Found Love” to name a few.
Rihanna went on to create her own fragrance and eventually her own fashion brand, Fenty, which compiles both fashion and makeup and can be found in major retail stores. She continues to record music, while also improving her fashion empire.
Oprah Winfrey: $2.6 billion
Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul. Her career began as a reporter in Nashville, but then she moved to Chicago to work as a morning reporter.
Oprah is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she interviewed celebrities and everyday people. She has also appeared in several films, including The Color Purple and A Wrinkle in Time, and written her own books. It’s no surprise she’s a billionaire!
Will Smith: $350 million
Will Smith has had a stunning acting, singing, and producing career, in which he has earned an estimated net worth of $350 million. Smith began his career as a rapper in the 1980s, closely followed by his role as Will in the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Throughout his acting career, he has appeared in films of all kinds, including The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Pounds, Hitch, and the Men in Black franchise. Smith continues to act and has upcoming film projects in the works.
Steven Spielberg: $3.6-6.18 billion
Perhaps one of the most well-known film directors and producers of all time, Steven Spielberg’s net worth totals an estimate of up to $6.18 billion. And that’s no surprise, as some of his most popular films include the classics E.T., Jaws, Jurassic Park, Catch Me If You Can, and the Indiana Jones movies.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen: $500 million combined
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have always been under the spotlight. They first appeared on screen when they were babies on the set of Full House. The twins’ success also stems from the multiple movies they’ve co-starred in (New York Minute, Our Lips Are Sealed, It Takes Two, just to name a few), their fashion line, and their overall loveability. Combined, the twins’ assets ammass to over $500 million.
George Clooney: $500 million
Another Hollywood favorite, George Clooney has also established an immensely successful acting career. At a net worth of $500 million, Clooney has acted in the Ocean’s movies, Michael Clayton and Batman & Robin and multiple TV shows, including ER. He has also directed countless films and won multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
Denzel Washington: $250 million
Denzel Washington is best known for portraying characters with deep empathy and notable strength and has rightfully earned a hefty $250 million net worth. His films include Remember the Titans, Malcolm X, Philadelphia, and The Pelican Brief, and he continues to act, direct, and produce films that are sure to touch the hearts of those who watch them.
Britney Spears: $60 million
At just eight years old, Britney Spears auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club, where her career would take off as one of the most popular and famous female pop stars of all time. Shortly after her stint on the Disney show, Spears went on to record her own music, with her first album, …Baby One More Time, releasing in 1999. The album’s success set her up for a lifetime of future musical wins.
Today, she has released a total of nine studio albums, appeared in six movies, led ten concert tours, and won countless awards for her music. Spears was dubbed one of the “best-selling music artists of all time” by BBC in 2017, as her worldwide record sales topped over 100 million.
Hilary Duff: $25 million
Almost everyone knows Hilary Duff from Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire. Beyond her Disney days, Duff has acted in films, like Cinderella Story and the Cheaper By the Dozen movies, released her own albums, and produced movies. Her estimated net worth sums up to $25 million, and Duff continues to work in the film industry, as well as pen her very own children’s book.
Matthew McConaughey: $140 million
Alright, alright, alright…Matthew McConaughey may not be the richest celebrity in Hollywood, but his earnings of around $140 million are nothing to be shy about. Projects such as Dallas Buyers Club, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Interstellar, and The Lincoln Lawyer are just some of the highlights of his career.
Emma Watson: $80 million
At a net worth of $60 million, Emma Watson has surely already had a successful acting career. Her best-know role to-date would be as Hermoine Grander in the Harry Potter films, though she has also appeared in countless other successful movies, including The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Women.
Watson has also delved into the fashion industry, where she has modeled for various magazines, including Elle and Teen Vogue, and major fashion brands, like Chanel. She has recently stated that she hopes to cross the red carpet less, especially as she continues to advocate for women’s rights.
Jay-Z: $1 billion
A rapper, record executive, and record producer, Jay-Z is notably one of the most successful musicians of all time. At a $1 billion net worth, Jay-Z has worked his way to the top of the music industry, starting in the 1990s when he sold his own CDs without a major record label to back him. Since then, Jay-Z has created his own albums and collaborated with countless musicians, including Kanye West, Timbaland, Eminem, and his wife, Beyonce. He has even created his own clothing, beverages, and record companies, to name a few.
Dolly Parton: $600 million
Born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Dolly Parton grew up to be one of the most accomplished country musicians of all time. Dolly has earned countless awards, including ten Grammys, three American Music Awards, and seven Academy of Country Music awards, just to name a few. She has been inducted into over fifteen different Halls of Fame and has earned Gold Record, Platinum Record, and Multi-Platinum Record certifications from the Record Industry Association for her music.
Aside from recording music, Dolly has also tried her hand at acting, with one of her most famous roles being in 9 to 5. Although Dolly’s cash flow is immense, her ego is not. She has turned down two Presidential Medals of Freedom and has promoted children literacy through her program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, since the 1980s, where members receive a book each month until they begin kindergarten.
Bono: $700 million
Bono, born Paul David Hewson, has been the lead singer of rock band U2 since 1976. Though he has tapped into non-musical ventures, Bono’s main success has come from the band. U2 has collaborated with artists from all backgrounds, such as Green Day, Tom Petty, and Jennifer Lopez, and they have toured the world, earning all kinds of awards, including 22 Grammys. It’s no surprise Bono’s earnings are so high.
Sofia Vergara: $180 million
Sofia Vergara, a Colombian-American actress and producer, has garnered a wealth of $180 million from her career thus far. She spent eleven years on the set of popular sitcom, Modern Family, which she was both nominated for and won several awards. She has also appeared in countless comedy films, including Hot Pursuit and The Emoji Movie.
Ryan Seacrest: $450 million
Ever wonder how much a TV host can earn? You might want to look to Ryan Seacrest, who’s one of the highest-earning television hosts ever.
Seacrest has hosted singing competition show, American Idol since 2002, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, multiple red carpet events, and most recently, Live with Kelly and Ryan. Seacrest also operates his own production company, Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP), through which he has produced the likes of Keeping Up with the Kardasians.
Seacrest isn’t the only TV personality on the list, though…
Tyra Banks: $90 million
In 2003, America’s Next Top Model premiered, and Tyra Banks became known as one of the fiercest judges on American television. Banks also has her own show, The Tyra Banks Show, and has ventured into acting roles, writing, and launching a cosmetics line when she is not modeling or working in TV.
Tina Fey: $75 million
If you’re in need of a good laugh, turn to Tina Fey’s realm of work. She’s shared her comedic talent on Saturday Night Live (SNL), 30 Rock, and popular movies, Mean Girls, Date Night, and Wine Country. Fey has also hosted the Golden Globe Awards alongside Amy Poehler and frequently guest stars in other comedies, like Difficult People.
Her ability to accurately portray political figures, like Sarah Palin, and turn a movie success into a Broadway musical (think: Mean Girls) has earned her a whopping $75 million throughout her acting career.
Neil Patrick Harris: $50 million
Like most well-known actors, Neil Patrick Harris has broadened his acting career-and his earnings-through writing, singing, and even producing. How I Met Your Mother, the seven-season sitcom, where Harris plays Barney Stinson, arguably made him stand out among other comedians in Hollywood. Harris is not one to pass up other genres, though, as his role in Gone Girl was dark, and he has also worked on Broadway.
Serena Williams: $210 million
At a net worth of $210 million, Serena Williams is perhaps the most successful female professional tennis player in the world. She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 in doubles, with her sister, Venus Williams, and two in mixed doubles. She has played in the Olympics, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open and has been endorsed by multiple mega-brands, including Nike, Gatorade, Delta Air Lines, Pepsi, Chase Bank, and Beats by Dre.
John Legend: $75 million
With seven studio albums under his belt, John Legend continues to successfully write, record, and produce music when he’s not judging on The Voice or working on a movie set.
Legend’s talent has earned him a hefty $75 million net worth and a handful of awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his 2014 hit, “Glory,” 11 Grammys, a Tony Award, and both a Daytime and Primetime Emmy.
Awkwafina: $4 million
Awkwafina, born Nora Lum, is a rapper, author, and actress who has appeared in Storks, Jumanji: The Next Level, and Crazy Rich Asians. She has released two studio albums and won a Golden Globe award for her role in The Farewell, totaling her assets to an estimated $4 million.
Lionel Messi: $400 million
One of the most successful professional football players of his time, Lionel Messi has piled up a net worth of $400 million. He is captain for both FC Barcelona, with which he’s won 34 titles, and the Argentina national football team.
Steve Madden: $300 million
Steve Madden founded his fashion company, Steve Madden, Ltd. in 1990 with just $1,100. Madden sold shoes he made out of his car. Today, Steve Madden is a household name, and the fashion line has expanded into multiple brands, including Steven by Steve Madden, Madden Girl, Report, and Betsey Johnson. The brand’s clothing and shoes are known for their comfortability and timeless style.
Luke Bryan: $140 million
At an estimated net worth of $140, Luke Bryan has surely already had a successful career as a country musician. Bryan currently judges contestants on American Idol and continues to record music. He has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and won multiple awards, including multiple American Country Awards.
Tory Burch: $850 million
Fashion designer, Tory Burch, is estimated to have a cash flow of $850 million. She launched her fashion line in 2004 and has since expanded her high-end merchandise to over 3,000 stores across the world. Notably, in 2014 Burch launched Elizabeth Street capital, an initiative under the Tory Burch Foundation that mentors female entrepreneurs and guides them to affordable loans.
Lady Gaga: $320 million
Lady Gaga, a pop icon of the twenty-first century, draws her claim to fame from singing, songwriting, producing records, and even acting. Her now $320-million career set off in the professional world in 2008, when she released her first album, The Fame, from which hits like “Just Dance” and “Paparazzi” drew fans’ attention to her ever-growing musical success.
To-date, Gaga has released six studio albums, won 11 Grammys, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and advocated for youth and LGBTQ+ rights with her Born This Way Foundation (BTWF). She has sold over 124 million albums worldwide and was named the eighth top digital singles artist by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Laverne Cox: $4 million
Laverne Cox is an actress best known for her roles in Orange Is the New Black, Glam Masters, and most recently, Promising Young Woman.
Cox was the first openly transgender person to appear on the covers of Time magazine and Cosmopolitan magazine. She is an LGBTQ+ advocate and raises trans rights’ awareness through her collaborations with various organizations and celebrities, including the Human Rights Campaign, Taylor Swift, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Carrie Underwood: $200 million
After winning season four of American Idol, Carrie Underwood went on to release eight studio albums to-date. Notably, Underwood has won dozens of awards, including eleven Billboard Music Awards, seven Grammys, and fifteen Academy of Country Music Awards. She has released her own athletic clothing line, appeared on TV, including on How I Met Your Mother, and has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Underwood’s estimated monetary worth of $200 million is no surprise, as her record sales have topped 70 million worldwide.
Matt Damon: $170 million
Good Will Hunting, The Departed, and The Bourne Identity are just three of Matt Damon’s most compelling acting projects. Damon, who has also appeared in the Ocean’s trilogy and 90s drama, Saving Private Ryan, has made a career of acting, producing, and screenwriting to sum a net worth of around $170 million. Damon’s films have earned him the title of one of the most “bankable stars” form Forbes and won him an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards.
Zendaya: $15 million
At only 24 years old, Zendaya’s estimated net worth totals $15 million. Her first major on-screen appearance was on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up. Her roles in The Greatest Showman and HBO’s Euphoria are two examples that fully display her acting talents. She will produce the upcoming project, A White Lie.
John Krasinski: $80 million
John Krasinksi’s acting career kicked off with his role as Jim Halpert in the sitcom, The Office. Since then, Kraskinski has starred in the Jack Ryan series, It’s Complicated, License to Wed, and A Quiet Place, alongside his wife and actress, Emily Blunt. Krasinski is known for his dry sense of humor and his ability to incorporate other human emotions in his acting projects. At an estimated net worth of $80 million, Krasinski continues to act, write, direct, and produce films.
