10 highest-paid actors of 2022, ranked: from Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick millions and Will Smith’s pre-Oscars pay cheque, to Brad Pitt’s F1 film and Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker 2 with Lady Gaga

Dec 4 , 2022

Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Chris Hemsworth all made millions in 2022 from film gigs, but who made the most? Photos: AFP; @leonardodicaprio, @chrishemsworth/Instagram; Getty Images

Marvel’s Tom Hardy and Chris Hemsworth made US$20 million from Venom 3 and Extraction 2 respectively, while Vin Diesel’s 11th Fast and Furious also raked in serious dollars

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s superhero debut with Black Adam saw a hefty pay cheque, as did Brad Pitt, who will star in an F1 film with Lewis Hamilton for US$30 million

Everyone knows that Hollywood movie stars make some of the world’s biggest pay cheques. But not all actors show the same standard of talent and some can make much more than others when factoring in pulling power.

This year has been a lucrative one for showbiz veterans like Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt with new films, while Joaquin Phoenix’s critically-acclaimed role in the Joker (2019) has given him a financial booster for the film’s upcoming sequel.

So, as we near year-end, which actor got paid the biggest bucks in 2022, based on Variety’s estimations?

10. Joaquin Phoenix – US$20 million

Starring in Joker 2

Joaquin Phoenix poses at the premiere of Joker at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in September 2019. Photo: Reuters

The 48-year-old American actor was signed by Warner Bros to play the dark and tortured character of Arthur Fleck, aka DC Comics’ Joker villain.

Joaquin Phoenix in the film Joker, a heartfelt reinterpretation of Joker. Photo: TNS

Variety reported that he was paid US$4.5 million for the 2019 film, but he’s since proven his worth as it went on to earn over US$1 billion at the box office, accounting for his new US$20 million pay cheque for the Joker 2, which he’ll star in alongside Lady Gaga.

9. Tom Hardy – US$20 million

Starring in Venom 3

Tom Hardy is a British actor famous for starring in Guy Ritchie’s films. Photo: @tom.hardy.legacy/Instagram

Known for his early roles in films like RocknRolla (2008) and Inception (2010), Hardy hit the money jackpot when he landed the lead gig for Marvel’s Venom franchise. The British actor, 45, reportedly made US$20 million for re-signing the Disney-produced character for its upcoming third movie.

8. Vin Diesel – US$20 million

Starring in Fast X

Vin Diesel also earns millions with the Fast and Furious franchise. Photo: @vindiesel/Instagram

Fast and Furious fans will be delighted to know that the action mega franchise is making yet another film (the 11th one), with Vin Diesel raking in US$20 million for his reprised role.