Highest-grossing actors over the age of 50

Maria Moratti // Getty Images There appears to be a long-standing belief in Hollywood that once an actor reaches a certain age, they’re no longer employable. Maturity and experience, the industry holds, simply can’t beat the visual delight that is a young, wrinkle-free star leading a project. Those outside this industry, of course, don’t necessarily agree with the insider’s evaluation of what audiences want to see on screen. For one, moviegoers recognize that many actors who are well into and past their 50s still have plenty to offer in the roles that are being written and are in no way close to being washed up. Additionally, there’s something about everyone having the chance to see members of their own age groups having all kinds of on-screen adventures–a reminder that there is still plenty of life to be lived even as middle age and seniority approach. Stacker compiled December 2022 data from The Numbers to rank the top 50 above-the-line actors older than 50 years old according to total domestic box office earnings. This list includes actors who have continued to have massive success even after hitting 50, proving the “older actors are unemployable and undesirable” trope wrong. Each of the individuals on this list continued to achieve acclaim and financial success well after crossing the half-century mark. For them, age truly is just a number: They have defied the odds by managing to remain in an industry that values youthfulness above all, prospering well into midlife and beyond. While the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Cruise may seem like obvious inclusions for this list, some others may surprise you. For instance, there is an actor here who is less recognized by his face and more known for the CGI characters he inhabits through motion capture work. Another actor has passed his legacy and his talent on to his kids, some of whom have successful acting careers of their own. Still, another talented, theatrically trained star became famous for playing an android in one of the highest-grossing film franchises in history. Can you guess who’s on this list of Hollywood’s elite? Read on to find out which of your favorite over-50 stars are among the top earners in the film industry. You may also like: 30 stars who hit their stride late in life #50. Hugh Jackman Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage // Getty Images – Age: 54 – Domestic box office: $2.65 billion – Average per movie: $73.7 million Australian actor Hugh Jackman landed his breakthrough role, Wolverine in “X-Men,” back in 2000. It’s that role, which he says his wife didn’t even want him to take, that’s earned him the bulk of his fortune. But fighting villains isn’t the only thing Jackman excels at. He’s also had notable turns in films like “Les Misérables,” “Prisoners,” “The Prestige,” and on Broadway in shows like “The Music Man.” #49. Jeff Goldblum MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP // Getty Images – Age: 70 – Domestic box office: $2.7 billion – Average per movie: $87.2 million Jeff Goldblum has a knack for choosing films that perform incredibly well at the box office, like “Jurassic Park” and “Independence Day.” Since his debut in 1974, he’s acted in more than 70 films, and while they haven’t all been blockbusters, plenty of them have been. His partnerships with Wes Anderson and the Marvel universe have helped to revive his career in recent years. #48. Alan Tudyk Corey Nickols/Getty Images for IMDb // Getty Images – Age: 51 – Domestic box office: $2.72 billion – Average per movie: $129.5 million Alan Tudyk has proven that you don’t always need to land leading roles to have a successful career in Hollywood. In fact, the Texas native has had almost exclusively supporting roles in both movies and TV shows (you likely recognize him primarily from his work in “Firefly” and its follow-up “Serenity). Interestingly, Tudyk has had a voice role in every animated Disney film of the last decade, beginning with “Wreck it Ralph” in 2012 up through the 2022-released “Strange World.” #47. Eddie Murphy Emma McIntyre // Getty Images – Age: 61 – Domestic box office: $2.74 billion – Average per movie: $97.8 million From a waffle-loving Donkey in “Shrek” to an academic with obesity in “The Nutty Professor,” Eddie Murphy’s characters are usually wacky and over-the-top. But that’s not always the case–Murphy’s serious side can be seen in films like “Dreamgirls,” and he has expressed interest in taking on more dramatic roles. #46. Jamie Foxx Romain Maurice/Getty Images for Haute Living // Getty Images – Age: 55 – Domestic box office: $2.75 billion – Average per movie: $72.4 million Jamie Foxx gave one of the most memorable film performances back in 2004 when he won the Oscar, along with several industry and critics awards, for his portrayal of blind blues musician Ray Charles in “Ray.” Since then, he’s had a number of serious roles, in movies like “Django Unchained” and “Dreamgirls,” seemingly preferring to save his comedic efforts for television, where he’s done series like “In Living Color” and “The Jamie Foxx Show.” You may also like: Celebrity stage names vs. their real names #45. Adam Sandler Phillip Faraone // Getty Images – Age: 56 – Domestic box office: $2.75 billion – Average per movie: $64 million Funnyman Adam Sandler got his start on “Saturday Night Live” back in the early ’90s and has kept audiences in stitches ever since. Some of his more memorable projects have included films like “Billy Madison,” “Big Daddy,” “The Wedding Singer,” and “Grown Ups.” In more recent years, he’s also showcased his talents through more serious roles in films like “Uncut Gems” and “Hustle.”   #44. Stellan Skarsgård FREDERIC J. BROWN // Getty Images – Age: 71 – Domestic box office: $2.75 billion – Average per movie: $65.6 million The actor’s start came as a teen on the Swedish television series “Bombi Bitt och jag,” playing the titular character. Skarsgård has had a steady career ever since, and has acted in everything from award-winning TV series like “Chernobyl” to popular films such as Marvel’s “The Avengers.” Several of the eight Skarsgård offspring have followed in their father’s footsteps and become successful actors, including Alexander and Bill Skarsgård. #43. Helena Bonham Carter Leon Bennett // Getty Images – Age: 56 – Domestic box office: $2.77 billion – Average per movie: $72.8 million Best known for her roles in “Sweeney Todd” and the “Harry Potter” franchise, Helena Bonham Carter has achieved success in both television and film, and is known not only for her acting skills but for her distinguished family tree. With recent roles in the Netflix series “The Crown” and the original Netflix film “Enola Holmes,” Bonham Carter continues to remain active in the industry. She has appeared in several Tim Burton films, and the two were partners for 13 years and have two children together. #42. Hugo Weaving Pascal Le Segretain // Getty Images – Age: 62 – Domestic box office: $2.79 billion – Average per movie: $111.6 million Known for his roles as Elrond in “The Lord of the Rings” films and as Agent Smith in “The Matrix,” Hugo Weaving is also an accomplished voice actor. He was the voice of Megatron in several “Transformers” films and Noah the Elder in both “Happy Feet” and “Happy Feet Two.” #41. Michael Caine Amanda Edwards // Getty Images – Age: 89 – Domestic box office: $2.79 billion – Average per movie: $63.5 million London-born Michael Caine was originally known as Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, but he changed his name for his career. Caine got his start in theater, though he eventually transitioned to film. Some of his most memorable films include “Alfie,” “Educating Rita,” and “The Cider House Rules.” You may also like: America’s 50 favorite actors who are men #40. Josh Brolin Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Amazon Studios // Getty Images – Age: 54 – Domestic box office: $2.84 billion – Average per movie: $97.8 million Josh Brolin is the sort of multifaceted actor many up-and-comers wish they could be. He’s done everything from serious dramas like “No Country for Old Men” to sci-fi comedies like “Men in Black 3.” He’s probably best known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as supervillain Thanos. #39. Jeremy Renner Jesse Grant // Getty Images – Age: 52 – Domestic box office: $2.92 billion – Average per movie: $132.7 million Jeremy Renner played master archer Hawkeye in several Marvel films and portrayed the character in the 2021 television series, “Hawkeye.” His acting career began in the mid-1990s, though his breakthrough role came with the 2008 Oscar-winning film “The Hurt Locker.” The actor received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Staff Sergeant William James. #38. Brad Pitt Jacopo Raule // Getty Images – Age: 59 – Domestic box office: $2.92 billion – Average per movie: $62.2 million Brad Pitt is commonly cited as one of the most influential actors in Hollywood. He first gained recognition for his role in “Thelma & Louise” and has appeared in dozens of iconic and award-winning films in the years since–think “Fight Club,” “Legends of the Fall,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Pitt is equally as well-known for his off-screen life–his tumultuous relationships with actresses Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, his humanitarian efforts, and his successful production company, Plan B Entertainment–as he is for his on-screen characters. #37. Paul Rudd Christopher Polk // Getty Images – Age: 53 – Domestic box office: $2.93 billion – Average per movie: $83.8 million An everyman if there ever was one, Paul Rudd rose to fame in 1995 when he played Alicia Silverstone’s love interest in the Amy Heckerling film “Clueless.” He is also well known for his role as Phoebe Buffay’s love interest and third husband, Mike Hannigan, in “Friends.” Rudd has played superhero Ant-Man in several Marvel films. #36. Anthony Daniels Frazer Harrison // Getty Images – Age: 76 – Domestic box office: $2.94 billion – Average per movie: $420.4 million Originally a theater actor, Anthony Daniels met George Lucas and was cast as protocol droid C-3PO in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (the first film in the series). He wore both the droid suit and provided C-3PO’s voice, and has done so in almost all of the episodic films. Though playing the role of the legendary droid has provided both career and financial stability, it was one that Daniels did not originally want. You may also like: First jobs of now famous actresses #35. Gwyneth Paltrow Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic // Getty Images – Age: 50 – Domestic box office: $2.95 billion – Average per movie: $147.4 million In the ’90s and early 2000s, Gwyneth Paltrow starred in what felt like everything–“Emma,” “Shakespeare in Love,” “Se7en,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley”; the list could go on and on. Then, in 2004, she suddenly announced she’d be taking a step back from acting to focus on other projects, but eventually starred as Pepper Potts in the “Iron Man” movies. Today, she’s best known for her lifestyle brand Goop. #34. Bruce Willis Rich Fury // Getty Images – Age: 67 – Domestic box office: $2.96 billion – Average per movie: $37 million Bruce Willis has portrayed John McClane in the “Die Hard” franchise since 1988, but Willis’ talents are not limited to action sequences. He has received praise for roles like Butch Coolidge in “Pulp Fiction” and Malcolm Crowe in “The Sixth Sense.” #33. Mark Wahlberg Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic // Getty Images – Age: 51 – Domestic box office: $2.98 billion – Average per movie: $64.7 million Mark Wahlberg may have gotten his start as the lead singer/rapper in the musical group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, but these days he’s better known as an action movie star and Calvin Klein underwear model. His biggest projects include movies like “Ted,” “The Departed,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “The Perfect Storm,” and “Planet of the Apes.” #32. Cameron Diaz VALERIE MACON/AFP // Getty Images – Age: 50 – Domestic box office: $2.99 billion – Average per movie: $106.8 million A rom-com queen through and through, Cameron Diaz has appeared in several of the genre’s classics: “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “The Holiday,” and “There’s Something About Mary.” In 2014, Diaz announced she was retiring from acting and began focusing on her line of health and wellness-related products. However, in 2022 she broke the internet when it was revealed she’d be returning to the screen once again alongside Jamie Foxx in the forthcoming film “Back in Action.” #31. Liam Neeson Carlos Alvarez // Getty Images – Age: 70 – Domestic box office: $3.01 billion – Average per movie: $51.9 million Liam Neeson has made a career out of tough-guy action roles in films like “Taken” and “The Commuter,” but his acting abilities go far beyond that genre. Neeson was Oscar-nominated for his role in “Schindler’s List,” and also portrayed Alfred Kinsey in the 2004 film “Kinsey.” You may also like: The richest rock stars #30. Ian McKellen Target Presse Agentur Gmbh // Getty Images – Age: 83 – Domestic box office: $3.02 billion – Average per movie: $158.7 million Ian McKellen was officially knighted in 1991, although he has since confessed he almost turned the honor down. His career has run the gamut of genres, from blockbuster franchises like “X-Men” and “The Lord of the Rings” to the film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Cats.” However, McKellen’s true passion seems to live on the stage, and his commitment to the theatre is so great that an injury didn’t stop him from giving his “King Lear” audience a little special something. #29. Ralph Fiennes Araya Doheny // Getty Images – Age: 60 – Domestic box office: $3.02 billion – Average per movie: $79.4 million A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Ralph Fiennes got his start in the Royal Shakespeare Company. Since making the transition to Hollywood, he’s primarily stuck with the dramatic projects he trained for, working in award-winning films like “Schindler’s List” and “The End of the Affair.” However, his career hasn’t been all serious business; in the last couple of decades, he’s branched out into roles in more commercial films like “The Lego Movie” and the “Harry Potter” franchise. #28. Robert De Niro Kevin Winter // Getty Images – Age: 79 – Domestic box office: $3.04 billion – Average per movie: $44 million Robert De Niro has done it all: He’s played imposing fathers, psychotic ex-cons, and even a 70-year-old intern. His work has earned him seven acting nominations at the Academy Awards (two of which he won), and now approaching his 80s, the Hollywood legend has shown no signs of slowing down. #27. J.K. Simmons Roy Rochlin // Getty Images – Age: 67 – Domestic box office: $3.06 billion – Average per movie: $61.2 million This Oscar-winning character actor originally planned to become a singer, but fate intervened. He wound up on Broadway in the early ’90s and eventually made his way to television and film. Simmons is known for his frequent work with film directors Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man”) and Jason Reitman (“Juno”). #26. Dave Bautista ISABEL INFANTES/AFP // Getty Images – Age: 53 – Domestic box office: $3.11 billion – Average per movie: $119.5 million A former professional wrestler, Dave Bautista only recently made the jump to Hollywood. His biggest roles to date have been Drax the Destroyer in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and Duke Cody in “Glass Onion.” You may also like: Most famous actor born the same year as you #25. Gary Oldman Jeff Kravitz // Getty Images – Age: 64 – Domestic box office: $3.11 billion – Average per movie: $86.5 million Known more as a character actor than a box office star, Gary Oldman has also acted in several blockbuster films. He played Sirius Black in four of the “Harry Potter” films and Commissioner Gordon in the “Dark Knight” trilogy. Oldman also starred in films such as “Sid and Nancy,” “True Romance,” and “Darkest Hour,” winning an Oscar for portraying Winston Churchill in the latter. #24. Matt Damon Michael Hickey // Getty Images – Age: 52 – Domestic box office: $3.14 billion – Average per movie: $65.4 million Matt Damon was only 18 when he played opposite Julia Roberts in his first film, “Mystic Pizza.” His big break would come several years later in 1997 with “Good Will Hunting,” which would garner Damon and his friend Ben Affleck the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. He and Affleck shared a screenwriting credit once again for the 2021 film “The Last Duel,” directed by Ridley Scott. #23. Steve Carell Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage // Getty Images – Age: 60 – Domestic box office: $3.19 billion – Average per movie: $102.9 million A comedy genius, Steve Carell will likely always be best recognized as bumbling manager Michael Scott from “The Office.” Outside of the long-running NBC series, he’s appeared in films like “Anchorman” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and lent his voice to animated projects like “Despicable Me” and “Horton Hears a Who!” In the last several years, Carell has also dipped his toe in more serious waters, acting in projects like “Beautiful Boy,” “The Big Short,” and turning in an Oscar-nominated performance in “Foxcatcher.” #22. Mark Hamill Michael Kovac // Getty Images – Age: 71 – Domestic box office: $3.19 billion – Average per movie: $199.4 million In his multi-decade acting career, Mark Hamill is best known for a single role: Luke Skywalker. His work as the famous Jedi was put on hold for three decades until he reappeared again in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Hamill has admitted he was “really scared” to reprise the role, but overcame his fear and has continued to act in the “Star Wars” universe. #21. Mark Ruffalo Emma McIntyre // Getty Images – Age: 55 – Domestic box office: $3.2 billion – Average per movie: $114.2 million How many actors are capable of playing both a romantic lead and a giant, angry, green superhero? There’s no hard data on that, but Mark Ruffalo would certainly qualify. Ruffalo has acted in films like “13 Going on 30,” “Spotlight,” and “The Kids Are All Right,” and is a central member of the “Avengers” crew as the Hulk. You may also like: Biggest box office stars since 1980 #20. Owen Wilson Jason LaVeris// Getty Images – Age: 54 – Domestic box office: $3.23 billion – Average per movie: $71.7 million Owen Wilson and director Wes Anderson met at the University of Texas, Austin, as sophomores, and they created a short film that launched both their careers. He and Anderson also co-wrote several films together. A member of the “Frat Pack,” Wilson received an Oscar nomination for “The Royal Tenenbaums,” though it was for writing, not acting. #19. Benedict Wong Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic // Getty Images – Age: 51 – Domestic box office: $3.33 billion – Average per movie: $255.8 million British-born Benedict Wong has appeared in dozens of projects but is best known for three specific roles–Kublai Kahn in the series “Marco Polo,” Bruce Ng in the film “The Martian,” and Wong in the MCU hit “Doctor Strange.” Fans can look for him in the Netflix adaptation of the classic sci-fi novel “The Three-Body Problem” set for release sometime in 2023. #18. Willem Dafoe VALERY HACHE // Getty Images – Age: 67 – Domestic box office: $3.34 billion – Average per movie: $63.1 million This versatile actor has worked with some of the greatest directors in the industry, including Oliver Stone, Spike Lee, Kathryn Bigelow, Guillermo del Toro, and Martin Scorsese. Willem Dafoe played a heroic musher in “Togo,” a death god in “Death Note,” an elite assassin in “John Wick,” and Jesus in “The Last Temptation of Christ” in a career that spans four decades. #17. Paul Bettany Bruce Glikas // Getty Images – Age: 51 – Domestic box office: $3.4 billion – Average per movie: $147.9 million Paul Bettany rose to fame in a series of early 2000s classics, “A Knight’s Tale,” “A Beautiful Mind,” and “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” Like many other actors on this list, Bettany has a role in the MCU (as JARVIS and Vision) and has appeared in several of the franchise’s properties, from “Iron Man” to “WandaVision.” #16. Cate Blanchett Stephane Cardinale – Corbis // Getty Images – Age: 53 – Domestic box office: $3.5 billion – Average per movie: $87.5 million This Australian actress graduated from Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art and began her career with the Sydney Theatre Company. Her breakthrough role came with her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 film “Elizebeth” for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. Since then, she has appeared in blockbusters like “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and in the MCU in “Thor: Ragnarok,” along with more award winners like “Blue Jasmine” and “Tár.” Blanchett made her Broadway debut in “The Present” in 2017. You may also like: Highest-grossing actors under the age of 30 #15. Woody Harrelson Frazer Harrison // Getty Images – Age: 61 – Domestic box office: $3.5 billion – Average per movie: $66.1 million The popular 1980s sitcom “Cheers” placed Woody Harrelson in front of a large audience who fell in love with his character, the slow-witted but endearing bartender Woody Boyd. He went on to act in several memorable films like “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Natural Born Killers,” and “The People vs. Larry Flynt.” He is also a very vocal marijuana activist. #14. Johnny Depp Tristan Fewings // Getty Images – Age: 59 – Domestic box office: $3.81 billion – Average per movie: $66.8 million Johnny Depp has a knack for playing wild-haired leading men, from the dreadlocked Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean” to the aptly named Edward Scissorhands. Even the demon barber of Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd, rocks an impressive silver streak. Some of Depp’s earlier and well-known films include “Ed Wood” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” #13. Idris Elba Pascal Le Segretain // Getty Images – Age: 50 – Domestic box office: $3.83 billion – Average per movie: $100.9 million Idris Elba’s big break came in 2002 when he was cast in “The Wire.” Since then he’s starred in a ton of award-winning films and TV series including “Luther,” “Beasts of No Nation,” and several MCU properties. Off-screen, Elba performs as a DJ and hip-hop artist under the names DJ Big Driis and Idris. #12. Will Smith Kevin Winter// Getty Images – Age: 54 – Domestic box office: $3.92 billion – Average per movie: $105.9 million Will Smith has come a long way since his early days in the industry as a rapper and sitcom star. Smith ranked eighth on Forbes’ highest-paid actors of 2020 list, with an estimated $44.5 million. He has proven his worth not only as a comedic actor but as a dramatic one as well, garnering three Best Actor Oscar nominations–including a win for 2021’s “King Richard.” #11. Stanley Tucci Slaven Vlasic // Getty Images – Age: 62 – Domestic box office: $3.95 billion – Average per movie: $76 million Stanley Tucci made his Broadway debut in 1982 as a soldier in “The Queen and the Rebels.” He received his first and only Oscar nomination for his role as a child murderer in the 2009 film “The Lovely Bones.” Both a successful television and film actor, Tucci also has several directorial credits to his name, including the 2017 film, “Final Portrait.” You may also like: 50 first jobs of famous actors #10. Vin Diesel Greg Doherty // Getty Images – Age: 55 – Domestic box office: $4.06 billion – Average per movie: $135.3 million When he’s not busy feuding with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Vin Diesel is making movies that make big bucks. He’s the voice of Groot in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and plays Dominic Toretto in multiple “Fast & Furious” chapters. The latter role will be reprised fairly soon: The 10th installment of the franchise is due for release in 2023. #9. Don Cheadle Amy Sussman // Getty Images – Age: 58 – Domestic box office: $4.08 billion – Average per movie: $151.2 million Younger generations may best know Don Cheadle from his work in the “Avengers” franchise, but his time as James Rhodes, aka War Machine, is preceded by a lengthy film career. Cheadle’s other film credits include his Oscar-nominated turn in “Hotel Rwanda,” plus roles in “The Guard,” “Crash,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” and “White Noise.” #8. Dwayne Johnson Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage // Getty Images – Age: 50 – Domestic box office: $4.13 billion – Average per movie: $114.6 million Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson rose to fame as one of the most charismatic wrestlers in the WWF. He began acting in family films and action capers in the early 2000s, and has appeared in some truly memorable features like “Moana,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Black Adam,” and the “Fast & Furious” movies. In 2021, he premiered his autobiographical comedy series “Young Rock” and purchased the American football league XFL. #7. Tom Cruise Emmanuel Wong // Getty Images – Age: 60 – Domestic box office: $4.48 billion – Average per movie: $109.2 million Likely due to his immense salaries for films like “Mission Impossible: Fallout,” Tom Cruise has reportedly amassed a net worth of more than half a billion dollars over the years. Now entering his 60s, Cruise still performs his own stunts and stars in films that are both high grossing and critically well-received–including 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” which grossed more than $1.48 billion worldwide. #6. Harrison Ford Axelle/Bauer-Griffin // Getty Images – Age: 80 – Domestic box office: $4.78 billion – Average per movie: $129.2 million Harrison Ford is not just an incredibly successful and established actor, he’s also the man behind two of the most memorable film characters of all time: Indiana Jones and Han Solo. Outside of those two mega-franchises, Ford is still a force to be reckoned with, starring in movies like “The Fugitive” and “Witness.” Han Solo’s jacket, which had a presale estimated price of up to $1.3 million, was up for auction in 2018. You may also like: 25 transgender celebrities who broke barriers #5. Morgan Freeman Kevin Winter // Getty Images – Age: 85 – Domestic box office: $4.79 billion – Average per movie: $81.3 million Have you ever wished that Morgan Freeman could narrate your life? The vocally gifted actor is known for his work in “Se7en,” “Invictus,” and “The Shawshank Redemption,” winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2004’s “Million Dollar Baby.” Long before his film career took off, he made his Broadway debut in “Hello, Dolly!” in the late 1960s, which starred an all-Black cast. #4. Tom Hanks Kevin Winter // Getty Images – Age: 66 – Domestic box office: $4.88 billion – Average per movie: $82.6 million One of America’s enduringly nice guys, two-time Oscar-winner Tom Hanks has won hearts in films like “Big,” “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Cast Away,” and “Captain Phillips.” He is also the voice of the much-loved character Woody in the “Toy Story” film and its sequels. His endearing personality also made him the most suitable choice to play Fred Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” #3. Robert Downey Jr. Alberto E. Rodriguez // Getty Images – Age: 57 – Domestic box office: $4.91 billion – Average per movie: $90.8 million After time in rehab and a hiatus from acting, Robert Downey Jr. returned with a vengeance–turning a “B-list Marvel character into the most bankable superhero in Hollywood.” The success of “Iron Man” was followed by roles in “Sherlock Holmes” and “Tropic Thunder,” and Downey has continued to pull in not-too-shabby paychecks for all his work in the “Avengers” universe. He will be seen in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” in 2023. #2. Andy Serkis Mike Coppola // Getty Images – Age: 58 – Domestic box office: $5.41 billion – Average per movie: $225.6 million Known for his motion-capture performances, Andy Serkis has voiced many computer-generated characters, including Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”; Caesar in the “Planet of the Apes” triology; and Kong in Peter Jackson’s “King Kong.” He is also a successful director and author, and has appeared in comic book film adaptations like “Black Panther” and “The Batman.” #1. Samuel L. Jackson Frazer Harrison // Getty Images – Age: 74 – Domestic box office: $6.87 billion – Average per movie: $88.1 million Known for his quotable lines in films like “Pulp Fiction,” Samuel L. Jackson comes in with one of the highest counts of leading roles, and in turn, one of the highest total box office earnings. Frequently collaborating with Quentin Tarantino in films like “The Hateful Eight” and “Django Unchained,” Jackson’s other memorable movies include “A Time to Kill,” “The Incredibles,” and “Unbreakable,” plus appearances in several MCU films as Nick Fury. You may also like: Popular child stars from the year you were born