10 Best Paid Hollywood Actors and Actresses ...

By Katie

We all know that famous actors and actresses in Hollywood make an absolute fortune for each movie they make. But do you really know how much that is? It's just crazy to think that one person gets paid this much cash to make a movie! Ready?

1 Will Smith - $80 Million in 2008 ...

Will Smith - $80 Million in 2008 ...** Earn for 1 movie:** $20 million

** Most Expensive Role:** I Am Legend

My Comment: Will may be paid a literal fortune for each movie he makes, but he does earn his keep. His movies keep bringing in the sales, and he's shown he can do both comedy as well as serious acting roles. I've loved him since Independence Day. I didn't see I Am Legend, but its definitely on my must-see list.

2 Johnny Depp - $72 Million in 2008 ...

Johnny Depp - $72 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $56 million

** Most Expensive Role:** Pirates of the Caribbean 4

**My Comment: **Johnny Depp is an unlikely big money star because he's so unique... he just doesn't fit the "big Hollywood actor" mold. The crowds love him, though, so he's paid highly to be in films. Also, Johnny knows when to play it hard to get, and that gets him the cash. Last year, he made $72 million from his starring roles.

3 Eddie Murphy - $55 Million in 2008 ...

Eddie Murphy - $55 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $20 million

** Most Expensive Role:** Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

My Comment: Love him or hate him, Eddie brings crowds to the theaters. I think it was so sad that he didn't win the Oscar for Dreamgirls just because the judges held his comedy Norbit against him. He was just amazing in Dreamgirls, and most of his movies- especially his early stuff- are just too funny.

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4 Mike Myers - Also $55 Million in 2008 ...

Mike Myers - Also $55 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $50 million

** Most Expensive Role:** Shrek Goes Fourth (currently filming)

My Comment: I'm surprised that Mike Myers made as much as he did in 2008- his Love Guru was a total flop. But, don't forget that he does the voice of Shrek, and that franchise is a giant. Shrek the Third alone made him almost all of that $55 million.

5 Cameron Diaz - $50 Million in 2008 ...

Cameron Diaz - $50 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $20 million

** Most Expensive Role: **Shrek Goes Fourth (currently filming)

**My Comment: **Cameron is the top-ranking woman in this list for 2008, and the only movie she released in 2008 was What Happened in Vegas with Ashton Kutcher. Her big bucks, like Mike Myers, came in from the Shrek franchise.

5 Leonardo DiCaprio - $45 Million in 2008 ...

Leonardo DiCaprio - $45 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $20 million

** Most Expensive Role: **He makes $20 million for almost every movie he's in, including Blood Diamond, The Departed, Revolutionary Road...

**My Comment: **I'll admit - I wasn't a big Leo fan in years past. I thought he was a little too cheesy with all the Titanic and Romeo and Juliet nonsense, but I really like him now. He's done some great work- loved him in The Departed, and he's beyond amazing in Revolutionary Road.

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6 Bruce Willis - $41 Million in 2008 ...

Bruce Willis - $41 Million in 2008 ...** Earn for 1 movie:** $25 million

** Most Expensive Role:** Live Free or Die Hard

**My Comment: **Bruce Willis still getting into the top ten surprises me. Don't get me wrong- I love him and think he's totally sexy, but I kind of thought he was past his prime. But, when he brought back the timeless character John McClane in Live Free or Die Hard, he busted back into the top ten in 2008.

7 Ben Stiller - $40 Million in 2008 ...

Ben Stiller - $40 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $20 million

** Most Expensive Role:** Tropic Thunder

My Comment: Make 'em laugh, get the cash. Ben Stiller is just hilarious, and he's paid well for the funnies. Even though The Heartbreak Kid was totally terrible, studios are still willing to pay Ben the big bucks to get him into their films.

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8 Nicolas Cage - $38 Million in 2008 ...

Nicolas Cage - $38 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $20 million

** Most Expensive Role:** National Treasure, Book of Secrets

My Comment: What? Are you kidding me? Nicolas Cage hasn't made a good movie since The Rock, which is one of my favorites. Everything else since then - terrible! I can't even think of a movie he's been in lately! But, he was paid a big check for making National Treasure, Book of Secrets - apparently kids haven't heard that Nic's so not hot right now.

9 Keira Knightley - $32 Million in 2008 ...

Keira Knightley - $32 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $5 million

** Most Expensive Role: Pirates of the Caribbean 4**

My Comment: I love Keira Knightley. I think she's so cute, interesting, and unique. She's a girl that other girls can like I like that she does all these period roles... sure, they're a little repetitive, but the girl knows what she's good at and keeps doing it. The fans must like it, too - they keep on coming back for more. I'm surprised she made the list as Reese Witherspoon makes $20 million per movie and didn't make it. I think Keira just works a lot, so she brings in the big bucks by getting a lot of paychecks!

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10 Will Ferrell - $31 Million in 2008 ...

Will Ferrell - $31 Million in 2008 ...Earn for 1 movie: $20 million

** Most Expensive Role:** Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

My Comment: Will Ferrell is absolutely, totally hilarious. Even though his movies are silly, I think they're so funny. I want to see anything he's in. I loved him in Old School... I quote that movie all the time. If the top ten tells you anything, it is that comedians are making some big cash in the movie business right now, and Will Ferrell is definitely bringing home the bacon!

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After reading these figures, don't you wish you were an A-list actor or actressin Hollywood? I know I do! What do you think - are these salaries outrageous, or are these actors totally worth what they're being paid?

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