Who Was the Highest Paid Actor in 2017
According to Forbes, the highest paid actor in 2017 was Mark Wahlberg, who earned an estimated $68 million before taxes and fees during that calendar year. The list was published in the Forbes annual ranking of the world's highest paid actors, which uses publicly reported income, studio deals, backend participation, and endorsement contracts as primary sources.
The ranking is based on pretax gross earnings from June of the prior year through June of the reporting year, covering film salaries, backend points, TV work, and licensing income where verifiable. Forbes cross-checks figures with studio filings, talent agency disclosures, and public financial statements to build the annual list.
How Mark Wahlberg Earned $68 Million in 2017
Wahlberg's income came from a mix of leading roles in major studio films, producing deals under his Wahlberg Entertainment banner, and lucrative endorsement contracts with brands such as Calvin Klein and Aston Martin. His backend participation in successful franchises and TV projects added to the total reported by Forbes.
The earnings were compiled by Forbes using data from studios, talent agencies, and public filings, and the list is updated annually to reflect the latest available information. For more details on how the ranking is calculated, see the Forbes methodology page at https://www.forbes.com.
Other Top Earners on the 2017 Highest Paid Actor List
Dwayne Johnson ranked second on the Forbes 2017 list with an estimated $65 million, driven by starring roles in major franchises and production deals. Other actors in the top tier included Vin Diesel, Tom Cruise, and Adam Sandler, each with earnings shaped by backend participation and long-term studio partnerships.
The full ranking is available on the Forbes website, where readers can explore how each actor's income compares to industry averages and previous years. The site also provides context on how backend participation and franchise success influence total earnings in Hollywood.