Top Earners and Rankings
The Forbes list of highest paid actors of 2017 placed Mark Wahlberg at number one with an estimated $68 million, driven by a mix of film roles and endorsement deals. Dwayne Johnson followed in second place with $65 million, supported by his leading roles in major studio franchises and his expanding brand partnerships.
Other top earners included Mel Gibson, who returned to the list with strong earnings from his directorial and acting work, and Vin Diesel, whose consistent box office draw kept him among the highest paid actors of 2017. The rankings reflected a mix of blockbuster franchises, franchise sequels, and high-profile studio tentpoles that generated large backend participation for the stars.
Income Sources and Business Models
Film Salaries and Backend Points
For many of the highest paid actors of 2017, upfront salaries were supplemented by backend profit participation, especially in franchises where box office totals reached several hundred million dollars per installment. Wahlberg and Johnson both leveraged multi-picture deals that combined guaranteed fees with percentage points on gross revenue, a structure common in major studio tentpole projects.
Endorsements and Brand Partnerships
Off-screen earnings from endorsement deals and personal brands played a significant role in their total income. Johnson's partnership with Under Armour and Wahlberg's long-standing modeling and fitness brand deals added tens of millions to their annual totals, reinforcing their positions at the top of the highest paid actors of 2017 ranking.
Industry Context and Data Sources
The earnings estimates were compiled by Forbes using public filings, studio disclosures, and industry interviews, and the methodology is detailed on the Forbes website. The figures capture income from June 2016 to June 2017, including upfront pay, box office bonuses, and endorsement revenue.
For broader context on how entertainment compensation compares to other industries, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides occupational employment and wage data that can be used to benchmark actor earnings against national averages. The SEC EDGAR database also contains filings from entertainment companies that disclose executive and talent compensation in certain circumstances.