Highest Grossing Actors of 2017
According to Box Office Mojo, the highest grossing actor of 2017 was Mark Wahlberg, whose films earned approximately $2.8 billion worldwide, driven primarily by Transformers: The Last Knight and Daddy's Home 2. Wahlberg's consistent presence in major studio tentpoles made him the top earner for the calendar year based on theatrical box office data. His projects were distributed by Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures, reflecting the dominance of large studio marketing and global release strategies in 2017.
Dwayne Johnson ranked second among the highest grossing actors of 2017, with combined worldwide box office of roughly $1.4 billion from films such as Baywatch and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Johnson's box office draw was supported by a mix of action and family films released by Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures. The data highlights how franchise sequels and ensemble action comedies contributed heavily to actor earnings and audience reach during the year.
Most Awarded Actors of 2017
Academy Award Winners and Nominees
At the 90th Academy Awards, Gary Oldman won Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, a biographical drama distributed by Focus Features. Oldman's win was widely seen as a consensus choice among critics and industry voters, supported by strong reviews and award-season momentum from organizations such as the Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The film's production company, Working Title Films, leveraged a focused awards campaign to highlight the performance.
Among the Best Actor nominees, Timothée Chalamet, then 22 years old, earned recognition for Call Me by Your Name, making him one of the youngest nominees in the category in recent decades. The film, an adaptation of André Aciman's novel, was produced by Sony Pictures Classics and earned multiple nominations at the Oscars and the Golden Globes. Chalamet's performance was frequently cited by industry outlets as a breakout moment for a new generation of actors.
Most Prominent TV Actors of 2017
Streaming and Cable Breakthroughs
In television, Sterling K. Brown emerged as one of the most prominent actors of 2017, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in This Is Us, an NBC drama. Brown's win marked a significant moment for network television in an era of increased competition from streaming platforms, and it reflected strong viewership and critical acclaim for the show's first season. The series was produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Rhode Island Ave. Productions.
On the streaming front, Netflix's Stranger Things featured a breakout ensemble cast in 2017, with Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard gaining widespread recognition for their roles in the science fiction series. The show's second season, released in October 2017, became one of the most watched original series on the platform, according to Netflix's public engagement metrics. The series was created by the Duffer Brothers and produced for Netflix by 21 Laps Entertainment and Monkey Massacre Productions.
Notable Film Performances and Studio Projects
In film, Gary Oldman's performance in Darkest Hour was supported by extensive makeup and prosthetic work, with the actor spending hours in the chair each day to portray Churchill. The film's production design and cinematography, handled by companies such as Working Title Films and StudioCanal, contributed to its critical and commercial success. Oldman later discussed the physical demands of the role in interviews with outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter.
Beyond acting, several performers of 2017 transitioned into producing roles, with Dwayne