Adam Sandler beats Tom Cruise to become 2025 highest-paid actor

Comedian and actor Adam Sandler has claimed the title of Hollywood’s highest-paid actor for 2025, earning Ksh 6.19 billion ($48 million) over the year, according to Forbes.

At 59, Sandler’s earnings were fueled by his work on Happy Gilmore 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 sports comedy, and Jay Kelly, a Netflix film starring alongside George Clooney.

In the latter, Sandler plays Ron Sukenick, the devoted manager of a famous actor, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Despite topping the 2025 list, his earnings were significantly lower than last year’s highest-paid actor, Dwayne Johnson, who earned Ksh 11.35 billion ($88 million) in 2024.

Forbes also noted that the combined pay of the 20 highest-paid actors in Hollywood in 2025 was Ksh 76.11 billion ($590 million), down 20% from the previous year’s Ksh 94.17 billion ($730 million).

Hollywood pay rankings

Next on the 2025 list was Tom Cruise. The 63-year-old star earned Ksh 5.93 billion ($46 million) for the eighth instalment of the action franchise Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning.

Third on the list was Mark Wahlberg, earning Ksh 5.68 billion ($44 million) from projects including The Family Plan, Play Dirty, and Flight Risk.

Close behind were Scarlett Johansson with Ksh 5.55 billion ($43 million) and Brad Pitt at Ksh 5.29 billion ($41 million).

Youngest star entry

Other top earners included Denzel Washington (Ksh 4.90 billion / $38 million), Jack Black (Ksh 3.61 billion / $28 million), Jason Momoa (Ksh 3.61 billion / $28 million), Daniel Craig (Ksh 3.48 billion / $27 million), and Millie Bobby Brown (Ksh 3.35 billion / $26 million).

Brown, 22, became the youngest actor ever to appear on Forbes’ highest-paid list. She earned her pay from the fifth and final season of Stranger Things and her role in The Electric State with Chris Pratt.

Forbes’ earnings estimates are based on data from Box Office Mojo and IMDb, as well as interviews with industry insiders. The figures reflect income after agent, manager, and lawyer fees.