Leonardo DiCaprio: Forbes Highest Earning Actor in Hollywood
Leonardo DiCaprio is the highest-earning actor in Hollywood, earning $77 million last year. Forbes magazine’s “Hollywood’s Highest-Earning Actors” list indicates that the “Inception” star earned the money through a cut of the film’s profits and those from “Shutter Island”, as well as collecting upfront fees from both films.
DiCaprio moved to the top-earning spot after being fifth last year, and has stolen the number-one spot from Johnny Depp, who earned $50 million in 2010. However, Depp, who is this year’s second highest paid actor, could be back at the top with his return as Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”
The remaining top-paid actors in Hollywood this year are Adam Sandler with $40 million; Will Smith with $36 million, and Tom Hanks with $35 million. Completing the top ten are Ben Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Tim Allen, and Tom Cruise.
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The Forbes list included fifteen actors and based its rankings on box office earnings from May 2010 to May 2011. The actors earned $473 million combined during the year.
Native to Los Angeles, Leonardo DiCaprio started his acting career with commercials and appearing in soap operas, and in 1991, appeared in his first movie, sci-fi thriller “Critters 3.” He is best known worldwide for his role in James Cameron’s “Titanic” in 1997, as well as more recent films such as “Blood Diamond” and “The Departed.”
DiCaprio has received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, and has received a Silver Bear, a Choltrudis Award, and a Satellite Award for his cinematic work.
The Hollywood actor has accepted praise from environmental groups for his commitment to minimizing the effects of global warming. DiCaprio is known for taking commercial flights as opposed to chartering private jets, and was reported to drive a hybrid car in attempts to cut back on fossil fuel use. In a travel magazine, Ukula, he listed global warming as “the number-one environmental challenge.”
In addition to his involvement with environmental organizations, DiCaprio is active in several other issues. He has donated money to Obama's political campaign, as well as to the Los Angeles Public Library, and to the Wildlife Conservation Society in Russia, among many other contributions.
After being romantically linked to supermodel Gisele Bundchen, DiCaprio’s personal life has been a focal point in the public eye. He is currently linked to “Gossip Girls” actress Blake Lively.
