**Adam Sandler Crowned Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Actor for 2025**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/adam-sandler-031326-b6bcc970f5af472a93f6018b1e2209b1.jpg)
In an impressive showing of financial success, Adam Sandler has been named the highest-paid actor in Hollywood for the year 2025, according to a report from Forbes. The comedian and actor earned a staggering £48 million last year, significantly bolstered by his productions and performances in several major projects.
Sandler, who is now 59, captivated audiences with his return to the role of Happy Gilmore in the highly-anticipated sequel, *Happy Gilmore 2*. This project, which follows the original cult classic sports comedy from 1996, has been heralded as a major box office draw. In addition to this, Sandler showcased his dramatic range in *Jay Kelly*, where he starred alongside renowned actor George Clooney. Sandler’s role as Ron Sukenick, the loyal manager of Clooney’s character, earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Golden Globes.
Despite his financial triumph, Sandler’s earnings are notably lower than the previous year’s highest-paid actor, Dwayne Johnson, who raked in an impressive £88 million in 2024. Overall, the total earnings of the 20 highest-paid actors in Tinseltown saw a significant decrease, amounting to £590 million, a drop of 20% compared to the £730 million reported the year before.
Following Sandler on the Forbes list is the iconic Tom Cruise, who claimed the second spot with an income of £46 million. The 63-year-old actor’s earnings were largely derived from his role in the eighth installment of the *Mission: Impossible* franchise, titled *Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning*.
Mark Wahlberg secured the third position, earning £44 million. The 54-year-old actor’s income came from his performances in various films, including *The Family Plan* on Apple TV and *Play Dirty* on Prime Video. Scarlett Johansson closely followed, with earnings of £43 million, thanks to her roles in *Jurassic World: Rebirth* and Wes Anderson’s *The Phoenician Scheme*, as well as making her directorial debut with *Eleanor the Great*.
Brad Pitt rounded out the top five, earning £41 million through his work in *F1*, an Apple production, which garnered a Best Picture nomination at the 2026 Academy Awards.
The list continues with other notable names, including Denzel Washington, who earned £38 million, and Jack Black alongside Jason Momoa, both pulling in £28 million. Daniel Craig followed closely, earning £27 million from his role in *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery*, and Millie Bobby Brown made headlines as the youngest actor ever to appear on Forbes’ list at just 22 years old, earning £26 million. Brown was notably involved in the final season of *Stranger Things* and featured in *The Electric State*, the latter earning her further recognition in the industry.
Forbes compiles its earnings estimates using data from various sources including Box Office Mojo and IMDB, combined with insights from industry insiders. The reported figures reflect the actors’ earnings after accounting for payments made to their agents, managers, and legal advisors.
Adam Sandler’s achievements this year not only highlight his continued success in the entertainment industry but also illustrate the competitive nature of Hollywood’s highest earners, proving that star power remains a significant driver of income in film and television. As the landscape of film continues to evolve, the earnings of actors reflect not just their box office presence, but also their ability to engage and win audiences both on-screen and off.