Image Credit: Jon Furniss/WireImage.com
Leonardo DiCaprio once crowed that he was “the king of the world,” and the 36-year-old actor now has the bank account to back it up. The Inception star dislodged Pirates of the Caribbean icon Johnny Depp at the top of Forbes’ list of the highest-earning actors, with Adam Sandler, Will Smith, and Tom Hanks rounding out the top 5.
The magazine estimated that DiCaprio had earned $77 million in the 12-month period ending in May, an impressive tally for an actor not associated with a blockbuster movie franchise. In fact, there’s something strangely satisfying about DiCaprio and Depp ranking 1 and 2 on this type of list. Though they both certainly qualify as handsome Hollywood leading man, both men seemingly spurned the lure of instant stardom and opted for smaller, offbeat roles early in their careers. DiCaprio rejected several high-profile projects after Titanic made him the biggest heartthrob in the world, while Depp spent many years choosing interesting roles that seemed designed to obscure his box-office potential.
Overall, the top 5 actors are all proven heavyweights, so at least Hollywood knows a safe bet when it sees one. Still in his acting prime, do you expect DiCaprio to keep his crown for several years to come? Just imagine what he might earn once he decides to take the plunge and tackle one of those blockbuster franchises that surely has been dangled before his eyes?
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$77 miilion last year, hummmm…not I see why Blake wants to go to ther.
Hum, I not see why Blake go ther too. Blake ther not, hum mm…
Hmm, I not so hooked on phonics Blake go her.
Nows ya gots me all confoozum n mixxyuppy.
Yeah Holly, I forget my ‘e’. So excited for a 30 Rock reference I did not proof.
I’ve learned to love this guy.
Me too, never thought he would choose so well his movies. Can’t say the same for Depp though… love his early movies, not so crazy about the last ones.
In my opinion, the movies Depp makes are kind of weird.
this large-headed freak is one of the most over-rated and over-exposed celebrities… just like Beyonsh*t and J.T.!! tee-hee!
Hes the best in the game for my money..
He deserves an oscar — long deserved one.
Leo is great, one the best actors of all time. Depp too. Both deserve an Oscar for a long time… but we know all the politics behind this award, no?
I love that the top two were both in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. This list goes well with the article on whether Ryan Gosling is an actor or star first. While it characterized di Caprio as a star first, he (along with Depp) clearly strive to be actors. Hanks, Smith, and Sandler have all tried their hands at being actors (rather than just stars), too.
Careful Leo, u may think u r now but pride can take a fall but you didn’t hear that from me.
Inception was a good film, but he didn’t play his part any differently than Revolutionary Road or his other recent roles. Pretty predictable and kind of boring. Love all his beard gfs.
He undeniably gets offered all the best roles.
He should have had an Oscar a long time ago. A lot of people say he is overrated, but there are a lot of overrated film actors, but for some reason, he’s the first name to pop up. He deserves his career and doesn’t throw it away by doing crap movies (Nicolas Cage, Halle Berry (who I love), Will Smith, etc.). People on IMDB who question his casting in movies and he somehow knocks it out. But people never respect anybody no matter how well he does.
I’m hoping he gets his long-deserved Oscar for J. Edgar this year. Fingers crossed.
His looks and words made him a definitive actor