The Changing Landscape Of The Highest-Paid Actresses In 2020

The list of the highest-paid actresses looks a bit different this year. The coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted the film industry, causing traditional movie theatres to close and limiting the release of new films. This situation has influenced the earnings of many actors and actresses, as their contracts often include a share of the box office profits. Consequently, well-known stars like Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Lawrence are absent from this year's rankings. Interestingly, half of the actresses on this list earned their pay primarily through television and streaming platforms, where payments are typically made upfront, rather than relying on box office performance.

Modern Family's Sofia Vergara takes the crown as the highest-paid actress in the world for this year. Notable television stars like Ellen Pompeo and Viola Davis also made the top 10, thanks to their successful series, "Grey's Anatomy" and "How to Get Away with Murder," respectively. Furthermore, Elisabeth Moss's acclaimed performance in "The Handmaid's Tale" has solidified her place on this prestigious list.

In total, the top 10 highest-paid actresses collectively earned $254 million from July 2019 to June 2020. In contrast, the top 10 highest-paid actors made a staggering $545.5 million during the same period, marking a 20% decline from the previous year. While most actresses capitalized on their television and streaming roles, only Angelina Jolie and Emily Blunt primarily profited from traditional films, earning a combined total of $58 million, a substantial drop from last year's $136.5 million.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Actresses

#10. Viola Davis – $15.5 million

This year marks Viola Davis's debut on the list of the highest-paid actresses, largely due to her salary from her role as attorney Annalise Keating in "How to Get Away with Murder" and her performance in Netflix's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

#9. Elisabeth Moss – $16 million

Elisabeth Moss has gained significant recognition for her leading role in Hulu's adaptation of "The Handmaid's Tale." Additionally, her involvement in the successful film "Invisible Man" contributed to her earnings this year.

#8. Ellen Pompeo – $19 million

Ellen Pompeo has established herself as a television powerhouse, earning approximately $550,000 per episode for "Grey's Anatomy." Furthermore, she benefits from around $6 million annually from syndication profits of the long-running series.

#7. Nicole Kidman – $22 million

Nicole Kidman is set to appear in Netflix's "The Prom," where she secured a significant upfront salary. She is also earning $1 million per episode for her role in HBO's "The Undoing."

#6. Emily Blunt – $22.5 million

Emily Blunt received an impressive upfront salary for her role in the upcoming sequel to "A Quiet Place," scheduled for release in 2021. She also earned a substantial amount for her performance in "Jungle Cruise," which is set to debut in July 2021.

#5. Meryl Streep – $24 million

Meryl Streep's earnings stem from her role in Steven Soderbergh's comedy "Let Them All Talk," which was sold to HBO Max for $33 million, netting her at least $5 million. The remaining amount came from her performance in "Little Women" and her upcoming role in "The Prom."

#4. Melissa McCarthy – $25 million

Melissa McCarthy is starring in two streaming films, one on Netflix and another on HBO Max, both directed by her husband, Ben Falcone. Additionally, she hosts the NBC show "Little Big Shots."

#3. Gal Gadot – $31.5 million

Gal Gadot's earnings were expected to be higher if not for the pandemic-related delays of "Wonder Woman 1984." She earned a remarkable $20 million for her role in Netflix's "Red Notice," which is co-starring Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds.

#2. Angelina Jolie – $35.5 million

Angelina Jolie's earnings this year were primarily driven by her role in the upcoming Marvel film "The Eternals," set to be released in November 2021.

#1. Sofia Vergara – $43 million

Sofia Vergara's prominent role in ABC's "Modern Family" concluded in April, where she earned $500,000 per episode. Currently, she serves as a judge on "America's Got Talent," earning at least $10 million per season. Additionally, she has lucrative endorsement deals with Rooms to Go and her line of jeans at Walmart.

Key Takeaways