In a relatively short period of time,Dwayne Johnsonwent from being just another wrestler who was trying to make some extra money as a movie star, to one of the most prolific movie stars on the planet. It looks like all of that hard work has paid off. According to a new report, it looks like The Rock is now the highest paid actor in all of Hollywood for 2016.
According to Forbes, who just published their new Celebrity 100 list for 2016,Johnsonmade $64.5 million this year, making him the highest paid actor on the list. He came in at number 19 overall, and there were some people, such as hisCentral Intelligenceco-starKevin Hart, who made some money acting above him on the list. ButJohnsonwas thehighest paidperson on the list who made the lion’s share of his money from movies and TV.
“Rock-solid box office numbers helped the erstwhile wrestler become the world’s highest-paid actor. Since helping launch the billion-dollarFast and Furiousfranchise and leading 2015’s “San Andreas” to a surprising $473 million worldwide, Dwayne Johnson has become Hollywood’s go-to action hero.”
Johnsonhas been circling the title of the highest paid actor in the business for a couple of years now, butRobert Downey Jr.had been standing in his way because of his incredible earnings as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. BecauseJohnsonis so insanely active and engaging with his fans on social media, he got wind of the news and took to his Instagram to share his thoughts on the announcement. Here is what he had to say.
“Receiving news like this will always serve as my anchoring reminder to continue to work even harder. We not only want to “embrace the grind”, but take the grind to new levels. I learned a few invaluable lessons a long time ago that can help all of you guys out there succeed at whatever it is you’re doing. Greatness is never achieved alone. Surround yourself with hungry, brilliant individuals who not only buy into your philosophy, but who are all willing to work just as hard as you. Power of teamwork. And don’t ever forget where you came from. I was evicted at 14yrs old and completely broke by 23. Every day I wake up as if that eviction notice is right around the corner waiting for me.. which is why I always say, “the wolf is always scratchin' at the door”. He’s scratchin' cause he’s hungry and never satisfied. We embrace and respect our past (even if it was f*cked up), but we never let it define our future. Let’s stay hungry and chase that greatness. I will now jump in my pick up truck, go to work and figure out whether or not I need psychiatric therapy for this damn wolf that’s become my best friend.”
Not only hasJohnsonwent on to make boatloads of money from his acting career, but he has also become unbelievably prolific. It feels like every week we are hearing about another high-profile project that he is either going to be starring in, or is in talks for. This year, he starred in the comedyCentral Intelligence, the second season ofBallersis set to premiere on HBO this weekend and he will be voicing the main character in Disney’s animated featureMoanalater this year. Next year he’ll be starring in at least three major movies, reprising his role as Hobbs inFast 8, he is headlining the R-ratedBaywatchmovie as well as theJumanjireboot.
Johnsonis currently filmingFast 8and then it looks like he will be moving ontoJumanji. After that, it is very likely he will be jumping into the recently announcedShane Black,Doc Savagemovie. He is also attached to star in an adaptation of the video game movieRampage, a sequel to his surprise hit disaster movieSan Andreas, and he is still set to star as Black Adam inShazam!for Warner Bros. as part of the DC Extended Universe. You can check outJohnson’s Instagram post about the news below.
