'Iron Man' Robert Downey Jnr tops Hollywood earners' list

Downey, 48, starred in Disney films The Avengers in 2012 and Iron Man 3 this year, each earning more than US$1 billion at the box office, assuring him the top spot in ranking of Hollywood's top acting earners.

"Every studio in town would love to cast him, and now they pay big buck for the privilege," Forbes.com contributor Dorothy Pomerantz said about Downey. Forbes.com estimated his earnings between June last year and June this year.

New father Tatum, 33, who self-financed the male-stripper movie Magic Mike that made US$167 million with director Steven Soderbergh, took second spot with estimated earnings of US$60 million. Australian actor Jackman, 44, whose new movie The Wolverine opens in United States theatres next week, was not far behind with US$55 million.

Mark Wahlberg, 42, had a comedy hit with Ted, a film that earned US$550 million and pumped up his earning to US$52 million to secure fourth place, and wrestler-turned actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, 41, rounded out the top five with US$46 million.

Johnson starred in Fast and Furious 6, which made US$500 million at the box office in less than two weeks, and G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Adam Sandler, 46, was at No.7, thanks mainly to Hotel Transylvania, which grossed US$347 million and bumped his earnings up to US$37 million.

Denzel Washington, 58, took a pay cut for a share of profits for Flight, which turned out to be a shrewd deal. The film made US$162 million putting the Oscar winner in eighth place with earnings of US$33 million.