TOP OF THE CHARTS - Zoe Saldana becomes the highest-grossing actor of all time
Actress Zoe Saldana at the European premiere of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'.
Image: Bertrand Guay / AFP
Move over box office records, because Zoe Saldaña has officially claimed the throne as the highest-grossing actor of all time.
This incredible milestone comes on the heels of the massive success of her latest film, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which has pushed her lifetime global box office total to an astounding $15.47 billion.
So, how did she reach this legendary status? Saldaña has a knack for picking winners, as she is the first and only actor to star in four different movies that have each crossed the 2 billion dollar mark.
Her record-breaking portfolio includes the original “Avatar”, “Avengers: Endgame”, “Avatar: The Way of Water”, and Avengers: Infinity War.
Zoe Saldaña's role in the Avatar movies has helped her reach the status of the highest-grossing actor.
Image: X
By taking over the top spot, she has officially surpassed her Marvel co-star Scarlett Johansson, who previously held the record with a total of 16.4 billion dollars before Saldaña’s latest Avatar installment tipped the scales this month.
Taking to Instagram to celebrate, Saldaña shared a heartfelt video message to express her gratitude.
She looked absolutely thrilled while telling her followers, "I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today."
She was quick to share the credit, adding that it was "an achievement made possible entirely, entirely by the incredible franchises and the collaborators that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of, to every director who placed their trust in me."
She also gave a huge shout-out to her fans, noting that their "unwavering support, passion, and loyalty are the true foundation of this milestone."
While being the highest-grossing actor means your movies have made the most money at the ticket booth, it is not the same as being the highest-paid actor, which refers to the actual salary and backend profits an actor takes home.
Currently, that title belongs to someone like Tom Cruise, who often tops the charts for his massive paydays and backend deals on projects like the “Mission: Impossible” series.
Saldaña is not just a box office powerhouse; she is a critically acclaimed star as well.
In 2025, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the musical crime comedy “Emilia Pérez.”