"Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence leads the list of highest paid actress published by Forbes this year. The co-star of Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson tops the group with $52 million pre-tax earnings which she acquired over the past 12 months. The second actress on the list, Scarlett Johansson, earned $16.5 million less than Lawrence. The "Avengers: Age of Ultron" star managed to earn $35.5 million over the same period. As for the third place, Forbes named "Ghostbusters" star Melissa McCarthy acquired $23 million.
The 2015 list of highest paid actresses marks a first for Forbes. This year saw the first time that the group reached a worldwide coverage in terms of the actresses included in the ranking. However, the wider scope provided minimal effects on the list as only one actress outside the United States managed to get in. Chinese actress Bingbing Fan, who starred in "X-Men: Days of Future Past," ranked fourth in the Forbes list of highest paid actresses. Earning $21 million over the past 12 months, the Asian star acquired majority of her income from films like "The White-Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom." Her endorsements courtesy of L'Oreal and Chopard are also cited as major contributors to her wealth.
Apart from Bingbing Fan, another first timer in the Forbes list is "Ted 2" star Amanda Seyfried. Landing the No. 13 spot alongside "Into the Woods" actress Meryl Streep, the "Chloe" star earned $8 million in the past year. Apart from her films, experts are citing her endorsement deals with Clé de Peau Beauté and Givenchy as major factors in her salary surge this year.
Meanwhile, "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart cashed in $12 million this year and snagged the ninth spot in Forbes' highest paid actresses list. While Stewart has resorted to limiting her public appearances following her frenzied days as the "Twilight" star, the actress managed to still steal the spotlight through her various venture in indie films which gained her commendations from critics all over the globe - a feat she failed to achieve during the height of her mainstream films.
The Forbes' list of highest paid actresses also featured the veterans who are consistently included in the ranking despite minimal appearances in the big screen. According to Forbes, these actresses typically acquire such big paydays through their glamorous endorsement deals. These stars include Jennifer Aniston (No. 5), Julia Roberts (No. 6), Angelina Jolie (No. 7) and Gwyneth Paltrow (No. 12).
Here is the complete list of Forbes' highest paid actresses in order:
- Jennifer Lawrence: $52,000,000
- Scarlett Johansson: $35,500,000
- Melissa McCarthy: $23,000,000
- Bingbing Fan: $21,000,000
- Jennifer Aniston: $16,500,000
- Julia Roberts: $16,000,000
- Angelina Jolie: $15,000,000
- Reese Witherspoon: $15,000,000
- Anne Hathaway: $12,000,000
- Kristen Stewart: $12,000,000
- Cameron Diaz: $11,000,000
- Gwyneth Paltrow: $9,000,000
- Meryl Streep: $8,000,000
- Amanda Seyfried: $8,000,000
- Sandra Bullock: $8,000,000
- Emma Stone: $6,500,000
- Mila Kunis: $6,500,000
- Natalie Portman: $6,000,000
