Will Ferrell Tops Forbes' List for Most Overpaid Actors

By Jett Wells Posted Nov 5th 2010 12:30PM

Will Ferrell climbed his way to the top from the nostalgic glory days of 'SNL' to launching Funny or Die and dominating the box-office with flicks like 'Anchorman,' but according to Forbes Magazine's simple mathematics, the actor isn't pulling the weight of his paycheck anymore. After comparing some of the highest paid actors to their overall box office revenue, Ferrell, along with other huge names like Denzel Washington and Drew Barrymore, are either way overpaid or are choosing really bad movies. Or maybe both. The funny part is that comedians dominate the list, but who else made the cut for having the most-inflated paycheck? Read On:

Will Ferrell
Funny man Ferrell costs a whopping $15 million per movie, but back in 2009, his 'Land of the Lost' only hauled in $69 million despite costing $100 million. Using clever calculation, for every $1 Ferrell made, the studio only made $3.35.

Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy hit the jackpot with 'Shrek,' but after two box-office stinkers in 'Imagine That' and 'Meet Dave,' the all-time great comic is developing a funky reputation in Hollywood.

Denzel Washington
Even an Oscar winner like Denzel is struggling with box office success. With two train movies in a row -- 'Pelham 123' and the upcoming 'Unstoppable' -- the Sidney Poitier of our time is only giving studios a return of $5.10 for every dollar he makes.

Seth Rogen
Another comic makes the list. The most successful Judd Apatow product went on a serious run with 'Knocked Up' and 'Pineapple Express,' but the now thinner Rogen isn't making people laugh like he used to. That's what happens when an actor gets trendy overnight.

Tom Cruise
He was once the biggest star in the world, but after a few weird stints on talk shows and becoming the spokesman for Scientology, things went south real quick for Tom Cruise. However, Cruise made a nifty comeback with his hilarious cameo in 'Tropic Thunder,' but he hasn't reclaimed his throne as box office king yet. No doubt he's banking on 'Mission: Impossible 4' to be his lottery ticket.

Drew Barrymore
Welcome the only woman to the list. Everybody loves Drew Barrymore, but not enough to go see every movie she makes. She's struggled recently with a string of under-performing date flicks like 'Lucky You' and 'Everybody's Fine,' so maybe it's time to change things up a bit.

Matt Damon
When Matt Damon does a Jason Bourne movie, he's worth every penny. Every other time? Not so much. Damon needs to get Paul Greengrass on the phone ASAP.

Vince Vaughn
He's had mixed results with two Christmas movies, 'Four Christmases' and 'Fred Claus.' He wants to get back on track with Ron Howard's 'The Dilemma,' which is already under fire for a gay joke gone awry.

Adam Sandler
Before 'Grown Ups,' Sandler was in the danger zone. Now, he's sitting pretty after it made $270 million globally. Next up, he'll try to keep the mojo going while wearing a dress.

Jim Carrey
He used to be a sure-thing at the box office, but now he's taking more chances with unorthodox comedies. In his latest gamble, 'I Love You Phillip Morris,' he portrays a con-artist who falls in love with Ewan McGregor.

Tags: forbes, Will Ferrell

Comments

(74)

Friday 05 November

By Fred

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This is a confusing story. What does "overpaid" mean? To me, it means the studio loses money on their films. If it makes money, obviously the actor was worth it. it doesn't matter what "experts" and "critics" think.

By aaqfil

It means they're getting gazillions of dollars for movies that SUCK!

By Tex

It's just another useless "list" from Forbes Magazine, designed merely to sell copies. Always take your Forbes' lists with a grain of salt and a margarita.

Sunday 07 November

By nayidgkshf

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Good article. Hard to disagree with any of that. While some of them are more talented than others, it's clear that the better ones are making mistakes in the choices they are making when accepting a part.I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsingl es.c 'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

By Owen

Sorry to say but I do not think Will Ferrell is funny..His humor might be funny if you are a sophomore in high school.His humor and his movies are oh so predicable.

By george9448

...and you're oh-so-stupid;it's "predictable",with a T, you douchewad.

By LizDee

Every movie makes SOME money, but when all is said and done it's about profit.
You have the star of a movie making 20 million, not coutning their co-stars salaries, then crews of hundreds, and a movie only makes 50 million dollars, then I don't see how that could be considered a profitabole venture.

By GB

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And aren't these the same people that try to tell us how to vote, and are quick to point out overpaid businessmen???

By Ned

Will Ferrell is not funny. He should be working at a fast food joint or as a jaintor. That is about all he is qualified for.

By Me

Not funny?? Guess you've never seen "Elf".

By ShepMuncie

I agree and neither is that punk Sandler . He made one funny movie by accident . The rest are duds . I would rather watch Gunsmoke rertuns than either of these fools . I have never seen a Will Ferrel film

By colin

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Will F. is great, but not everyone relates to his humor. But I think that he will never recover from Land of the Lost.

By Nico Toscani

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The scene in Land Of The Lost with the giant crab and giant lemon wedges is worth the price of a rental. Danny McBride ALMOST saves that movie.

By Barry

Not the least bit surprised that Will Ferrell is most overpaid --the man is simply not funny. And yes, I have seen "Elf" and found it obnoxious and a huge waste of time.

By KAT

OH I SO AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ferrill and Sandler both are so stupid they don't act they say stupid things. I have never seen either of them be funny!!!! Sandlers best movie was when he played water boy and he played himself A RETARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw ELF and Ferrill was dumb!!!!!!!!!!! Can't stand either one of them I guess u got that. They SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

By New York

Ned I agree. He is absolutely NOT funny & NOT talented. Only a 4 year old would appreciate his humor if you want to call it that. George, I think Owen really did mean preDICable. Where oh where have all the really good movie scripts gone. Maybe it is not the actors. Denzel, Matt, Drew, & Cruise are all fine actors. It is the scripts that are offered that are awful. As far as the other called actors mentioned I agree with Owen. They are preDICable. No talent there.

By Ralph Zuccaro

Show me an Actor and I'll show you an OVERPAID idiot, no matter what their name!!!

Saturday 06 November

By Nosillyname

Jim & Ewan are spectacular in the movie "I love you Phillip Morris" shame the movie hasn't received then attention it deserves maybe because of the gay story line? Still it's a shame it's based on the life of Steven jay Russell and as always Jim knows how to make you laugh!

By Ed

Everyone on that list sucks Give me some real Actors

By BTDT

Knight and Day was a better movie than the Mission Impossibles, but no one went to see it.
I think Cruise wrecked his carreer.

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