Can you smell what the top grossing actor of 2013 is cooking?

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

As 2013 comes to a close, we know that IRON MAN 3 is the biggest box office success of the year with a domestic gross of $409 million and a global total of $1.2 billion. But, despite those amazing numbers, star Robert Downey, Jr. is not the top grossing actor of the year. That honor instead goes to perennial action hero Dwayne Johnson whose three movies this year, PAIN & GAIN, FAST AND FURIOUS 6, and G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, combined for a total of $1.3 billion at the global box office. While you can argue that Downey did almost that same amount with a single film, the combined success here cements Dwayne Johnson as a bona fide A-list actor.

Granted, in two of those films Johnson played a supporting role, but that does not diminish the success he has been building to each year. After a string of family friendly comedies and some forgettable action movies, Dwayne Johnson is beginning to come into his own in Hollywood. In 2013 he also appeared in the direct to DVD movie EMPIRE STATE and continued to work with his old wrestling buddies in the WWE. In 2014 he has another high profile role in Brett Ratner's HERCULES: THE THRACIAN WARS and eventually FAST AND FURIOUS 7 when it begins filming again.

Dwayne Johnson has yet to find the signature role that sets him up for the long haul, but for now you can guarantee he will continue to grace movie posters as long as fans want to see him. Check out the full list of top grossing actors courtesy of Forbes below.

2013 TOP GROSSING ACTORS

1. Dwayne Johnson ($1.3 billion global box office – G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, PAIN & GAIN, FAST AND FURIOUS 6)

2. Robert Downey Jr. ($1.2 billion – IRON MAN 3)

3.  Steve Carell ($964 million – DESPICABLE ME 2, THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE, THE WAY WAY BACK)

4. Vin Diesel ($887 million – FAST AND FURIOUS 6, RIDDICK)

5.  Sandra Bullock ($862 million – THE HEAT, GRAVITY)

6. Paul Walker ($789 million – FAST AND FURIOUS 6)

7. Billy Crystal ($743 million – MONSTERS UNIVERSITY)

8. John Goodman ($743 million – MONSTERS UNIVERSITY)

9. Chris Hemsworth ($701 million – THOR: THE DARK WORLD, RUSH)

10. Jennifer Lawrence ($700 million – THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE)