LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Oscar-winning Jennifer Lawrence was named the world’s highest-paid actress for the second year running on Tuesday, with estimated pre-tax earnings of $46 million.
The 26-year-old American raked in the lion’s share from a profit share in the final “Hunger Games” movie, which grossed $650 million, Forbes magazine said. An upfront fee for the forthcoming space thriller “Passengers” also helped the 26-year-old push her pay day above second-ranked Melissa McCarthy, who pocketed $33 million.
Lawrence, who took the best actress Oscar for 2012 comedy-drama “Silver Linings Playbook,” is down from $52 million in last year’s list, although she is still considered Hollywood’s hottest property by some distance. McCarthy, 45, earned $10 million more than the 2015 estimate thanks to a reported eight-figure payday for “Ghostbusters.” Perennial A-list darling Scarlett Johansson came in third with $25 million, while Jennifer Aniston, who makes most of her cash through endorsements, bagged $21 million.