Forbes' Top 10 Highest-Earning Entertainment Stars of 2018

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

1. Judy Sheindlin

2. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

3. U2

4. Coldplay

5. Lionel Messi

6. Ed Sheeran

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

9. George Clooney

10. Kylie Jenner

1. Judy Sheindlin

Judy Sheindlin is an American lawyer and former judge in Manhattan, New York. In the U.S., lawyers and judges wield significant influence, and Judy Sheindlin's leadership in Manhattan highlights her prominence. However, she is not a stern legal figure but rather known for her approachable demeanor. She starred in and produced the reality show based on her life, Judge Judy. Additionally, Sheindlin has authored a memoir, with seven editions published to date. In 2017 alone, her book helped her earn $100 million, according to Forbes. She is regarded as a 21st-century American legal icon.

Details:

Full Name: Judith Susan Sheindlin
Age: 75
Nationality: United States
Field: Lawyer, TV Personality, Author
2017 Earnings: $147 million

Judith Susan Sheindlin

2. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a household name, thanks to his role in blockbuster action films in recent years. Starting as a WWE wrestler with a muscular physique, he gradually transitioned into acting. While his performances haven't always received critical acclaim, Johnson has become a perfect fit for action movie roles. He starred as the 'Scorpion King' in The Mummy Returns and went on to appear in major action franchises like G.I. Joe and the Fast & Furious series (from part 5 to the latest installment). In 2017 and 2018, he was featured in films such as The Fate of the Furious, Rampage, Skyscraper, Jumanji, and Baywatch.

Details:

Full Name: Dwayne Douglas Johnson
Age: 46
Nationality: United States
Field: WWE Wrestler, Movie Star
2017 Earnings: $124 million

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

3. U2

U2 is a legendary rock band from Ireland, formed in 1976. They are considered one of the pioneers of Rock 'n' Roll music and are often described as a 'from zero to hero' band by Rolling Stone magazine. U2 holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by any band. In 2015, they were inducted into the 'Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame'. In 2018, U2 had a spectacular World Tour, especially across Europe. Their global tours, concerts, album sales, sponsorships, and advertising deals helped the band earn $118 million in 2017.

Details:

Full Members: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr
Age: 42 years since formation
Nationality: Ireland
Field: Music
2017 Earnings: $118 million

4. Coldplay

Coldplay is a British rock band, formed in 1996 by students Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland at University College London. The band has achieved massive success and garnered numerous awards globally, including seven Grammy Awards. In 2017, Coldplay earned $115.5 million from their worldwide tours, music releases, sponsorship deals, and advertisements.

Details:

Full Members: Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, Will Champion
Age: 22 years since formation
Nationality: United Kingdom
Field: Music
2017 Earnings: $115.5 million

Coldplay

5. Lionel Messi

Undoubtedly, one of the most prominent figures in the Top 10 Highest-Paid Entertainment Stars of 2018 by Forbes is the football legend, Lionel Messi. The Argentine footballer, currently playing for Barcelona, has earned countless titles and, alongside Ronaldo, has been considered one of the best players in the world in recent years. With Barcelona, Messi has won the Champions League 4 times, La Liga 9 times, and with Argentina, he reached the 2014 World Cup final. He has also won the prestigious Ballon d'Or five times. In 2017, Messi earned $50 million in salary from Barcelona before taxes, but his earnings extend far beyond that, with additional revenue from merchandise sales, endorsements, and business investments. His total income for the year reached $111 million, making him the highest-paid footballer.

Details:

Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Age: 31
Nationality: Argentina
Field: Football star
2017 Earnings: $111 million

Lionel Messi

Ed Sheeran

6. Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is a British pop singer-songwriter who has gained immense popularity among young audiences in recent years. In 2012, Ed Sheeran made his breakthrough in the United States, initially writing songs for the band One Direction, and was nominated for a Grammy in 2013. Following that, he released his own hits such as "Thinking Out Loud", "Photograph", "Shape of You", and "Perfect", all of which became chart-toppers and resonated strongly with fans. His single "Thinking Out Loud" earned him two Grammy Awards. In 2017, Ed Sheeran also collaborated with rap legend Eminem on a track for Eminem's album *Revival*.

Details:

Full Name: Edward Christopher Sheeran
Age: 27
Nationality: United Kingdom
Field: Music
2017 Earnings: $110 million

Cristiano Ronaldo

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time, a fierce rival to Lionel Messi, and widely regarded as one of the two best players in the world in recent years. Ronaldo has won the Premier League 3 times with Manchester United, 5 Champions League titles with both Manchester United and Real Madrid, 2 La Liga titles with Real Madrid, and a European Championship with the Portuguese national team. He is also the highest-paid footballer, with a salary of $59 million in 2017. Additionally, his income is supplemented by endorsement deals, sponsorships, and business ventures, bringing his total earnings for the year to $108 million. Though he ranked at the bottom of Forbes' *Top 10 Highest-Paid Entertainers of 2018*, Ronaldo's income is still astronomical, outpacing many other entertainment stars and entrepreneurs.

Details:

Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Age: 33
Nationality: Portugal
Field: Football Superstar
2017 Earnings: $108 million

Floyd Mayweather

9. George Clooney

George Clooney is a renowned American actor, a two-time Oscar winner, and one of the most sought-after leading men in Hollywood during the 90s and early 2000s. In recent years, Clooney has shifted his focus towards producing films, as well as being highly involved in advertising and philanthropy. In 2008, Hollywood even honored him with the title of 'The Messenger of Peace'. In 2017, Clooney earned a staggering $239 million, reflecting his widespread success both on and off the screen.

Details:

Full Name: George Timothy Clooney
Age: 57
Nationality: United States
Field: Film Industry
2017 Earnings: $239 million

George Clooney

10. Kylie Jenner

One of the most surprising and standout names in the Forbes 2018 list of the highest-paid celebrities is Kylie Jenner. It's hard to believe that a young woman born in 1997 could earn more than soccer superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Rising to fame through the reality TV show 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians', Kylie went on to launch her own cosmetic brands, 'Kendall and Kylie' and 'Kylie Cosmetics', alongside her sister. In 2014, Kylie Jenner was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 25 most influential young people of the year, thanks to her massive impact on social media. Since 2016, she has consistently been among the top 10 most-followed personalities on Instagram.

Details:

Full Name: Kylie Kristen Jenner
Age: 21
Nationality: United States
Field: Reality TV Star, Model, Cosmetics Entrepreneur, Influencer
2017 Earnings: $166.5 million

Kylie Jenner

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Judy Sheindlin and what makes her an American legal icon?

Judy Sheindlin, known for her role as a TV personality on 'Judge Judy', is a former Manhattan judge and lawyer. She is recognized for her approachable demeanor and leadership in the legal field, earning significant wealth from her memoirs and TV show.

How did Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson transition from wrestling to acting?

Dwayne Johnson started as a WWE wrestler before successfully transitioning to acting. He became a major action movie star with roles in films like 'The Scorpion King' and the 'Fast & Furious' series, eventually becoming one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors.

What contributed to U2's success and high earnings in 2017?

U2's 2017 success was driven by their global tours, album sales, sponsorships, and advertising deals. Their extensive music career, including numerous Grammy Awards and a legendary rock status, helped them earn $118 million that year.

What are Coldplay's achievements in the music industry?

Coldplay, formed in 1996, is known for its massive success, winning seven Grammy Awards. Their 2017 earnings of $115.5 million came from worldwide tours, music releases, and commercial deals, solidifying their place as a global music powerhouse.

What makes Lionel Messi one of the highest-paid athletes in the world?

Lionel Messi's exceptional football career, including five Ballon d'Or titles, major titles with Barcelona and Argentina, and high-profile endorsements, earned him $111 million in 2017, making him the highest-paid footballer that year.

How did Ed Sheeran achieve major commercial success in 2017?

Ed Sheeran's 2017 commercial success stemmed from his chart-topping singles, including 'Shape of You' and 'Thinking Out Loud', as well as collaborations with artists like Eminem. His total earnings of $110 million reflect his global appeal and music success.

What is Cristiano Ronaldo's earning potential outside of football?

Cristiano Ronaldo earned $108 million in 2017, with a significant portion coming from endorsement deals and business ventures. His football career, including multiple Champions League titles, complements his lucrative off-field earnings, securing his position as one of the highest-paid athletes.

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