Robert Downey Jr is the man of Hollywood with six of the movies he has starred in earning more than $500 million worldwide. Two of these movies, ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Iron Man 3’, made over $1 billion. Due to his success, studios are clambering to get their hands on the actor.

But they will have to pay top dollar to get the star into one of their movies. Between June 2012 and July 2013, he earned a total of $75 million (R741 million), and that put him at the top of Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Actors list.

Downey was not always the favourite actor to hire. Drug abuse led him down the wrong path and acting roles were hard to come by.

When Iron Man hit theatres, that all changed. Earning $585 million at the global box office, the Iron Man franchise grossing $2,4 billion. In 2012 he starred in The Avengers, and that went on to become the third highest-grossing movie ever, earning $1,5 billion at the box office. Downey got paid more to star in the movie than the director earned. And the sequel will bring the actor even more cash.

This list compiled by Forbes excludes tax deductions, agent fees and any other costs incurred.

[Source: Forbes]