Planet of the Apes Rich List: The Wealthiest Actors in the Primate World, Ranked

The ‘Planet of the Apes‘ films have spanned many years, featuring a diverse cast including established stars, award-winning actors, and those consistently involved with the franchise. Many of these actors have gone on to have successful careers beyond the series, taking on leading roles, becoming producers, and working in film, TV, and streaming. Their current wealth is a result of long, productive careers, strategic choices, and consistent work on major Hollywood projects.

This article explores the careers of prominent actors from the ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise, looking at their work beyond the films, how much they earned, and their overall business strategies. From the original movies to the recent, visually advanced installments, these actors used their roles to build successful careers, often securing leading parts, profit-sharing deals, and opportunities to work on internationally popular projects.

15. Owen Teague

Owen Teague stars in ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ as Noa, marking a significant step in his career after appearing in ‘It’ and ‘The Stand’. Taking on a leading role in a major film like this is likely to increase his visibility and earning potential. He also continues to work on smaller, critically-acclaimed projects, which helps build his reputation and opens doors to future roles.

Before landing the lead role in ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’, the actor had already established himself with consistent work in TV shows and movies that continued to earn money online. This combination of work provides a steady income through initial paychecks and ongoing royalties, particularly as shows and movies become available on different streaming platforms and are sold for broadcast internationally.

14. Kevin Durand

Kevin Durand plays Proximus Caesar in ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ and is known for his roles in popular genre films like ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ and ‘The Strain’. Actors who specialize in character roles and have experience in action films often find steady work in supporting roles on both film and TV, providing a consistent income. His experience in big-budget, visually-driven productions also helps his work appeal to audiences worldwide, increasing its potential for international distribution.

Durand consistently works in television and often returns for multiple appearances in shows, which provides a steady income. He also appears in popular film series and moderately budgeted thrillers, creating a variety of projects that continue to generate revenue through streaming and international distribution.

13. Freida Pinto

Freida Pinto is known for her roles in films like ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ and her breakout performance in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. She’s worked on a variety of projects, from big-budget movies to independent films shown at festivals around the world. In addition to acting, Pinto also earns income through advertising and fashion collaborations, which is common for actors who are well-known internationally.

She’s worked on films like ‘Love Sonia’ and ‘Only’ in multiple countries. This international experience allows her to build a stable income through initial payments, continued royalties, and licensing deals for popular films.

12. Toby Kebbell

Toby Kebbell is known for his work bringing complex characters to life in major franchises like ‘Planet of the Apes’ (in ‘Dawn’ and ‘War’) and ‘Kong: Skull Island’. He also appeared in ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’. Kebbell skillfully combines traditional acting with performance capture technology, making him a popular choice for big-budget films. These kinds of movies often generate significant revenue worldwide, leading to ongoing income from royalties and residuals.

Kebbell is now working on both TV shows and limited series, in addition to films, which is helping to build his career. This mix of projects provides a more consistent income, with money continuing to come in from streaming and television reruns.

11. Judy Greer

Judy Greer is a prolific actress known for her roles in the ‘Planet of the Apes’ films, as well as popular movies like ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘Ant-Man’. She also consistently appears on television, which provides her with a steady income and ongoing earnings from various sources.

As a film buff, I’ve always admired Greer’s hustle! It’s not just about being in front of the camera – she directs and even publishes her work, which is smart because it opens up so many different income streams. Between voice acting, commercials, and consistently landing roles in films and TV, she really maximizes her earnings through both the *variety* of projects she takes on and just how *much* she works. It’s a great example of a multi-faceted career in the industry.

10. Steve Zahn

Steve Zahn is known for playing Bad Ape in ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ and has appeared in acclaimed films like ‘That Thing You Do’ and ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ as well as the popular series ‘The White Lotus.’ He skillfully balances serious, award-winning roles with lighter, comedic parts, making him successful both with critics and audiences.

Appearing on TV shows and doing voiceover work provides a consistent income stream. Plus, his involvement in successful TV series and movies that people still watch on streaming platforms helps ensure his financial security for years to come.

9. Jason Clarke

I’ve always been impressed with Jason Clarke. He’s fantastic in ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,’ but he’s also a really versatile actor who’s been in everything from serious dramas like ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ to big action movies like ‘Terminator Genisys.’ It’s smart – he clearly balances those big studio paychecks with roles in more character-focused films, which hopefully means he also benefits from the film’s success later on, too.

Clarke earns more money because he regularly appears in TV miniseries and shows made with international partners. These projects often continue to generate income over time as they are licensed to different countries and streaming services.

8. Keri Russell

Keri Russell is known for her roles in both ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ and the critically acclaimed series ‘The Americans’. Her consistent work in high-quality television provides a steady income, and her film appearances, including franchise movies and well-regarded projects, further boost her earnings. Successfully moving between television and film has helped her maintain a strong presence with both viewers and industry professionals.

She earns money from acting in plays and providing voice-overs, adding to her income. The continued success of her show, ‘The Americans,’ on streaming services still brings in payments, and new TV roles and movies ensure a steady flow of income.

7. Tim Roth

Tim Roth is well-known for playing General Thade in the 2001 film ‘Planet of the Apes,’ and he has a successful career with roles in popular movies like ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Rob Roy,’ as well as the TV series ‘Lie to Me.’ His work in both television and film is financially beneficial; starring roles in TV shows earn significant income per episode, especially over several seasons, and his appearances in well-regarded films continue to generate income through royalties and repeat showings.

Roth’s involvement in international films and streaming shows allows him to earn money from audiences around the world, not just in the United States. His films often appear at prestigious festivals and also gain wider popularity, giving him both immediate payments and a share of the profits later on.

6. James Franco

James Franco stars in ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ and has acted in many popular films, including ‘127 Hours’, ‘Pineapple Express’, and the ‘Spider-Man’ movies. He’s also worked behind the camera as a director and producer, which gives him the potential to earn even more money through production fees and a share of the profits.

Franco continues to earn income from his popular past projects through ongoing payments from cable and streaming services. He also boosts his earnings with writing and teaching, receiving payments upfront for his work and fees for appearances and programs.

5. Andy Serkis

Andy Serkis is best known for his role as Caesar in the recent ‘Planet of the Apes’ trilogy. He’s also moved into directing, with films like ‘Mowgli’ and ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage,’ and has worked as a producer. Beyond Caesar, he’s famous for his motion capture work as Gollum in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and Supreme Leader Snoke in ‘Star Wars,’ making him a key figure in several major film franchises.

In addition to his acting, Andy Serkis earns considerable income from his performance capture studio and directing work. Recent roles in popular series like ‘The Batman’ and ‘Andor’ ensure he remains a prominent figure in both international cinema and successful streaming content.

4. Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter is known for her roles in films like the 2001 ‘Planet of the Apes,’ as well as popular series such as ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘The Crown,’ and acclaimed films like ‘The King’s Speech.’ Consistent work in successful franchises and critically praised projects often leads to ongoing income and helps actors secure future roles.

She’s known for her work in popular historical and fantasy movies and shows, which continue to attract viewers on streaming platforms and TV. She also earns income through voice acting, audiobook narration, and stage performances, giving her a diverse and stable financial situation.

3. Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson played the Colonel in ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ and is known for his roles in popular movies like ‘Zombieland’ and ‘The Hunger Games,’ as well as the TV series ‘True Detective.’ Starring in big franchises and high-quality television shows can be very lucrative, especially with contracts that cover multiple films or seasons.

Harrelson consistently works on a variety of projects – from funny movies to serious dramas and action-packed films – and stays busy across different types of media. He also earns money through producing and appearing in TV series, which helps support him between big movie releases.

2. Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is joining the cast of ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.’ He’s a highly recognizable actor, famous for roles in films like ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy, the ‘Harry Potter’ series, and ‘Darkest Hour.’ His success in major franchises, along with winning an Academy Award, gives him significant power when negotiating pay and potential bonuses. Plus, his popular films continue to be shown around the world, providing him with a steady income from royalties.

Gary Oldman consistently works on high-profile TV shows and movies, providing him with a reliable income. He also earns money through voice acting, endorsements, and sometimes producing, in addition to his regular pay as an actor.

1. Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg first gained recognition in the 2001 film ‘Planet of the Apes’ and went on to become a major star through franchises like ‘Transformers’ and films such as ‘Ted’ and ‘The Departed’. Beyond acting, he’s a prolific producer of both movies and TV shows, including several successful reality and documentary series, which provide a consistent revenue stream and potential for profit sharing.

Mark Wahlberg has built a substantial fortune through a variety of businesses, including fitness and food/drink brands. Add to that his consistent work in hit movies and his deals as a producer, and he’s become the wealthiest actor associated with the ‘Planet of the Apes’ films.

Let us know in the comments who you think should be on this list, and tell us if you think anyone should be ranked higher or lower.

2025-09-26 21:17