Academy Award winner Zoe Saldaña has officially become the highest-grossing actor of all time.
Saldaña who starred in the three highest-grossing films of all time – 2009’s Avatar, its 2022 sequel The Way of Water and 2019’s Avengers: Endgame – has achieved this history-making milestone thanks to December 2025’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, which has earned earned $1.23 billion to date.
Saldaña’s global box office haul totalled more than $14 billion in 2024, placing her as the third highest-grossing actor behind fellow MCU stars Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson.Now, with the third Avatar movie’s box office success her films have amassed a combined $15.47 billion, propelling her to the No 1 spot on the list.
On Tuesday, January 13, Saldaña took to social media to express her gratitude to everyone who has helped achieve this milestone.
Thanking her directors – including James Cameron, the Russo Brothers, James Gunn and J.J. Abrams – for seeing her potential, challenging and shaping her as an artist as well as sharing her appreciation for her supportive fans, she said : “I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today. An achievement made possible entirely, entirely by the incredible franchises and the collaborators that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of, to every director who placed their trust in me.”
Saldaña – who already made history as the first Dominican American to win an Academy Award – had a hugely successful year last year which saw her sweep accolades including a SAG award, BAFTA award, Golden Globe and Critics Choice award as well as winning the Oscar for best supporting actress in Emilia Pérez and earning prizes at the Cannes Film Festival for Jacques Audiard‘s musical.
With the stunning actor expected to return in role as Na’vi warrior Neytiri for both Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, Saldaña’s box office dominance is expected to continue for years to come.
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