Celebrities can hit gold with the right projects and adulation of fans all over the world. Robert Downey Jr. has zoomed to the top spot of Forbes' list of highest-paid actors, earning $80 million during the 12-month period from June 1, 2014.
Playing charming billionaire inventor Tony Stark and his alter ego Iron Man alchemized Downey's career. The 50-year-old actor's reprisal of his superhero role in other Marvel films, notably "Avengers: Age of Ultron" which raked in gross earnings of over $1 billion in 40 countries (not to mention the forthcoming "Captain America: Civil War") buttressed his earnings, Forbes reported.
Downey has landed on top of the list of highest paid actors for three years in a row, beating some of Hollywood's A-listers including Tom Cruise, Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg, and several other bankable stars.
Indeed, suiting up for "Iron Man" has proven to be highly lucrative for Downey, who has had his share of career highs and lows, including the stage following bouts with substance abuse. Fondly remembered for leading man roles in films like the 1989 flick "Chances Are," Downey went on to star in drama, comedy and suspense movies.
In the music industry, "Bad Blood" singer Taylor Swift has paralleled the earnings of the "Iron Man" actor. Swift's "1989" album sales, tours and endorsements have propelled her to the top eight spot of highest earning celebrities. Taylor was eclipsed by other singing sensations Katy Perry, One Direction and Garth Brooks.
Perry's musical talent and entrepreneurial skill accounted for her huge earnings of $135 million for the same annual period. A huge chunk of Perry's earnings come from foreign markets, with 75 percent of her "Prismatic World Tour" events happening across the world, US Weekly reported.