The top 10 highest-paid actresses in the world

Forbes's annual rich list names Sofia Vergara as the world's highest-paid actress for the first time

10. Viola Davis ($15.5 million). Reuters

9. Elisabeth Moss ($16 million). EPA

8. Ellen Pompeo ($19 million). Amy Sussman / Invision / AP

7. Nicole Kidman ($22 million). Reuters

6. Emily Blunt ($22.5 million). AP

5. Meryl Streep ($24 million). EPA

4. Melissa McCarthy ($25 million). Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP File

3. Gal Gadot ($31.5 million). Reuters

2. Angelina Jolie ($35.5 million). EPA

1. Sofia Vergara ($43 million). AP

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara is the highest paid actress in the world, according to Forbes.

Vergara – who is also currently a judge on America's Got Talent – earned $43 million in salary and endorsements in the 12 months leading up to October 2020. She moved up from second place the previous year.

The 48-year-old Colombia-born actress earned $500,000 an episode for the final season of Emmy-winning Modern Family, which wrapped up earlier this year.

Forbes estimated she would earn "at least $10 million each season" for AGT, one of the most popular reality television competition shows in the United States.

The top 10 highest paid actresses in the world

1. Sofia Vergara - $43 million

2. Angelina Jolie - $35.5 million

3. Gal Gadot - $31.5 million

4. Melissa McCarthy - $25 million

5. Meryl Streep - $24 million

6. Emily Blunt - $22.5 million

7. Nicole Kidman - $22 million

8. Ellen Pompeo - $19 million

9. Elisabeth Moss - $16 million

10. Viola Davis - $15.5 million

The coronavirus pandemic paralysed Hollywood, forcing crews to stop production and shuttering movie theaters, so many big-budget films have been delayed.

Many film stars also make money by earning a share of the profits – meaning if movies are not released in theaters, their income plummets.

Nevertheless, Oscar winner Angelina Jolie came in second place on the Forbes list at $35 million.

But actresses who make most of their money from television and/or streaming services made up the bulk of the list.

Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot came in third at $31 million, but she made a chunk of her money from the Netflix film Red Notice.

Grey's Anatomy lead Ellen Pompeo was eighth at $19 million, and The Handmaid's Tale star Elisabeth Moss came in ninth at $16 million.

Another Oscar winner, Viola Davis, made her first appearance on the top 10 list.

The How To Get Away with Murder actress – who will soon star in Netflix's adaptation of the August Wilson play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom – came in 10th at $15.5 million.

Even the venerable Meryl Streep (fifth place) made most of her income in the past year from either films for streaming services or television roles.

In total, the top 10 paid actresses in the world in 2020 earned $254 million in the 12 months leading up to June, Forbes said. That was down 20 per cent from last year.

The top 10 highest paid actors made nearly double as much – almost $550 million – in the same period. Last month's list for the men was topped by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at $87.5 million.

Scroll below to see the 10 highest paid actors:

1. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson earned $87.5 million between June 1, 2019 to June 1, 2020, largely thanks to his role in upcoming Netflix film 'Red Notice'. Photo by Matthias Nareyek / Getty Images for Sony Pictures

2. Ryan Reynolds earned $71.5 million thanks to roles including Netflix's '6 Underground', which was partly filmed in the UAE. Getty

3. Mark Wahlberg earned $58 million thanks to his role in Netflix action comedy 'Spenser Confidential', which became the streaming platform's third-most-watched film. Getty Images

4. Ben Affleck returned to the big screen this year with 'The Way Back', which helped him earn $55 million over the year. Getty Images

5. Vin Diesel earned $54 million thanks to his ongoing role in the 'Fast and Furious' franchise, the latest of which was 'F9'. Getty Images

6. Akshay Kumar is the only Bollywood name to make the list, earning $48.5 million, largely down to product endorsements. Viacom

7. 'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is a newcomer to the list, earning $45.5 million. The filmed version of his Broadway smash hit premiered on Disney+ last month and received three times more views than Netflix's most streamed show. AP Photo

8. Will Smith earned $44.5 million over the year thanks to big cheques from upcoming roles including 'King Richard'. AFP

9. Adam Sandler earned $41 million, thanks in no small part to his role in 'Murder Mystery' which became Netflix's most streamed film of all time. Universal Pictures

10. Rounding off the top 10 is Jackie Chan, who earned $40 million thanks to hundreds of endorsement and licensing deals. Dubai Media Office