Many would consider the glamorous life of a movie star to be ideal – with fame, fortune, and never ending parties. Yet, there is one often overlooked side of an actor’s life. For many of today’s top actors, the day-to-day primarily consists of hard work.
In order to stay in the public eye, an actor must take big roles. Every project is a gamble, however, and it is not always clear which movies will go on to become hits. For this reason, some of the most recognizable names in Hollywood also have some of the longest filmographies. John Goodman has 153 acting credits to his name. James Franco – more than 25 years his junior – has 141 credits. Samuel L. Jackson tops our list, with 175 reported acting credits.
Click here to see the 25 busiest actors in Hollywood.
Click here to see our methodology.
All these roles result in only a handful of top films. They result in even fewer major awards. Of the 25 actors on our list, only two – Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence – have won Academy Awards.
Of course, these heavy hitters can find comfort in the vast monetary compensation they receive for their work. In 2016, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson earned $64.5 million, making him the world’s top-paid actor, according to Forbes. The highest-paid female actor was Jennifer Lawrence, who made $46 million.
24/7 Wall St. has identified the 25 busiest actors working in Hollywood today, based on the number of appearances in the most popular film and television series over the past five years.
Source: Paul McKinnon / Shutterstock.com
25. Jason Statham
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: The Transporter
> Total lifetime acting credits: 46
[in-text-ad]
Source: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com
24. Michael Fassbender
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Inglourious Basterds
> Total lifetime acting credits: 55
24/7 Wall St.
Source: BAKOUNINE / Shutterstock.com
23. Amy Adams
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Arrival
> Total lifetime acting credits: 56
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
22. Scarlett Johansson
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Lost in Translation
> Total lifetime acting credits: 57
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: RoidRanger / Shutterstock.com
21. Ryan Reynolds
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Deadpool
> Total lifetime acting credits: 68
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
20. Owen Wilson
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Midnight in Paris
> Total lifetime acting credits: 69
[in-text-ad]
Source: Krista Kennell / Shutterstock.com
19. Joel Edgerton
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Warrior
> Total lifetime acting credits: 71
Source: Ira Bostic / Shutterstock.com
18. Kevin Hart
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
> Total lifetime acting credits: 75
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
17. Paul Rudd
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Ant-Man
> Total lifetime acting credits: 108
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Rene Teichmann / Shutterstock.com
16. James Franco
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: 127 Hours
> Total lifetime acting credits: 141
Source: vipflash / Shutterstock.com
15. John Goodman
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 10
> Known for: Monsters, Inc.
> Total lifetime acting credits: 153
[in-text-ad]
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
14. Jennifer Lawrence
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 11
> Known for: The Hunger Games
> Total lifetime acting credits: 30
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
13. Chris Pine
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 11
> Known for: Star Trek
> Total lifetime acting credits: 48
Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com
12. Channing Tatum
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 11
> Known for: 21 Jump Street
> Total lifetime acting credits: 51
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: PAN Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
11. Matthew McConaughey
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 11
> Known for: Interstellar
> Total lifetime acting credits: 64
Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com
10. Steve Carell
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 11
> Known for: The Office
> Total lifetime acting credits: 73
[in-text-ad]
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
9. Kristen Wiig
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 11
> Known for: The Martian
> Total lifetime acting credits: 91
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
8. Samuel L. Jackson
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 11
> Known for: Pulp Fiction
> Total lifetime acting credits: 175
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
7. Zac Efron
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 12
> Known for: 17 Again
> Total lifetime acting credits: 48
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
6. Bradley Cooper
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 12
> Known for: Silver Linings Playbook
> Total lifetime acting credits: 59
Source: taniavolobueva / Shutterstock.com
5. John Cusack
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 12
> Known for: Being John Malkovich
> Total lifetime acting credits: 85
[in-text-ad]
Source: Rene Teichmann / Shutterstock.com
4. Mark Wahlberg
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 13
> Known for: Boogie Nights
> Total lifetime acting credits: 26
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
3. Anna Kendrick
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 13
> Known for: Up in the Air
> Total lifetime acting credits: 47
Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com
2. Robert De Niro
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 13
> Known for: Goodfellas
> Total lifetime acting credits: 115
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
1. Dwayne Johnson
> Appearances in top film and TV since 2012: 14
> Known for: Moana
> Total lifetime acting credits: 98
Methodology:
To determine the 25 busiest actors and actresses in Hollywood, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the number of major feature films and television series each performer has starred in since the beginning of 2012 as listed by IMDb. Only movies with more than 10,000 user reviews and television series with more than 5,000 reviews were counted. To be considered one of the film’s or series’ stars, performers must be listed among the four top actors or actresses on the film or series’ IMDb star listing. Ties were broken using total acting credits. The highest rated film or television series each performer appeared in, total acting credits, and award data also came from IMDb.
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
