Zoe Saldaña Becomes Highest-Grossing Actor of All Time

Academy Award winner Zoe Saldaña is officially the highest-grossing actor of all time, thanks to “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”

Saldaña has starred in the three highest-grossing films of all time — 2009’s “Avatar” and its 2022 sequel “The Way of Water,” which hold the No. 1 and 3 spots respectively, as well as 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” sandwiched at No. 2. She is also the first actress to appear in four movies that have generated more than $2 billion globally, including 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War.” In addition to “Avatar” and her other Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances as Gamora (she was in three “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies), Saldaña also portrayed Nyota Uhura in a “Star Trek” trilogy, which generated more than $1 billion worldwide.

As of 2024, Saldaña’s global box office haul totaled more than $14 billion, putting her as the third-highest-grossing actor behind fellow MCU stars Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. However, Saldaña was propelled to the No. 1 spot after this December’s “Avatar” threequel, which has earned $1.23 billion to date. Now her films have amassed a combined $15.47 billion, according to a tally by the Numbers.

On Tuesday evening, Saldaña posted a video to social media expressing her gratitude to all those who helped her achieve this milestone.

“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,” she said, grinning widely. “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 then shouted out “Star Trek” helmer J.J. Abrams, “Avengers” directors Joe and Anthony Russo, “Guardians” filmmaker James Gunn and most importantly, she said, “Avatar’s” James Cameron, “for believing my potential for seeing something in me that I have not always seen in myself, and for challenging me to always rise to the occasion. Your faith, your guidance and your vision, they shape not only these films, but me as an artist.”

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