The 1980s were a period of rising stars and even steeper salaries. With competing budgets and blockbusters being released every year, the 80s were a golden decade for film production, resulting in actors earning more than they ever had before.
But despite the fame and fortune, some of the actors on this list still managed to lose it all. Here are the highest-paid actors for each year of the 1980s and where they are now, from Clint Eastwood to Bill Cosby.
© Getty Images1980-1982 - Burt Reynolds
The 1980s marked the peak of Burt Reynolds’ acting career as one of the 1980s highest-paid actors, earning $5 million for his role as J.J. McClure in The Cannonball Run.
But despite being one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors in the 80s, Burt Reynolds filed for bankruptcy in 1996 after falling into $10 million of debt after failed business investments and an expensive divorce. He died in 2018, aged 82.
© Getty Images for AFI1983-1984 - Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood is the second actor on this list who managed to straddle the highest-earning spot for two consecutive years. In 1983, he both starred in and directed Sudden Impact, estimated to have made him around $30 million. In 1984, the actor was paid $5 million for his role as Lieutenant Speer in City Heat and also appeared as Wes Block in Tightrope.
Now 96 years old, the actor has stepped away from the Hollywood scene with his last project, the 2024 legal thriller, Juror #2.
© WireImage1985-1986 & 1988 - Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is estimated to have made around $12 million from Rambo: First Blood Part II, with the film earning $300 million in box office sales.
He remained the highest-earning actor the following year and is estimated to have earned $74 million across 1986 and 1987, earning $12 million for Rocky IV.
At 80 years old, the actor continues to be involved in acting projects, including The Expendables, and has a biopic named I Play Rocky set to arrive in cinemas this November. Beyond acting, the star also has a Paramount+ reality television series with his family, The Family Stallone.
After producing and starring in Rambo: First Blood Part III, the actor took home a $16 million paycheck.
1987 - Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby earned $84 million across 1986 and 1987, earning $1 million per episode of The Cosby Show.
Yet despite his success in the 80s, the actor served prison time for sexual assault between 2018 and 2021 and recently lost a sexual assault lawsuit against Donna Motsinger earlier this year. While the star is still worth around $50 million, he has lost much of his money in lawsuits and damages.
© NBCUniversal via Getty Images1989 - Eddie Murphy
At just 28 years old, Eddie Murphy was the highest-paid actor of 1989, with a two-year total of $57 million according to Forbes Magazine. The same year, the young actor produced and starred in On Harlem Nights featuring Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx and Danny Aiello.
The actor is now 65 years old, a father of ten children, and worth $200 million. He is set to appear in Shrek 5 in June next year.
