Kristen Stewart Is Hollywood’s Highest Paid Actress

Stewart’s acting in the mega hit Twilight series (bite lip, furrow brow, repeat) shot her to the top of the list this year, with total estimated earnings of $34.5 million between May 2011 and May 2012. How could a 22-year-old have surpassed box office stalwarts like Cameron Diaz and Sandra Bullock (numbers 2 and 3 on the list, respectively)? According to Forbes, it’s because the actress is pretty much irreplaceable as Twilight‘s exsanguinated teenage heroine Bella Swan– which has allowed her to demand $12.5 million for each of the last two installments in the Twilight Saga as well as a slice of the profits.

Forbes‘ earnings estimates take into account “upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.” Diaz came in second for her highly profitably film Bad Teacher, which raked in $216 million at the international box office, despite costing only $20 million. Her other work this year in the films What to Expect Wen You’re Expecting and The Green Hornet earned her an estimated $34 million.
Adding to Stewart’s pile, and allowing her to edge out Diaz, was her star turn in this summer’s fantasy-action film Snow White and the Huntsman, which assured her place as the richest of them all in Hollywood. At least until next year.

The 22-year-old – who is dating her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson – is said to have banked around $ 34.5 million in the past 12 months from the vampire saga films.And adding to her earnings is her starring role in Snow White And The Huntsman (pictured), opposite Chris Hemsworth.Kristen’s estimated earnings dwarfed those of fellow Tinseltown stars who have been in the industry for longer, such as Angelina Jolie, who made around $20 million in the past year, Charlize Theron and Julia Roberts.

Cameron Diaz, who starred in comedy Bad Teacher and pregnancy comedy What To Expect When You’re Expecting, came a close second with earnings of around $34 million in the Forbes.com survey.

Meanwhile Sandra Bullock, who starred in Stephen Daldry’s post 9/11 drama Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close, took third place.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Meryl Streep, Kristen Wiig and Jennifer Aniston made up the rest of the top ten.

To determine the top earners, Forbes.com used estimates including pay from films, endorsements and advertising work.