Pirates of the Caribbean Rich List: The Wealthiest Actors on the High Seas, Ranked
The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ saga has launched some of the most memorable performances in modern blockbuster history, and it brought together a sprawling cast that spans rock legends, Oscar winners, and global screen icons. Away from the cannons and cursed treasure, many of these stars built fortunes through smart contracts, prolific careers across film and television, and business ventures that keep paying long after the credits roll.
This countdown looks at actors who appeared anywhere in the franchise and orders them by overall career wealth, not by how much they earned only from the pirate films. Cameos count, because a single day on set can still belong to a career that moves arenas, packs theaters, and sells catalogs worldwide.
15. Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham appears in ‘On Stranger Tides’ and returns in ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ as Scrum, a quick thinking deckhand who bounces between crews. His work in the series added studio scale exposure to a career already rooted in critically acclaimed projects that travel well on streaming and cable syndication.
Outside the seas he builds steady income through roles in ‘Boardwalk Empire’, ‘The Irishman’, and ‘Boiling Point’, along with British film and television that enjoy long afterlife across international platforms. He also produces select projects, which can add fees and participation that grow as titles find new audiences.
14. Naomie Harris
Naomie Harris brought mystique to Tia Dalma, a key figure in ‘Dead Man’s Chest’ and ‘At World’s End’. Those appearances landed during a period when her profile was climbing worldwide, which helps lift quotes and opportunities across studio films and prestige dramas.
Her primary earnings muscle comes from high visibility work in the Bond films ‘Skyfall’, ‘Spectre’, and ‘No Time To Die’, along with awards recognition for ‘Moonlight’. Brand partnerships, speaking engagements, and a consistent presence in internationally distributed films underpin a diversified career portfolio.
13. Ian McShane
Ian McShane’s Blackbeard in ‘On Stranger Tides’ added a formidable villain to the canon. His seasoned status meant front end compensation for studio projects plus the kind of ancillary residuals that accumulate over time.
He built long term wealth through leading roles in ‘Deadwood’ and ‘American Gods’, along with voice work in family franchises such as ‘Kung Fu Panda’. Voice and television residuals provide reliable income streams, and his continued casting in event television keeps the pipeline active.
12. Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce portrayed Governor Weatherby Swann through the original trilogy, giving the series its patrician authority figure. Franchise scale roles like this often include strong terms for residuals because of the enduring performance of the films in home entertainment and streaming rotations.
Beyond the Caribbean he commands steady returns from stage to screen, including ‘The Two Popes’ and his later run on ‘The Crown’. Long standing theater credentials add touring and limited run income, while prestige television increases global recognition that feeds future contracts.
11. Bill Nighy
Bill Nighy delivered Davy Jones with performance capture in ‘Dead Man’s Chest’ and ‘At World’s End’, work that pulls feature level pay while adding royalty earning exposure across the franchise’s global formats. Effects heavy characters remain in high demand on merchandise and special features that continue to circulate.
He has enjoyed decades of consistent film work such as ‘Love Actually’, ‘Underworld’, ‘Detective Pikachu’, and ‘Living’. Combined with frequent television projects and audiobook narration, that output creates a wide base of residuals and appearance fees that accumulate year after year.
10. Geoffrey Rush
Geoffrey Rush’s Captain Barbossa is a pillar of the franchise across multiple films, which means repeated upfront compensation along with participation tied to ancillary markets. Recurring roles in globally distributed series tend to create a compounding effect as each title cycles through platforms.
His wealth is anchored by an Academy Award winning career with films like ‘Shine’ and ‘The King’s Speech’, plus stage work that commands premium rates on tour and in limited engagements. International co productions and festival titles expand his reach and open doors to long term catalog earnings.
9. Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem joined as Captain Salazar in ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’, a marquee antagonist role that benefits from franchise scale budgets and marketing. That visibility supports premium pricing on future projects and strengthens back catalog performance across global services.
His career foundation includes ‘No Country for Old Men’, ‘Skyfall’, and ‘Dune’, along with Spanish language films that sell well in Europe and Latin America. This bilingual slate spreads risk across markets and keeps a healthy mix of studio paychecks and auteur driven projects that deliver awards season bonuses and long tail value.
8. Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner anchors the original trilogy and appears again in ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’. His first wave of franchise work came during a peak period that included ‘The Lord of the Rings’, stacking two global phenomena that continue to generate residuals and licensing income.
Beyond films he has led series like ‘Carnival Row’ and participates in brand partnerships that align with travel and lifestyle products. Real estate holdings and selective producing give him additional leverage, while international fan demand supports conventions and appearance circuits that add incremental revenue.
7. Stellan Skarsgård
Stellan Skarsgård’s Bootstrap Bill Turner appears in ‘Dead Man’s Chest’ and ‘At World’s End’, ensuring a presence in two of the series’ biggest earners. Character roles like these are highly durable in replay and keep royalty streams active across platforms.
His broader portfolio is deep and diverse, including ‘Chernobyl’ on television and major films like ‘Dune’, ‘Mamma Mia’, and multiple entries in the ‘Thor’ arc of the Marvel saga. The combination of prestige limited series and blockbuster franchises creates recurring checks from multiple ecosystems that tend to perform well over long horizons.
6. Penélope Cruz
Penélope Cruz joined ‘On Stranger Tides’ as Angelica, pairing a new lead with established characters. Star casting at this level typically carries premium fees, and global press tours translate into new contracts with fashion and luxury partners.
Her wealth base spans acclaimed films like ‘Volver’ and ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ along with studio projects in both English and Spanish. She has longstanding relationships with maisons in fashion and beauty, and collaborations such as her jewelry work with Swarovski add design income and licensing value.
5. Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann is central to the original trilogy and her short return in ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ kept the character present for new audiences. Early franchise earnings came alongside awards attention, which helped set high quotes for later period dramas and prestige films.
She has maintained a signature partnership with Chanel, fronting major fragrance and fashion campaigns that pay well and renew over time. A steady slate of respected films such as ‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘Atonement’, and ‘The Imitation Game’ provides ongoing residuals and keeps demand strong for global brand work and festival appearances.
4. Chow Yun fat
Chow Yun fat appeared as Sao Feng in ‘At World’s End’, bringing a major Asian box office draw into the series. Participation in a worldwide hit adds to an already valuable library presence that continues to circulate across Asia and beyond.
His wealth is powered by decades of leading roles in films like ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, ‘A Better Tomorrow’, and ‘The Killer’, along with mainstream Hollywood entries. He is known for a modest lifestyle and philanthropy, yet the combined impact of regional blockbusters and international releases gives him a substantial long term earnings footprint.
3. Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow sits at the center of the entire franchise, which brought significant upfront fees along with back end participation as the series expanded. Reissues, theme park tie ins, and global streaming keep those films active, which supports ongoing residuals.
Beyond the pirate ship he has starred in multibillion dollar properties, headlined tours with the band Hollywood Vampires, and built lucrative partnerships such as the long running Dior Sauvage campaign. He also sells artwork and maintains producing credits, creating multiple channels that support overall wealth.
2. Keith Richards
Keith Richards appears as Captain Teague in ‘At World’s End’ and ‘On Stranger Tides’, a cameo that nods to the swagger behind Jack Sparrow’s inspiration. While his screen time is brief, his broader career brings in substantial touring revenue and catalog royalties that dwarf most film checks.
He co wrote a vast list of Rolling Stones hits, which means recurring publishing and performance income from radio, streaming, film syncs, and live performance. Book sales from ‘Life’ and premium merchandise add to the mix, and the continued demand for stadium tours strengthens cash flow across many regions.
1. Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney shows up in ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ as Uncle Jack, a cameo that connects the films to pop culture beyond cinema. The appearance is a small note next to a career that includes one of the most valuable song catalogs on the planet and touring that regularly sets box office records.
Through MPL Communications he controls rights to a large publishing portfolio that earns across streaming, radio, film syncs, and stage productions. Solo releases, legacy projects from The Beatles and Wings, and global touring combine with merchandise and licensing to create a diversified income engine with unmatched durability.
Share your own ranking of the swashbuckling stars in the comments and tell us who you think should sail higher or lower on the list.