Terminator Rich List: The Wealthiest Actors in the Time-Traveling War, Ranked

The Terminator saga has brought together a surprising mix of blockbuster headliners, prestige television mainstays, and multihyphenate performers whose earnings go far beyond one franchise. This list looks across acting paydays, back end participation, directing and producing fees, music and publishing income, brand partnerships, and long running business ventures to see who amassed the largest fortunes while also stepping into the world of killer machines.

It spans the entire franchise, so film and television alumni both count. Roles in the series range from leads to memorable supporting turns, but the numbers that matter here come from the full arc of each career. Presented as a countdown, here are the wealthiest performers connected to the Terminator universe.

Mackenzie Davis

Mackenzie Davis headlined ‘Terminator Dark Fate’ and added that studio salary to a steady run of film and television work, including ‘Halt and Catch Fire’, ‘Blade Runner 2049’, ‘The Martian’, and ‘Station Eleven’. That combination places her among the newer franchise names who built earnings across prestige projects and major releases.

Outside the franchise, Davis works in both English language and Canadian productions, splits time between film and limited series, and maintains a slate that keeps income consistent. Voice roles, festival appearances, and brand work tied to campaign tours add incremental revenue to her acting base.

Jai Courtney

Jai Courtney played Kyle Reese in ‘Terminator Genisys’ and leveraged that studio lead into other franchise paydays with ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘The Divergent Series’. Earlier turns in ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ and ‘Jack Reacher’ established him with global audiences and built a resume that supports steady quote growth.

Courtney’s income stream blends studio features, Australian projects, and television limited series. Publicity campaigns, convention appearances, and occasional voice and game work complement on screen earnings and help sustain his place on this list.

Jason Clarke

Jason Clarke appeared as John Connor in ‘Terminator Genisys’, following prominent roles in ‘Zero Dark Thirty’, ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’, and ‘Everest’. His career centers on mid to big budget features with reliable supporting or lead paychecks across studio and indie distributors.

Clarke adds stage work and prestige television to his film income, which smooths year to year variability. International co productions and consistent festival titles keep him active in markets that pay well for experienced leads, anchoring his overall earnings.

Robert Patrick

Robert Patrick became globally known as the T 1000 in ‘Terminator 2 Judgment Day’, then built a long television career with ‘The X Files’, ‘The Unit’, ‘Scorpion’, and ‘Peacemaker’. That volume of episodes translates into sustained series income and residuals that compound over time.

Patrick augments screen work with voice acting, touring appearances, and franchise conventions linked to both science fiction and action catalogs. Occasional producing credits and recurring roles on ensemble dramas keep his annual earnings steady.

J. K. Simmons

J. K. Simmons joined ‘Terminator Genisys’ as Detective O Brien and brings a deep filmography that includes ‘Whiplash’, ‘Spider Man’, and ‘Palm Springs’. His awards profile supports strong quotes for supporting roles in both studio tentpoles and prestige releases.

Simmons also earns from long running advertising campaigns that provide reliable residual income. Animation and video game roles contribute additional streams, and frequent television guest arcs maintain consistent visibility and pay.

Lena Headey

Lena Headey led ‘Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ and later drew major television earnings with ‘Game of Thrones’. Feature roles in ‘Dredd’ and ‘300’ and steady voice work across animation added to her income base.

Headey’s television contracts placed her among the higher paid dramatic leads of her era, with bonuses and escalators common in later seasons. Convention circuits, licensing appearances, and producing partnerships continue to diversify her revenue.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke portrayed Sarah Connor in ‘Terminator Genisys’ and built substantial wealth through ‘Game of Thrones’, where escalating per episode rates and final season contracts significantly raised her earnings. Features such as ‘Solo A Star Wars Story’ and ‘Me Before You’ added major studio paydays.

Clarke’s portfolio includes brand partnerships in beauty and fashion and a mix of film and streaming projects that keep income robust. Work in franchise adjacent universes, including a Marvel television role, sustains her commercial profile across multiple markets.

Matt Smith

Matt Smith appeared in ‘Terminator Genisys’ and is widely recognized for ‘Doctor Who’, ‘The Crown’, and ‘House of the Dragon’. Lead and prestige supporting roles across flagship series have delivered strong episodic pay, international royalties, and steady convention demand.

Smith supplements screen work with stage performances and audiobook narration, which broaden his revenue sources. Feature roles in ‘Last Night in Soho’ and ‘Morbius’ further contribute to a balanced earning mix across genres and formats.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce Dallas Howard co starred in ‘Terminator Salvation’ and significantly expanded her earnings with the ‘Jurassic World’ trilogy. Behind the camera, she directs episodes of ‘The Mandalorian’ and other series, adding director fees and residuals to her acting income.

Howard’s work spans studio features, streaming originals, and documentary projects. Voice acting for animation and branded storytelling, along with producing partnerships, round out a portfolio that combines on camera and creative leadership pay.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes joined ‘Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines’ and achieved major television earnings as the lead of ‘Homeland’. Earlier successes with ‘My So Called Life’ and films such as ‘Romeo Juliet’ established her long term marketability.

Danes’ series contracts included per episode escalators, producing credits, and bonuses common to long running dramas. Audiobook narration, limited series roles, and theater returns maintain additional income while keeping her brand active between larger projects.

Common

Common appeared in ‘Terminator Salvation’ and brings in substantial income from music, touring, and publishing. Film roles in ‘John Wick Chapter 2’, ‘Selma’, and ‘Suicide Squad’ expand his revenue beyond recording and performance.

He adds earnings through brand partnerships, a production banner, and book publishing. Soundtrack contributions and voice work create recurring royalties, and his cross platform profile keeps offers active across film, television, and live events.

Sam Worthington

Sam Worthington starred in ‘Terminator Salvation’ and reached his largest paydays through the ‘Avatar’ films, where lead roles and franchise longevity generated significant earnings. Additional action titles like ‘Clash of the Titans’ and ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ contributed strong quotes.

Worthington’s income is amplified by participation in multiple ‘Avatar’ installments and related promotional and licensing activity. Streaming features, television miniseries, and global ad campaigns provide steady supplementary revenue between major releases.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter appeared in ‘Terminator Salvation’ and maintains high earning power through roles in ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, and ‘The Crown’. Her mix of franchise work and prestige television supports strong fees and long tail residuals.

She adds voice acting for animation and audiobooks, along with stage work and fashion collaborations. Frequent collaborations with major directors keep her in demand, and her catalog of globally syndicated titles delivers ongoing royalties.

Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton originated Sarah Connor in ‘The Terminator’ and returned for ‘Terminator 2 Judgment Day’ and ‘Terminator Dark Fate’. Lead roles in the franchise delivered sizable salaries and continuing residuals that anchor her career earnings.

Hamilton’s television success with ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and steady guest arcs across drama series add long term income. Public appearances, licensing connected to franchise anniversaries, and memoir and speaking engagements provide additional revenue beyond screen work.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale starred in ‘Terminator Salvation’ and amassed most of his wealth as the lead of ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy, with large upfront fees and performance bonuses. Acclaimed turns in ‘American Hustle’, ‘The Big Short’, and ‘Ford v Ferrari’ sustained top tier quotes across awards seasons.

Bale’s earnings include profit participation on select titles, strategic choices in studio and prestige projects, and occasional producing roles. Global campaigns for major films and careful scheduling keep his workload selective while maintaining premium compensation.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger leads this list through a combination of blockbuster paydays, lucrative back end deals, and decades of business income. The ‘Terminator’ films, ‘Twins’, and other hits delivered profit shares, while early investments in real estate and fitness ventures built substantial wealth well beyond acting.

His portfolio includes the Arnold Sports Festival, publishing and fitness licensing, and a long tenure as California governor that raised his global profile and brand value. Ongoing screen roles, executive producing, and international endorsements continue to generate significant revenue.

Share who surprised you and who you think should make the cut in the comments.