Mission: Impossible Rich List: The Wealthiest Actors in the Action Franchise, Ranked
The ‘Mission: Impossible’ series has brought together a wide mix of stars from every corner of film and television. Many of them built fortunes through long careers, smart contracts, and work that stretches far beyond a single franchise. This list looks at the performers who appeared in these movies and highlights the work that helped them build significant wealth.
Figures shift over time and individual deals vary, yet certain patterns are clear. Producer credits, back end participation, recurring franchise roles, and successful work on major shows or other blockbuster films all add up. Here are the faces from the ‘Mission: Impossible’ world whose careers and business decisions have translated into serious money.
15. Vanessa Kirby
Vanessa Kirby entered the franchise as Alanna Mitsopolis and returned in later installments with a larger footprint. Her work in ‘Fallout’ and ‘Dead Reckoning Part One’ placed her alongside the core ensemble and expanded her international profile.
Outside the franchise, she gained global visibility playing Princess Margaret in ‘The Crown’ and headlined the drama ‘Pieces of a Woman’. Roles in action projects such as ‘Hobbs and Shaw’ and steady work across film and prestige television have supported a fast rising career portfolio.
14. Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust became central to the modern era of the series with major roles in ‘Rogue Nation’, ‘Fallout’, and ‘Dead Reckoning Part One’. Continued appearances kept her tied to the brand through multiple global releases.
Beyond the IMF, she reached new audiences with ‘Dune’ and broad family hits like ‘The Greatest Showman’. A consistent run of studio films and streaming features has given her a diverse income base across genres and markets.
13. Hayley Atwell
Hayley Atwell joined as Grace in ‘Dead Reckoning Part One’ and was positioned for ongoing involvement as the story continued. The role added a high profile action credit to a resume already known to global audiences.
Her broader earnings include the Marvel saga with ‘Captain America’ and the series ‘Agent Carter’, plus voice work in animated entries tied to that universe. Continued leads in film and television, appearances on the West End, and brand partnerships contribute to a balanced career income.
12. Thandiwe Newton
Thandiwe Newton appeared in ‘Mission: Impossible II’ as Nyah Nordoff Hall, adding a major action title early in the series run. The part connected her to a franchise that consistently performs in global markets.
She expanded earning power with flagship television like ‘Westworld’ and steady studio films. Awards recognition, international campaigns, and a long list of credits across independent and commercial projects have supported durable career value.
11. Ving Rhames
Ving Rhames has been a franchise constant as Luther Stickell with appearances that span the series. Recurring roles across multiple entries provide ongoing checks tied to worldwide distribution.
His income sources include standout work in ‘Pulp Fiction’, comedies, voiceover campaigns, and television movies. The combination of memorable supporting parts and reliable character work has produced consistent earnings over decades.
10. Michelle Monaghan
Michelle Monaghan joined the series in ‘Mission: Impossible III’ as Julia Meade and returned for key appearances in later installments. The character’s connection to Ethan Hunt kept her presence meaningful through multiple films.
She built additional wealth through leading roles in series like ‘True Detective’ and ‘The Path’ along with a steady flow of studio and indie films. Regular television work and mid budget thrillers have provided reliable income between higher visibility projects.
9. Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg’s Benji Dunn started in ‘Mission: Impossible III’ and became part of the core team from ‘Ghost Protocol’ onward. The character’s continued involvement across several sequels ensures ongoing participation in a global franchise.
Pegg’s wider portfolio includes starring roles and writing credits in the ‘Cornetto Trilogy’ and a key part in the ‘Star Trek’ reboots, including co writing ‘Star Trek Beyond’. Voice roles, producing work, and recurring appearances in genre hits broaden his earning streams.
8. Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett appeared as CIA Director Erika Sloane in ‘Fallout’, adding the franchise to a long list of high profile credits. The role aligned with her reputation for leadership characters in big budget productions.
Her broader wealth draws from decades of film and television, including acclaimed turns in ‘Black Panther’ and its sequel. Leading network dramas, producing work, and long term industry relationships contribute to strong annual earnings and syndication benefits.
7. Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne played Theodore Brassel in ‘Mission: Impossible III’, bringing an established presence to the IMF world. The part added another commercial title to a resume that already included large scale franchises.
Major income sources include the ‘Matrix’ series and long running television such as ‘CSI’ and ‘Black ish’. Producing credits, theater roots, and consistent studio features have created multiple revenue lanes across screens and stages.
6. Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill’s August Walker in ‘Fallout’ delivered a prominent antagonist role that connected him to the series at a peak moment. The film’s global performance placed him in front of audiences well beyond his existing fan base.
Cavill’s earnings are anchored by his run as Superman and his lead role in ‘The Witcher’. Additional work in action titles, brand endorsements, and appearances at major fan events strengthen a diversified income picture.
5. Jon Voight
Jon Voight appeared in the original ‘Mission: Impossible’ as Jim Phelps, linking the films to the legacy of the earlier television series. The movie’s success launched a modern franchise and added another major title to his catalog.
Voight’s wealth reflects a long career that includes ‘Midnight Cowboy’, ‘Deliverance’, and ongoing television roles. Consistent work across eras, residuals from classic films, and continued screen time support significant long term earnings.
4. Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin served as Alan Hunley through ‘Rogue Nation’ and ‘Fallout’, adding a leadership role to the ensemble. The character’s arc across two entries anchored him within the modern cast.
Baldwin’s broader fortune includes long running television with ‘30 Rock’, frequent hosting duties, and numerous film roles. Producing, audiobook narration, and brand partnerships have also contributed to a sizable career income over many years.
3. Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner joined as William Brandt in ‘Ghost Protocol’ and returned in ‘Rogue Nation’, giving him two entries during a high growth phase for the series. The role kept him connected to a major action brand while his schedule expanded elsewhere.
His wealth is significantly supported by the Marvel saga through ‘The Avengers’ films and the series ‘Hawkeye’. Music releases, a documented real estate renovation business, and steady film work round out multiple income sources beyond a single franchise.
2. Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins appeared in ‘Mission: Impossible II’ as the IMF director who sets the mission in motion. The cameo level role tied one of the industry’s most decorated actors to the series during its early expansion.
His earnings over time come from a prolific film career that includes ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘The Father’, and event pictures such as entries in the ‘Transformers’ series. Art sales, composing work, and brand campaigns have also supported substantial overall wealth.
1. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise leads the franchise as Ethan Hunt and holds producer credit across the film series through his company. His deals commonly include back end participation tied to global box office, home entertainment, and ancillary markets, which multiplies earnings when a release performs.
Beyond IMF missions, he continues to anchor major hits like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ while maintaining control over development and production choices. Long relationships with studios, premium format box office performance, and international appeal combine to create the largest fortune connected to the franchise.
Share your picks in the comments and tell us which ‘Mission: Impossible’ stars you think should be on this rich list.