Laughing all the way to the bank

ROBERT Downey Jr.

CURIOUS and possibly envious film fans want to know: Who are the stars who make the most money these days? Who’s laughing the loudest on his or her way to the bank? At the head of the prosperous line is Robert Downey Jr., who has definitely bounced back after his physically and career-debilitating addictions and failed rehabs.

The last one clearly worked, because Downey has not just made up for lost ground; he’s run all the way to the top of the stellar peak! He’s reported to have made a really cool and hot $80 million for his latest starrers, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Captain America: Civil War.”

Why is Downey favored so much by film producers and financiers? Very simply, he can be relied on to show and bring them the money! Like, “Age of Ultron” ended up grossing $1.4 billion at the box office!

Thus, Downey provides an inspiring example of the wisdom of not kicking a star when he’s down and always giving show biz luminaries a second or even fifth chance to reclaim lost luster—and clout at the tills!

Downey’s runner-up as top earner is similarly instructive and inspiring! Jackie Chan has had his share of ups and downs. In fact, not too long ago, he announced that he would no longer star in an action film, because he felt too old for such frisky shenanigans.

Well, excuse him for postponing that key career decision, because his latest starrer, “Dragon Blade,” turned out to be a hit that grossed $120 million in China alone—and helped add $50 million to his personal fortune (he’s also getting paid a lot for his participation in “Skiptrace” and “Kung Fu Panda 3.”)

In third place in male stars’ hit parade is another veteran star, Vin Diesel, with $47 million. The lesson to be learned from his career is that persistence eventually pays off.

Not too long ago, Diesel was regarded as a “B” star and even played support and villainous foe to bigger action leads. This season, however, he’s a certified top draw, with “Fast and the Furious 7” hitting the roof with a glorious eventual gross of $1.5 billion at the tills!

In very instructive contrast, the female film star race is paced by relatively young comers. Top draw and earner Jennifer Lawrence has been a star for only five years, but she’s already won more than her share of acting awards—and rules the annual earning roost or hen house with $52 million!

JENNIFER Lawrence

“Blame” it on her huge success with the “Hunger Games” film franchise and other popular starrers.

Her runner-up, Scarlett Johansson, has been in show biz much longer, and has done really well with $35 million, due to the success of “Age of Ultron” and “Lucy,” plus similarly profitable endorsement deals.

Melissa McCarthy is in third place with $23 million, and her success in “Spy” and “Tammy” is inspiring in its own way, because it proves that you don’t have to look drop-dead gorgeous and thin as a whistle to hit it big with moviegoers.

McCarthy has made her mark in comedy, so other screen comers with “different” looks are advised to start eating again—and feed their funny bone, too!