Jennifer Lawrence is the world’s highest-paid actress, Forbes says

After two years in the No. 2 spot on the U.S.-only list, Jennifer Lawrence has topped Forbes’ world’s highest-paid actresses list this year, earning an estimated $52 million over 12 months for work released worldwide.

But though the “Hunger Games” and “X-Men” star’s haul may be high, it certainly trails far behind that of the world’s highest-paid actor, Robert Downey Jr. The financial magazine estimated earlier this month that the “Iron Man” star earned $80 million in the year ending in June. Talk about a major pay gap...

Forbes has been mixing things up a bit lately, taking its highest-paid numbers global instead of focusing only on performers whose work has been released in the U.S.

In December, 25-year-old Lawrence was named the magazine’s highest-grossing film star -- as opposed to highest-paid -- edging out “Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt. The duo will put their box-office prowess to the test in 2016 with “Passengers,” a sci-fi adventure directed by Morris Tyldum.

The Dior spokeswoman’s pay also made headlines earlier this year when the Sony cyber attack revealed correspondence indicating that the Oscar winner and her “American Hustle” costar Amy Adams received lower profit cuts than their male counterparts, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Christian Bale. Lawrence and Adams received 7% of the profits, while the men each banked 9%.

Falling behind Lawrence by $16.5 million in the newest list is Downey’s “Avengers” costar Scarlett Johansson, who earned an estimated $35.5 million thanks to the blockbuster Marvel films.

Comedy star Melissa McCarthy came in third with $23 million enabled by her high-grossing comedies, including “Spy” and “Tammy.” The “Mike & Molly” star also announced that she’s launching an all-sizes clothing line.

Last year’s highest earner was “Minions” star Sandra Bullock, who topped that list with $51 million. The “Blind Side” Oscar winner dropped to No. 13 on the 2015 list, earning an estimated $8 million.

Chinese actress Bingbing Fan, “Friends” alum Jennifer Aniston, Oscar winners Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon and Anne Hathaway, and “Twilight” alum Kristen Stewart rounded out the top 10.

For the complete list, click here.

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