Sandra Bullock tops 2014 Forbes list of highest-paid actresses

Sandra Bullock’s star turn in “Gravity” has propelled the actress to the top of Forbes’ 2014 list of the highest-earning film actresses, with her estimated $51-million annual take well ahead of what Angelina Jolie raked in to top the same ranking last year.

Last year, Jolie needed only $33 million to lead the list. In contrast, Jennifer Lawrence, who’s earned the No. 2 spot for two years in a row on the strength of the “Hunger Games” franchise’s success, pulled in $34 million in the latest 12-month period, up from $26 million the year before.

That’d be three Oscar winners hanging around the top of the ladies’ money pile.

The “Maleficent” star’s $18 million put her at No. 5 on this year’s list, tied with “The Other Woman” actress Cameron Diaz and behind Jennifer Aniston, in third place with $31 million, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who took fourth with $19 million.

Aniston pocketed bucks from “Friends” syndication, a couple of comedies and an endorsement deal, while Paltrow benefited from her role as Pepper Potts in the “Iron Man” movies, plus endorsement deals of her own.

Back in July, Paltrow’s “Iron Man” costar Robert Downey Jr., topped the mag’s actors list for a second year in a row, earning an estimated $75 million for his efforts as Iron Man.

The balance of the women’s list includes another veteran of the “Iron Man” and “Avengers” films, Scarlett Johansson, as well as two other superhero-movie actresses, Amy Adams and Natalie Portman.

Wrapping up the list: “The Twilight Saga” veteran Kristen Stewart, who kept her income in the eight digits despite having no films released in the 12-month period Forbes was looking at.

For those keeping track, the top of the ladies’ money pile includes five Oscar winners (Bullock, Lawrence, Jolie, Paltrow and Portman), Golden Globe honoree Aniston and five-time Oscar nominee Adams.

Forbes based its list on estimated earnings in the 12 months ending June 2014. It didn’t take into account taxes, agent/manager/publicist fees and other work-related costs regularly incurred by the rich and famous. Sources included agents, producers, lawyers and others.

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