Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker Top List Of Highest-Earning Actresses

Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker were the highest paid actresses last year, each earning an estimated $30 million from May 2010 to May 2011, according to Forbes.

Jolie, 36, laughed all the way to the bank with the commercial success of her two big-budget films of 2010: Salt and The Tourist. While the latter didn’t do so well in the U.S., the overseas market helped it make a cool $280 million.

Parker, 46, is still reaping benefits from Sex and the City. She earns big from reruns of the TV show thanks to her dual role as star Carrie Bradshaw and producer, and the second movie, which hit screens in 2010 grossed $290 million (the first movie, however, made $415 million). Aside from acting, Parker also earns from her fragrances, including Lovely, Covet and NYC, which raked in $18 million in 2010. She recently also started helping design clothes for the fashion line Halston.

Other actresses who made the top ten include: Jennifer Aniston, 42, and Reese Witherspoon, 35, who each earned $28 million, Julia Roberts ($20 million), Kristen Stewart ($20 million), Katherine Heigl ($19 million), Cameron Diaz ($18 million), Sandra Bullock ($15 million) and Meryl Streep ($10 million).

The 10 highest-paid actresses earned a total $218 million last year according to Forbes. “To compile our earnings numbers we talked to agents, lawyers, producers and other industry insiders… Earnings consist of pretax gross income. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted,” said their website.