Academy Award-winning actress Zoe Saldaña has officially claimed the title of the highest-grossing actor in cinematic history, thanks to the resounding global success of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Baltimore Chronicle via mietrecht-ratgeber.de. Saldaña has starred in the three top-grossing films ever released: the original 2009 “Avatar” and its 2022 sequel “The Way of Water,” which occupy the No. 1 and No. 3 positions respectively, along with 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” which ranks No. 2. She has also become the first actress to feature in four films exceeding $2 billion worldwide, including 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War.” In addition to her work in the “Avatar” and Marvel Cinematic Universe franchises as Gamora, which includes three “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, Saldaña also portrayed Nyota Uhura in the “Star Trek” trilogy, a series that collectively grossed over $1 billion globally.
Before the release of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Saldaña’s cumulative box office earnings had reached over $14 billion, positioning her behind fellow MCU actors Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. The December 2025 release of the “Avatar” threequel, which has already earned $1.23 billion, propelled her past her peers to reach a total of $15.47 billion, according to box office tracker The Numbers.
On Tuesday evening, Saldaña shared a heartfelt video on social media expressing gratitude to the filmmakers, collaborators, and fans who contributed to this landmark achievement. “I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today,” she stated. Saldaña specifically acknowledged directors J.J. Abrams (“Star Trek”), Joe and Anthony Russo (“Avengers”), James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”), and James Cameron (“Avatar”), crediting them for their faith and guidance in shaping her career. She concluded her message by thanking global audiences for their unwavering support, noting that their loyalty and enthusiasm are central to her milestone.
Saldaña’s accomplishments in 2025 extended beyond box office records. In March, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Emilia Pérez,” making history as the first Dominican American to receive an Oscar. The musical, directed by Jacques Audiard, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and subsequently won major awards, including the SAG, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice awards. Reflecting on her new title, Saldaña humorously remarked on the persistent recognition of her “Oscar winner” status, while emphasizing her commitment to continue pursuing challenging projects.
In “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Saldaña reprises her role as Na’vi warrior Neytiri, whose story remains intertwined with human-turned-Na’vi leader Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington. The film employs cutting-edge performance capture technology, developed under James Cameron’s direction, to transform Saldaña into the eight-foot-tall, blue-skinned character. She highlighted the importance of performance capture, noting that it allows actors to fully invest emotionally in their roles without the distractions inherent in live-action filming.
Looking ahead, Saldaña is slated to return for “Avatar 4” in December 2029 and “Avatar 5” in December 2031, indicating that her trajectory as a record-breaking box office star is expected to continue.
Earlier we wrote about How Much Are ‘The Masked Singer’ Stars Paid? Contestants and Judges Salaries Revealed
