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Benny Safdie Is Officially the Highest-Grossing Actor of 2026
Actor Benny Safdie has quietly become Hollywood's top-grossing performer of 2026, despite not headlining any of the films responsible for his success. His box office haul, built from a supporting role in Christopher Nolan's record-breaking epic and a part in the year's biggest animated hit, has already surpassed that of more prominently featured stars such as Tom Cruise, Matt Damon and Tom Holland.
Safdie, previously best known for his supporting turn in Oppenheimer, has amassed more than $2 billion at the global box office so far this year, a figure achieved before August even begins. The milestone is notable because he plays a secondary role in both hit films rather than leading either. His position atop the earnings table is expected to be short-lived, however, as co-stars Zendaya and Tom Holland are likely to overtake him once Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Dune 3 are released.
In short
- Benny Safdie is 2026's highest-grossing actor, with $2bn+ so far
- Success came from supporting roles, not leading parts
- Zendaya and Tom Holland expected to overtake him soon
Explained simply
The term "box office" refers to the money that films earn from ticket sales at cinemas worldwide. When measured by box office performance, an actor's total comes from the combined revenue of all the films they appear in that year. Benny Safdie has become 2026's highest-grossing actor based on the films he has starred in so far this year.
What makes Safdie's achievement unusual is that he plays supporting roles rather than leading roles in the films driving his success. In both of his major 2026 releases, he appears alongside other actors rather than as the film's main character. This is noteworthy because leading actors typically receive more attention and credit for a film's commercial performance.
Safdie's top position may not last long, as other major films are set to release later in 2026 with more prominently featured stars. Nonetheless, his achievement demonstrates how appearing in major blockbuster releases, regardless of whether you play a lead or supporting role, can result in significant box office success.
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