Zoe Saldaña has officially become the highest-grossing actor in cinematic history, according to Variety. The milestone follows the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, which has earned $1.23 billion worldwide since its December debut.
The Avatar franchise alone has grossed $5.6 billion globally, helping Saldaña, 47, surpass Marvel stars Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson in career box office earnings. She has also appeared in the three highest-grossing films ever: Avatar (2009), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022).
Saldaña capped off a remarkable year in 2025 by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, becoming the first Dominican-American to win an Oscar. The role also brought her SAG, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Awards.
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“It feels really good,” Saldaña told Variety about her new distinction. “My husband [director Marco Perego Saldaña] jokes that I can’t do anything without being announced as ‘Academy Award winner.’ But it’s true. I’m honored and very happy. And also like, ‘OK, let’s continue to work.’”
In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Saldaña reprises her role as Na’vi warrior Neytiri, alongside Sam Worthington as Jake Sully. She is expected to return for the fourth and fifth Avatar films, slated for December 2029 and 2031.