Actors always say that when they read the first page of a script, they know if it’s going to be a winner or not.

Robert Downey Jr must have done an Irish jig when he laid hands on the first Ironman script, as it’s led to him being named the world’s richest actor for the third year running, beating no.2, Jackie Chan, to the punch by an eye-popping $30 million.

This from Forbes:

Though China may be Chan’s cinematic stomping ground, the nation’s movie appetite propelled Downey’s Avengers: Age of Ultron to a $240 million gross in the People’s Republic alone, ensuring Downey topped the World’s Highest Paid Actors list.

Six of the top 10 hail from the U.S., including Vin Diesel, ranked at No. 3, who earned a hefty $47 million thanks in part to the success of Furious 7. The most recent Diesel-fueled installment of the Fast and the Furious car franchise grossed $1.5 billion worldwide, 77% of that from beyond the borders of the United States and $400 million in China alone.

There was also a strong contingent from outside of Hollywood:

Though we have long looked at foreign actors starring in the U.S. films — Irishman Liam Neeson, Brit Daniel Craig and Australian Hugh Jackman have all made the Highest-Paid Actors list previously – we have never examined those working solely in international movie industries.

As a result, 12 newcomers join the ranking, five of whom collect their paychecks from Bollywood.

For more on the Forbes rich list, click HERE.

[source: Forbes]