Harrison Ford Hollywood's top earning actor

Harrison Ford has emerged on top of Forbe magazine's 'Hollywood's Top Earners' list. Photo / AP

Harrison Ford has topped Forbes magazine's list of Top Earning Actors, after raking in £43.3 million (NZ$112m) in the last 12 months.

The 66-year-old star made the staggering sum after starring in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - which took £500 million worldwide at the box office.

Ford – who had only appeared in four movies since 2000 before agreeing to reprise the famous role for a fourth time - was paid the figure between June 2008 and June 2009 as part of a deal that saw studio Paramount give the veteran star, director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas a percentage of the film's earnings.

Other stars to make the list, compiled by business bible Forbes magazine, include Adam Sandler, who came second after raking in £36.6 million, Will Smith, who finished third with £30 million, and fourth placed Eddie Murphy, who earned £26.6 million.

Rounding off the top five was Nicolas Cage, who was paid £26.6 million in the last 12 months.

Forbes compiled the list of top earning stars by speaking to agents, managers, producers and lawyers to find out what money stars received upfront for movies in development and earnings from released films.

Advertising and other earnings from the last 12 months were also taken into consideration.

Hollywood's Top Earning Actors top 10, according to Forbes:

1) Harrison Ford
2) Adam Sandler
3) Will Smith
4) Eddie Murphy
5) Nicolas Cage
6) Tom Hanks
7) Tom Cruise
8) Jim Carrey
9) Brad Pitt
10) Johnny Depp

- BANG! SHOWBIZ