Contrary to what many people think that everyone porn stars in the profession due to lack of money or opportunities. They may have started doing adult films because of a lack of money, but they stayed because obviously if you get big success you can make a lot of money… In fact, some of the richest porn actors in the world today don’t make money from acting, they make money from their own business and merchandise such as sex toys, books and other things they put their name on.
Here are some of the highest paid porn actresses and actors!
[article updated June 17, 2021]
1. Jenna Jameson
Porn legend turned webcam model and entrepreneur – Jenna Jameson is known as the queen of the genre. Her huge net worth comes from the wide range that her brand is associated with, including books, memorabilia and other merchandise. She also made quite a bit of money by selling her Playboy website.
2. Tera Patrick
Tera started acting in adult films in 1999 and has gone on to become super popular, appearing on mainstream television shows and other appearances, and is generally one of the few successful actresses in the porn industry. She left porn in 2008, but still has a high bank balance, the name of her website, a production company, and other business ventures.
3. Peter North
Peter North, another industry legend, has acted in over 2,000 adult films, directed over 70 films himself, produced 20 films and runs his own production company, Northstar Associates. He is almost 60, but he is also rich and seems quite pleased with himself.
4. Traci Lords
Tracy starred in several pornographic films before quitting and moving on to big movies. She's starred in films like Blade and Zack And Miri Make A Porno and has a pretty hefty bank account.
5. Jessie Jane
Jessie Jane has received numerous awards for her roles in adult films and is also a famous Penthouse model. She also has her own brand and line of sex toys, as well as her own tequila line, and has one of the biggest names in porn, and thus a very highly paid actress to this day.
6. Maria Takagi
Maria is a Japanese actress who started her career as a model and later appeared in adult TV shows where she usually played the part of a liar seducing married men. She has also starred in several popular films and TV series.
7. Ron Jeremy
The inimitable Ron Jeremy with his trademark mustache has appeared in 2216 films and directed 285 adult films. He is considered one of the biggest porn stars of all time, has slept with nearly 5,000 women, and is rich. Evidence that looks don't matter, size matters.
8. Bree Olson
Bree Olson has worked with some of the biggest companies in the porn industry and made a lot of money at a fairly young age. She went to Penthouse as a model and also appeared on some TV shows, all at the age of 29.
9. Cathy Morgan
Katy actually first got into the porn industry to earn money to pay off her bail after being arrested for transporting 45 kilos of weed! It's pretty cool. She soon became a star and recently moved into mainstream cinema, earning good money in the process.
10 Lexington Steel
Another veteran of the porn industry, American Lex Steele has appeared in over 1,000 porn films and has appeared on television. He was a stockbroker before joining the pornography industry.
11. Jenna Hayes
American model and former porn star Jenna Hayes. She has won several awards and has also starred in popular films such as Superbad.
12. Evan Seinfeld
The multifaceted Evan has appeared in most of his adult films under the name Spider Jonez. He is also the founder of the hardcore band Biohazard and he has also appeared on the HBO series OZ.
13. Gianna Michaels
Gianna has appeared in nearly 500 adult films and is a well-known personality in the industry. She is also one of the highest paid actresses in porn today.
14. Sasha Gray
She may have quit porn, but her acting work is still popular. Sasha Gray made a successful move into the mainstream by starring in films with actors like Elijah Wood, but not before she made huge sums from her porn films.
