War and the Big Lists · 1940s
Top-earning actor
≈ $439,000
Repeats his 1944 salaryEstimate
About $7.9 million in 2025 dollars
The 1945 list, as reported, named directors and producers ahead of any actor. MacMurray was earning over $400,000 a year through the 1940s.
Top-earning actress
$292,159
U.S. Treasury salary listReported
About $5.2 million in 2025 dollars
Top woman on the list, $30,000 ahead of Deanna Durbin.
By U.S. theatrical rentals, the studios' share of ticket sales
$8 million
$5.5 million
$5 million
Neither top earner was in one of the year's three biggest films.
