The 50-year-old actor has topped Forbes magazine's annual list for the third year in a row, after earning a huge $80 million in the period June 2014-June 2015, $30 million more than runner-up Jackie Chan.
'Fast and Furious' star Vin Diesel placed third on the list with $47 million, while Bradley Cooper and Adam Sandler rounded out the top five, with earnings of $41.5 million and $41 million respectively.
'Mission: Impossible' actor Tom Cruise took sixth place with $40 million.
Forbes have changed the way they compiled the list this year to include those working solely in the international movie industry, which meant 12 newcomers have joined the list, including three in the top 10.
Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan rank at seven with $33.5 million, just ahead of Akshay Kumar with $32.5 million.
'Ted 2' star Mark Wahlberg completed the top 10 with $32 million.
The world's highest paid actors according to Forbes:
1. Robert Downey Jr - US$80 million
2. Jackie Chan - US$50 milion
3. Vin Diesel - US$47 million
4. Bradley Cooper - US$41.5 million
5. Adam Sandler - US$41 million
6. Tom Cruise - US$40 million
7. Amitabh Bachchan - US$33.5 million
7. Salman Khan - US$33.5 million
9. Akshay Kumar - US$ 32.5 million
10. Mark Wahlberg - US$32 million
Subject: Robert Donwy Jr named highest-paid actor 
