In the early days of Hollywood, stars were paid small weekly salaries. By the 1990s, the '$20 Million Club' (actors who earned $20 million per film) was the gold standard. However, Bruce Willis and later Johnny Depp broke the ceiling by taking 'backend points'—a percentage of the film's total profit rather than a flat fee. For 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Johnny Depp’s total compensation reportedly reached nearly $90 million. However, the record for the single largest paycheck for a single role is often cited as Keanu Reeves for 'The Matrix' sequels. By combining his salary with a percentage of the massive box office and merchandise sales, Reeves earned an estimated $156 million. This 'profit participation' model is now how top-tier stars like Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. earn their massive fortunes.