Contrary to what a lot of people think, not all porn stars are in the profession due to a lack of money or options. They might have started out acting in adult films due to a lack of money, but they stuck around because, as is evident, if you hit the big time, you can get paid big time. In fact, some of the richest adult actors in the world today don’t even make their money from smashing uglies, they make it from their own businesses and products, such as sex toys, books and other things they put their name on.

Here are some of the highest paid adult actors!

1. Jenna Jameson

Porn legend turned webcam model and entrepreneur Jenna Jameson is known as the queen of the genre. Her massive net worth is due to the wide range her brand is associated with, including books, memorabilia and other products. She also made some major dough from selling her website to Playboy.

Jenna Jameson - Highest Paid Pornstar

2. Tera Patrick

Tera started acting in adult films in 1999 and went on to become super popular, appearing on mainstream TV shows, other appearances and generally being one of the few successful porn actors to hit the big time. She quit acting in porn in 2008, but continues to keep that bank balance high by operating her website, production company, and other business ventures.

Tera Patrick- Highest Paid Pornstar

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3. Peter North

Peter North, another legend of the industry, has appeared in over 2000 adult films, directed more than 70 movies, produced 20 movies and runs his own production company called Northstar Associates. He’s almost 60, but he’s also rich, and seems pretty happy with himself most of the time.

Peter North- Highest Paid Pornstar

4. Traci Lords

Traci acted in several pornographic films before quitting it all and making the transition to mainstream cinema. She has appeared in movies like Blade and Zack And Miri Make A Porno, and has a pretty impressive bank balance to show for it.

Traci Lords- Highest Paid Pornstar

5. Jesse Jane

Jesse Jane has received numerous award for her performances in adult films, and she is also a celebrated Penthouse model. She also has her own brand and line of sex toys as well as her own line of tequila, and is all in all one of the big names of porn, and thereby very highly paid.

Jesse Jane- Highest Paid Pornstar

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6. Maria Takagi

Maria is a Japanese actress who started her career as a model before going on to do roles in adult TV shows, where she would usually play the role of a charlatan seducing married men. She has also appeared in several mainstream movies and shows.

Jesse Jane-  Highest Paid Pornstar

7. Ron Jeremy

The inimitable Ron Jeremy, with his trademark moustache, has acted in 2216 movies and directed 285 adult films. He’s considered one of the greatest porn stars of all time, has slept with almost 5000 women and he’s rich. Proof that looks don’t matter, but size does.

Ron Jeremy- Highest Paid Pornstar

8. Bree Olson

Bree Olson has worked with some of the biggest companies in the porn industry, and has made big bucks at a really young age. She’s been in Penthouse as a model and also appeared in some TV shows, all at by the age of 29.

Highest Paid Pornstar

9. Katie Morgan

Katie actually first entered the porn industry to make money to pay off her bail after being arrested for transporting 45 kilos of weed! That’s pretty badass. She soon became a star, and recently transitioned to mainstream cinema, making good money in the process.

Highest Paid Pornstar

10. Lexington Steele

Another veteran of the porn industry, American Lex Steele has acted in more than a 1000 adult films, directed more than a 100 and made appearances in mainstream TV as well. He was a stockbroker before he joined the industry.

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Highest Paid Pornstar

11. Jenna Haze

American model and former porn star Jenna Haze is an adult film hall of fame inductee. She has won several awards and appeared in mainstream movies like Superbad as well.

Highest Paid Pornstar

12. Evan Seinfield

The multi talented Evan has appeared on most of his adult films under the name Spyder Jonez (lame, I know). He is also the founder of hardcore band Biohazard, and he has appeared on the HBO show OZ as well.

Highest Paid Pornstar

13. Gianna Michaels

Gianna has appeared in almost 500 adult films and is a well recognised personality in the industry. She is also one of the highest paid actresses in porn today.

Highest Paid Pornstar

14. Sasha Grey

She might have quit porn, but her legacy lives on. Sasha Grey made the successful move into the mainstream, doing movies with the likes of Elijah Wood, but not before she commanded huge sums for her porn performances.

Highest Paid Pornstar