Thor: This Is How Much Money Chris Hemsworth Made From Playing the Superhero - The Cheat Sheet

Most people who work with hammers make pretty good money. However, if you wield a certain kind of hammer – like the kind that can summon lightning and pummel foes with just one toss – you can make millions.

Just ask Chris Hemsworth. Having played the God of Thunder in three Thor standalone films and four Avengers movies, the actor has found the Marvel Cinematic Universe very lucrative, even if he has found only limited success outside it.

How Thor’s salary compares to other Avengers

Chris Hemsworth | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hemsworth received $15 million for Avengers: Infinity War. That may sound pretty impressive, but since Hemsworth is part of an ensemble in those movies, he gets less than he does in the movies that have Thor in the title. By contrast, he made more than $30 million for Thor: Ragnarok, per Mens XP. That’s quite an increase from the $150,000 he made for the first Thor.

His compatriot Chris Evans also made $15 million for Infinity War, as did Scarlett Johansson, which shows Marvel is paying attention to the calls for women to be paid equally to men. Brie Larson, Marvel’s newest female star Captain Marvel, made about $5 million for her standalone film, but that number is bound to increase since her movie has made more than $1 billion worldwide.

Even if you only provide a voice, you can do well with Marvel. Case in point: Bradley Cooper, who voices the caustic raccoon Rocket, one of the Guardians of the Galaxy, gets “a few million” for the Avengers movies, says Mens XP.  But that’s a pittance compared to Vin Diesel, who supposedly got $54 million. That’s about $18 million for “I,” $18 million for “am” and $18 million for “Groot.”

Or maybe sources are confusing Diesel with Robert Downey Jr. As the hero who started it all in Iron Man, the actor makes $50 million for the Avengers movies. Tony Stark would approve.

How much Hemsworth’s pay has increased

Men’s Health says that Hemsworth made $37 million in 2014. That number dipped a bit to $27 million the next year, but in 2017, that number shot to $31.5 million. Then that number nearly doubled to $64.5 million in 2018, thanks in no small part to Infinity War, so perhaps he got a share of the massive $700 million that movie made in the United States alone.

All told, his net worth is considerable. Celebritynetworth.com estimates it’s $90 million, while Richest says $71 million, and Bankrate claims $60 million.

Hemsworth first came to moviegoers’ attention in J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot, where he played Captain Kirk’s father in the opening scene and is gone very quickly. Marvel came calling two years later with Thor. After that, he appeared in The Cabin in the Woods, co-written by Avengers director Joss Whedon. Other prominent credits include a comic turn in the Ghostbusters reboot, and two films for director Ron Howard: Rush and In the Heart of the Sea.

Here comes an Endgame raise

For all their success, the Marvel heroes have historically made less than stars at other studios. That’s because for Disney, which also owns Star Wars, the properties are the stars, and not so much the actors. Wall Street Journal reporter told Business Insider “If (the actors) want to remain relevant for global audiences, it’s very helpful to be attached to these franchises. Plus, it raises their profile and helps them to get paid more for other movies, including possible sequels and spin-offs to that franchise down the road.”

As the numbers show, Hemsworth and his Marvel colleagues have proved Fritz right. Now comes the news that Avengers: Endgame has absolutely obliterated box office records. You can bet on Hemsworth and the others getting significant raises, whether we seem them again in the MCU or not.

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2019-05-05 09:25:20Z
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Adam Sandler returns to 'SNL' with a song about how he was fired - CNN

Hosting "SNL" for the first time since he was a mainstay cast member, the comedian opened his monologue by saying he told with his family his time on the show -- from 1990 to 1995 -- was the "best time of his life."

He told the audience his daughter asked why he left.

"I was fired. I was fired," Sandler sang. "It was so sad to tell ... I tried to call ("SNL" creator) Lorne Michaels but he never called me back."

The next verse of the song continued: "I think they just hate the Jews. I was fired, not rehired. It made me sad and blue."

Then came a cameo by fellow "SNL" alumnus Chris Rock, who was on the show from 1990 to 1993.

Sandler asked Rock why he left the show.

"I got fired. I was fired. I was fired by NBC," Rock sang. "Then I went on 'In Living Color,' three weeks later they took it off TV."

"In Living Color" was an African-American variety show that aired on Fox between 1990 and 1994.

Current "SNL" cast member Pete Davidson then showed up and tried to start singing. Sandler stopped him, pointing out that Davidson had not been fired.

"Be patient cause it's coming soon," Sandler said to Davidson.

Sandler crooned the rest of his song.

"It broke my heart to pieces, cause 'SNL' was my home. Where can I do my funny voices now? I never felt so alone," Sandler sang while dipping into his character voice. "NBC said that I was done, then I made over $4 billion at the box office, so I guess you could say I won."

'SNL' pays tribute to Sandler's characters

Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Fallon and Shawn Mendes all made cameos in one skit that paid tribute to Sandler's many "SNL" and movie characters.

In the skit, Sandler was at a Sandler family reunion in which his family members accused him of basing his many characters off them. The characters included stuttering Bobby Boucher from "The Waterboy," soft spoken Nicky from his film "Little Nicky" and the immature Billy from "Billy Madison."

Sandler himself reprised his "Opera Man" character during the "Weekend Update" segment.

Sandler also had a solo performance onstage paying tribute to his late friend and another "SNL" alumnus Chris Farley, who died in 1997.

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2019-05-05 08:32:00Z
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Adam Sandler returns to 'SNL' with a song about how he was fired - CNN

Hosting "SNL" for the first time since he was a mainstay cast member, the comedian opened his monologue by saying he told with his family his time on the show -- from 1990 to 1995 -- was the "best time of his life."

He told the audience his daughter asked why he left.

"I was fired. I was fired," Sandler sang. "It was so sad to tell ... I tried to call ("SNL" creator) Lorne Michaels but he never called me back."

The next verse of the song continued: "I think they just hate the Jews. I was fired, not rehired. It made me sad and blue."

Then came a cameo by fellow "SNL" alumnus Chris Rock, who was on the show from 1990 to 1993.

Sandler asked Rock why he left the show.

"I got fired. I was fired. I was fired by NBC," Rock sang. "Then I went on 'In Living Color,' three weeks later they took it off TV."

"In Living Color" was an African-American variety show that aired on Fox between 1990 and 1994.

Current "SNL" cast member Pete Davidson then showed up and tried to start singing. Sandler stopped him, pointing out that Davidson had not been fired.

"Be patient cause it's coming soon," Sandler said to Davidson.

Sandler crooned the rest of his song.

"It broke my heart to pieces, cause 'SNL' was my home. Where can I do my funny voices now? I never felt so alone," Sandler sang while dipping into his character voice. "NBC said that I was done, then I made over $4 billion at the box office, so I guess you could say I won."

'SNL' pays tribute to Sandler's characters

Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Fallon and Shawn Mendes all made cameos in one skit that paid tribute to Sandler's many "SNL" and movie characters.

In the skit, Sandler was at a Sandler family reunion in which his family members accused him of basing his many characters off them. The characters included stuttering Bobby Boucher from "The Waterboy," soft spoken Nicky from his film "Little Nicky" and the immature Billy from "Billy Madison."

Sandler himself reprised his "Opera Man" character during the "Weekend Update" segment.

Sandler also had a solo performance onstage paying tribute to his late friend and another "SNL" alumnus Chris Farley, who died in 1997.

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2019-05-05 06:06:00Z
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Meghan Markle 'Calm' and 'Comfortable' Awaiting Baby Sussex's Arrival - The Cheat Sheet

Royal baby watchers on the hunt for a Baby Sussex update aren’t likely to find out too much information, but there has been a trickle of sources saying some typical pre-baby arrival comments about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The latest buzz is about Markle’s current mental and physical status in advance of the baby’s birth.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images

Sources share the latest Meghan Markle update

The latest news out of Frogmore Cottage is that everything is pretty relaxed ahead of Baby Sussex’s birth. According to a report from Harper’s Bazaar, a friend of Markle’s said she is “comfortable and content,” adding, “She’s got this.”

Prince Harry and Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland, are with the mom-to-be and maintaining privacy from the media and royal fans, with the source noting, “They’re in their own bubble at the moment. Meg is with the most important people in her life… she’s calm.”

Prince Harry and Markle are keeping the baby details sparse

Prince Harry and Markle made it very clear that they want to keep the details of their baby private and make the birth announcement on their own time.

Buckingham Palace released a statement that explained: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby. Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private. The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

Prince Harry shuffled his schedule

In anticipation of the baby’s arrival, Prince Harry made a change to his schedule, as he was expected to visit The Netherlands on May 8, but shortened the trip from two days to just one. Buckingham Palace released a statement that attributed the change to logistical reasons.

The statement noted: “Due to the logistical planning for the traveling press to cover visits and engagements by The Royal Family, we have taken the decision to postpone The Duke of Sussex’s scheduled visit to Amsterdam on Wednesday 8th May 2019.”

Additionally, the statement shared: “The Duke is currently scheduled to travel to The Hague on Thursday 9th May for the launch of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 as planned.”

No. Am assured that if they are able to tell us she has gone into labour, then they will. I think the misunderstanding about how much is being kept private came as a result of the initial, slightly badly-worded, press release.

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) May 2, 2019

The media will reportedly be alerted when Markle is in labor

While the world awaits the arrival of Baby Sussex and feels a bit in the dark about it, ET Canada reports that Buckingham Palace confirmed the media will be notified when Markle is in labor.

According to a report from PEOPLE, it’s expected that the couple will pose with their baby on the grounds of Windsor Castle for photos in the days after Baby Sussex is born.

Royal correspondent Rebecca English addressed the rumors that Markle already gave birth, noting in a tweet: “No. Am assured that if they are able to tell us she has gone into labour, then they will. I think the misunderstanding about how much is being kept private came as a result of the initial, slightly badly-worded, press release.”

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2019-05-04 21:29:19Z
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Fellow writers, fans shocked and saddened by death of Christian writer Rachel Held Evans - USA TODAY

Holly Meyer Nashville Tennessean

Published 3:35 PM EDT May 4, 2019

Fellow writers and fans of Rachel Held Evans are expressing shock and sorrow as word of the renowned Christian author's unexpected death has spread.

Evans, who was from Dayton, Tennessee, and known for her progressive Christian voice, died early Saturday morning after a brief illness, according to her husband, Dan Evans, who shared the news of her death on her website.

"This entire experience is surreal. I keep hoping it’s a nightmare from which I’ll awake. I feel like I’m telling someone else’s story," Dan Evans said. 

"I cannot express how much the support means to me and our kids. To everyone who has prayed, called, texted, driven, flown, given of themselves physically and financially to help ease this burden: Thank you. We are privileged. Rachel’s presence in this world was a gift to us all and her work will long survive her."

Rachel Held Evans, a speaker and a writer, is known for her blog as well her numerous best-selling books, including "Faith Unraveled," "A Year of Biblical Womanhood," "Searching for Sunday" and "Inspired". 

In mid-April, Evans was put in a medically-induced coma when doctors found that she was experiencing constant seizures while they were treating her for an infection. The news of her illness spurred an online fundraiser as well as an outpouring of prayers shared on social media with #PrayForRHE. 

Her condition worsened Thursday morning, Dan Evans said in his Saturday post on announcing her death:

"Rachel experienced sudden and extreme changes in her vitals," Dan Evans said. "The team at the hospital discovered extensive swelling of her brain and took emergency action to stabilize her. The team worked until Friday afternoon to the best of their ability to save her. This swelling event caused severe damage and ultimately was not survivable."

She died at a Nashville hospital at the age of 37, Slate reported Saturday

Fans and fellow writers turned to social media to share their grief and support for Evans' family. 

"It it with a broken heart I post this: my sweet friend Rachel died this morning. I will forever be grateful for her friendship and work and love. Thank you for your prayers," author and pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber said on Twitter. "We were able to surround her last night. Offered her our touch and tears and song. I anointed her with oil. She was and is well loved."

"Eshet chayil, beloved Woman of Valor. You ran a beautiful, faithful race. We are crushed. Well done, good and faithful servant," said author Jen Hatkmaker, in a tweet. 

Russell Moore, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, asked for people to pray and financially support her family. 

"I am shocked and broken-hearted to hear of the death of @rachelheldevans. Please stop right now and pray for this young family," Moore said on Twitter. "@rachelheldevans leaves behind a husband and two small children, one 3 and one less than one year old. As many as can, let’s please help this grieving young family with the overwhelming medical bills." 

Bible teacher Beth Moore shared her sorrow on Twitter, too. 

"Sobbing over @rachelheldevans’ death. My heart is broken for Dan and the children and for all of you who loved her so so much. I will spend the time I’ve been daily praying for her praying for all of you," Beth Moore said. 

More: 'Under Pressure' author Lisa Damour talks 'normal' anxiety for girls, when to get help

More: Charles Gross, longtime professor and husband to Joyce Carol Oates, dies at 83

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2019-05-04 19:35:00Z
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Lucasfilm just announced the Star Wars books that will lead to The Rise of Skywalker - The Verge

The Star Wars franchise famously includes a wide range of mediums beyond just the films — numerous books, comics, and games fill in the untold corners of the galaxy, and have set up the world for the coming installments. Lucasfilm just unveiled its publishing slate that will lead to the next film, The Rise of Skywalker, and it includes a novel that will bridge the gap from The Last Jedi, written by author Rebecca Roanhorse.

The new adult novel is Resistance Reborn, set to be released on November 12th, just before the The Rise of Skywalker premieres in December. The bare-bones description says that it will follow General Leia Organa, Poe Dameron, Finn, and Rey as they “struggle to rebuild the Resistance after their defeat at the hands of the First Order.” Excitingly, the book will be written by Rebecca Roanhorse, who earned a Hugo and Nebula nomination for her fantastic debut novel Trail of Lightning, and a Nebula win for her short story Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience TM. Her latest book, Storm of Locus, just hit stores.

That isn’t the only book that Lucasfilm will release under the “Journey to Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker” label. November will also bring Force Collector, a YA novel authored by Kevin Shinick, about teenager who “sets out to discover what connection his mysterious Force powers have to the fabled Jedi, and what the Force has in store for him.” Marvel Comics will also release a 4-issue miniseries called Allegiance, about the surviving Resistance fighters and Leia’s efforts to “reach out to her former allies, the Mon Calamari, whose shipyards once powered the Rebel Alliance.” That’ll be written by Ethan Sacks and illustrated by Luke Ross.

The publishing slate will also include a number of kid-oriented books, picture books, and comics, as well as some non-fiction tie-ins like The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary, and others. What’s missing out of all that is an official novelization of the film, although Lucasfilm has opted to publish the novelizations for The Last Jedi and Solo: A Star Wars Story months after the films came out.

These new books add on to the already-busy publishing slate that Lucasfilm is overseeing this year. June will bring Alphabet Squadron from Alexander Freed, the first of a new trilogy about the New Republic’s starfighter pilots, Timothy Zahn will release a new Thrawn novel in July, and Delilah S. Dawson’s Black Spire is due out on September 3rd, 2019 and will tie in with Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge theme park.

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2019-05-04 16:41:17Z
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Jeopardy contestant James Holzhauer is a champion. What’s it like to compete against him? - Vox.com

There are many ways to prepare to be on Jeopardy: watch the show, figure out a wagering strategy, practice buzzing in with a pen or a toilet paper holder. What you can’t prepare for is challenging a 10+ day champion on a multimillion-dollar warpath, armed with a career as a sports better and a unique strategy honed by past experiences on other game shows.

That champ is James Holzhauer, an instant Jeopardy legend whose 20+ day win record places him second behind Ken Jennings, who currently holds the record for the longest winning streak. Holzhauer’s aggressive betting strategy and impressive knowledge base have helped him earn more than $1 million in the blink of an eye, leading many to call him a wizard who may turn Ken Jennings into a footnote in history.

It all makes for really great TV. It’s also a nightmare scenario for contestants who’ve waited their whole lives to go on the show, only to run into a buzzsaw.

As a three-time Jeopardy contestant in October 2014, I can confirm: Nobody expects a buzzsaw. You don’t find out who the reigning champ is until you arrive at the Culver City Sony lot the morning of your tape day, about two hours or so before the cameras roll. My reigning champ had won two episodes — more than most people win, but nothing compared to Julia Collins, who now holds the third place record for her 20-game streak. I was able to relax a little.

Holzhauer’s competitors can’t do that. “James came into the green room and every producer was patting him on the back, saying, ‘Hey champ,’” said Alix Basden, who came in second to Holzhauer on his 16th game. Holzhauer didn’t reveal his $850,000 in winnings or 13-day streak until the producers asked him to. When that happened, Basden said she “almost fell out of my seat. I was like, ‘Oh, so that’s how this is going to go’.” Robin Falco, who faced Holzhauer in his 17th episode, thought at first that the producers might be kidding. Another contestant remembers dropped jaws and laughter.

They’d soon find out what they were up against. Five episodes of Jeopardy are filmed each day, and producers pick which contestants play at random. If it’s not your turn, you sit in the audience and watch everyone compete. It can be a nerve-wracking experience for contestants who don’t compete until a later episode.

When I competed, I wanted to be on the first episode to avoid having to sit with my nerves for any longer than necessary. But most contestants who filmed on days where Holzhauer competed told me they hoped the opposite.

“I wanted to go later in the day so someone else could take him down,” Jasmine Leonas, who came in third on Holzhauer’s 18th game, said. And for competitors hoping to be the Arya to Holzhauer’s Night King, waiting until later in the day meant more time to hopefully master the champ’s strategy.

For Holzhauer, that strategy is an unusual one in Jeopardy history. He starts from the bottom of the game board where the highest-value (and hardest) clues are, rather than starting at the top of the board, which is the most common order. Ariana Mikulski, who faced down Holzhauer on his fourth episode, was practically in disbelief watching it happen. “I was living cognitive dissonance,” she said. “I had come in determined to not let any single person psych me out, but then I’m also watching his total dominance and bold wagers.” Mikulski came in third place on the episode where Holzhauer shattered the previous $77,000 single-day winnings record by scooping up $110,914.

In fact, most competitors haven’t attempted to use Holzhauer’s strategy, realizing they likely won’t win. “I went in geared up, but realistic,” said Laura Hertzfeld, who competed on Holzhauer’s fifth game. After all, the game passes in a blur, and strategy is easier executed from an armchair.

“It’s one thing to understand his strategy, and another to defend against it,” said Tyler Lee, a competitor on Holzhauer’s 17th game. “He’s playing the ‘optimal’ strategy. So you could do the same, but if you can’t play it better than he can, with the level of confidence that he has in the breadth of categories, then you’re just playing into his hands.” According to Falco, another factor is money, since Jeopardy does not pay travel costs for contestants on the show. “I’ve taken some flak for making a low wager on a Daily Double, but I had to stay in second place so I could afford plane fare and the hotel,” she said.

Someone who notably tried mirroring Holzhauer’s strategy — and very nearly won — was Adam Levin, who appeared on Holzhauer’s 18th game. Although nearly all of Holzhauer’s episodes have been runaways going into Final Jeopardy, Levin put up a fight so strong that Holzhauer only beat him by $18.

A key part of Levin’s near-victory? He was a holdover from the previous tape day and had watched Holzhauer’s massive Daily Double bets for five episodes. When Levin landed on one, he went uncharacteristically big with his wager. “I’m not generally the type who would’ve wagered $12,000 on a $13,000 total,” he said. “It helped me to see James in action.”

Given all of this, some sour grapes are understandable. Leonas competed against Holzhauer and Levin on her episode. “I felt like I was thrown into the Tournament of Champions,” she said. “I was frustrated, and I’m a little disappointed. It feels like I didn’t get to play a regular game of Jeopardy.” She and Falco noted that the fact that he was financially able to take a year off from his job as a professional sports gambler to study for Jeopardy, gave him a more than unfair advantage.

But Levin isn’t mad about his experience. “I showed he’s beatable,” he said. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I wouldn’t do anything differently than the way I did it.” Basden agrees. “If I had to lose, I’m glad it was to him.” Hertzfeld knew that Holzhauer’s episodes would receive extra attention, so she used her platform for good: she’s raised nearly $1,900 for Stand Up to Cancer, inspired by Alex Trebek’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

I can’t say where I’d fall on the spectrum, but I do know this: I’m really, really, really glad Holzhauer wasn’t the reigning champ in the green room on the day I taped.

Terri Pous is a writer and editor based in New York City whose writing has been featured on BuzzFeed, Time, and The Week, among others. She’s a two-time Jeopardy champ and can be found sharing random facts and trivia on Twitter at @tepous.

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First Person is Vox’s home for compelling, provocative narrative essays. Do you have a story to share? Read our submission guidelines, and pitch us at firstperson@vox.com.

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2019-05-04 16:10:00Z
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