Jonathan Bailey Makes History as 2025's Highest-Grossing Actor, Breaking Barriers as First Out Gay Man to Achieve the Milestone

Jonathan Bailey's ascent to the top of Hollywood's box office rankings represents more than just financial success—it marks a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream cinema. The 37-year-old actor has clinched the title of 2025's highest-grossing star, an achievement rooted in two blockbuster performances that have collectively earned billions at the global box office.

Bailey's record-breaking year was built on the foundation of "Jurassic World: Rebirth," which surged to $339.6 million domestically and $868.8 million worldwide following its July release. In the film, Bailey stars as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis opposite Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali in a narrative that pushes the long-running franchise into darker, more science fiction-oriented territory with its portrayal of an island populated by mutated dinosaurs.

The momentum from that success carried forward when "Wicked: For Good" opened to an impressive $150 million domestically and $226 million worldwide in its opening weekend, directed by Jon M. Chu. The musical sequel continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda while centering Bailey's character, Fiyero, a role that has quickly become a fan favorite among queer audiences and Broadway enthusiasts alike. What makes Bailey's achievement particularly remarkable is that these represent his only two film releases in 2025—two roles, two blockbusters, one record-breaking year.

The significance of Bailey's achievement extends beyond box office numbers. As the first out gay man to become the highest-grossing actor in a calendar year, Bailey's success arrives at a moment when visibility and representation in major commercial films remain contested terrain. The fact that this milestone barely feels remarkable—that an out gay man leading two of the year's biggest films has become normalized—itself represents meaningful progress in an industry historically resistant to LGBTQ+ visibility in leading roles.

This visibility extends beyond cinema. Earlier in December, Bailey was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," an honor that further amplified his presence in popular culture. Bailey accepted the accolade with characteristic charm and self-awareness, telling the magazine, "It's a huge honor. Obviously I'm incredibly flattered. And it's completely absurd."

The response from the LGBTQ+ community has been enthusiastic. Bowen Yang, who appears alongside Bailey in "Wicked," joked that congratulatory group texts "exploded" when the cover dropped, and social media users praised Bailey not only for his screen presence but for representing queer visibility on a massive Hollywood scale.

Despite his banner year, Bailey has been candid about the importance of stepping away from the spotlight. He told British GQ in September that he hoped to take time off to focus on The Shameless Fund, his charity supporting LGBTQ+ causes. He later clarified to Esquire U.K. that he won't disappear entirely in 2026, though audiences shouldn't expect to see him in new film or television roles next year.

For "Bridgerton" fans, there remains good news: Bailey is expected to reprise his role as Anthony Bridgerton when the Netflix phenomenon returns in January.