David Cook hass an 'American Idol' flashback at the AMA
It wasn't the first time that David Cook had been back to L.A.'s Nokia Theatre since he won season 7 of American Idol there last spring. But performing at the American Music Awards pre-show on Sunday still brought out the jitters. "I actually get panic attacks whenever I'm in a five-mile radius of this place," he told EW.com following his two-song set in the courtyard, a stone's throw away from the Idol finale showdown stage. "It's home to one of the most nerve-wracking moments in my life." In the months since, Cook has performed at the Staples Center across the street, as part of the Idol summer tour, but Sunday's visit for the AMAs stirred up memories nonetheless. "I'm presenting, so I do have to walk on that stage. We'll see how it goes. If I have a freak-out or something, it'll make for good TV, I suppose."
In fact, for Cook and his fellow Idol finalist, David Archuleta, the competition continues, in a way. EW.com also bumped into the season 7 runner-up, getting his take on their current close race in record stores. (Archuleta's first week tally of 183,000 is already in and sales numbers for Cook's debut are due out on Wednesday.) Archuleta, for one, said he's content with his album's performance. "I'm quite comfortable with second place," he quipped. "Right behind Taylor Swift is not a bad place to be."
Blond Beauty: Christina Aguilera's AMA Glamor
Christina Aguilera was glamorous as she walked the red carpet, arriving at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles last Sunday evening. She was beautiful in a beaded gown, her hair and makeup flawless. She certainly rocked her new mom curves and fans went nuts!
More pics after the jump!
Christina performed some of her greatest hits, including Beautiful, Genie In A Bottle and Dirrty.
In Pictures: Hollywood's Most Overexposed Celebrities
No. 1: Paris Hilton
Overexposed Score: 65%*
Life has been anything but simple for one of the world's most notorious celebutantes. After spending a brief period behind bars, the elder Hilton sister is back on the Los Angeles nightclub circuit. Up next: the Simple Life star is searching for a new best friend on--what else--a reality TV show.
*Source: E-Poll Market Research, which provides over 46 "appeal" rankings for nearly 4,500 celebrities. For perspective, most celebrities are described as "overexposed" by between 3% and 7% by those polled during the peak of their careers.
The Year's Most Valuable Celebrity Faces
Be it her humanitarian efforts or her ever-expanding brood, Jolie has little trouble garnering interest--and, for that matter, landing covers। In fact, she graced nearly 30 in the past year, ranking second behind Britney Spears in the cover category. She also places second in cover sales, this time behind another Spears: Britney's teenage sister, new mother Jamie Lynn.
Aniston has once again proved highly appealing, this time landing second on our list (she topped it last year). In fact, with the exception of Heath Ledger, whose life was cut tragically short earlier this year, Aniston is the most-liked cover model of the year. And thanks to her ever-tumultuous love life, the former Friends star had eight covers all to herself during the year period.
It was Ledger's mysterious and all-too-early death that made him front-cover news--something he hadn't been prior to his passing. And while male cover subjects traditionally sell fewer copies than female ones, due to their lack of relatability for the heavily female reader base (other cover subjects Brad Pitt and Matthew McConaughey didn't make the cut), the idea of a talent like Ledger dying so young left readers grasping for answers--and buying magazines in search of them.
Though she was hardly a tabloid staple before announcing her pregnancy, a then 16-year-old Spears captivated the nation with her news। Her five covers landed her first in the cover sales category. Unfortunately, the Nickelodeon star lagged in the likability category, where she placed an unimpressive 16th.
The pint-sized party-girl-turned-protective-mom has proved her prowess at the newsstand। Richie lands third in the cover sales category, behind Jamie Lynn Spears and Angelina Jolie. But much like the younger Spears sister, her low likability score drags her down.
While she's hardly the fan favorite Jennifer Aniston is--in fact, the pop-star-turned-country-crooner ranks 14th in the likability category--Simpson ranked fourth in cover sales, thanks to the her tumultuous relationship with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo।
No. 7: Suri क्रुइसे
The adorable tot may not have much to say, but she's a master at selling magazines। At just 2-and-a-half years old, Cruise has snagged adoring fans and interested readers. In fact, she outperforms even her parents, A-listers Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, on the newsstand.
Though Shiloh has her kiddie rival Suri beat when it comes to likability, Brangelina's biological offspring was outranked in both her number of covers and cover sales।
The Hills vixen may be lacking fans--the only cover subject less likable than Montag is Britney Spears--but she can push magazines। Her four solo covers landed her at No. 6 in the cover sales category.
Like Ledger, Wilson covers--focused on his reported suicide attempt--benefited from their tragic news angle. Similarly working in his favor: fan adoration. The comedic actor placed third in likability.
Alicia Keys/Jack White Duet Surfaces, and Keys Wants to Keep Rocking
It seems that even her Majesty's Secret Service can't keep music from illicitly appearing on the interwebs. Jack White and Alicia Keys' James Bond theme has finally leaked in its entirely. Listen to it here -- and (possibly) marvel at how well Jack White's bluesy screech and rough guitars meld with Alicia Keys' so-smooth vocals on the first-ever Bond duet.
Despite Keys' presence as the Bassey-style Bond Girl singer, this one definitely sounds more like a White Stripes track than anything off of As I Am.
But Keys is sticking to her campaign of collaborating with the rocker.
"I would love to rock with him on my next album," she told Rolling Stone.
According to magazine, White wrote their duet after swapping ideas with Keys over the phone. The lyrics, he says, borrow from themes in the upcoming movie, which is all about mistrust and paranoia. As the chorus goes: "Someone that you think you can trust is just another way to die."
In real life, though, White and Keys have a bit more faith in each other. Both musicians have gone on record in the past to say that they're members of the mutual admiration society.
"I like that she sneaks odd-sounding things into pop music that shouldn't be there," White said of Keys. As for her opinion of White, she says: "I love Jack and the White Stripes, the rawness of their style. 'Seven Nation Army' obviously is crazy. And 'Icky Thump' - the intro to that is off the chain."
Britney Spears opened the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday Night. The pop singer appeared nervous and awkward. She won all three nominations.
The career of Britney Spears might have a bounce back. She was originally not going to attend the MTV Video Music Awards. However, she showed up and swept the awards by winning all three of her nominations.Her career has been overshadowed in recent years by a variety of personal woes, many of them happening less than a year ago.
Spears took home the awards for video of the year, best pop video and best female video, all for the tune "Piece of Me."
"I'm in shock right now," Spears said after accepting her third award.
The acceptance speeches were brief. However, she gave multiple thanks to God, her family and her fans.
Spears opened the ceremony with only four sentences. She also covered up her face with the microphone.
"Thank you so much. Thank you for all the love. I'm here tonight to celebrate a very important birthday, the 25th anniversary of the VMAs. This is the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and it starts right now."
That was about it for the opener.
One other upset about the awards was the lack of 25th anniversary performers. If this was to be an anniversary ceremony, they forgot to invite them.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are the latest celebrities to donate money to help fight Prop 8. The California Proposition 8 would eliminate same-sex marriage. The ban proposal will enter the November ballot.
Brad Pitt said he will not marry Angelina Jolie until the right extends to everyone. He has donated $100,000 to fight Proposition 8 which would put a ban on same-sex marriage. Pitt and Jolie are the latest celebrities to be added to the tally.
By: Rob Adams
Sep 18, 2008 15:54 PM GMT
Brad Pitt once said he vows not to marry Angelina Jolie until everyone has the right to marriage. The actor has donated $100,000 to help fight California's Proposition 8.
Proposition 8 will allow voters to eliminate the rights of gay couples to marry. It will enter the ballot in November,
In May, the California Supreme Court struck down a ban on same-sex marriage. However, state voters now must decide in November, whether to abolish those new rights.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are the latest celebrities to fight against Proposition 8.
Proposition 8 opponents have raised over $11 million so far in contributions. Prop 8 supporters have raided nearly $17 million.
Anniversary Of Harry Potter Debut Celebrated In SoHo
It's been a decade since a young wizard named Harry Potter put his spell on the hearts and imaginations of millions of fans across the world.
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the first book in the series, turned 10 years old Tuesday, and to celebrate, fans read it aloud cover-to-cover in SoHo.
The mainly-adult crowd was lined up for hours outside Scholastic headquarters, waiting for the chance to read a passage from the first of J.K. Rowling's seven books about Harry and his friends and their education in wizardry at the Hogwarts School.
The book has sold more than 100 million copies. Five movies based on the books have followed, and more are on the way.
The first to read was series co-editor Arthur Levine.
"It starts with just an author I love and a book that I love," he said. "And here it has reached the largest potential audience it could possibly reach," he said.
For many, reading from "The Sorcerer's Stone" brought back fond memories of their first taste of Potter mania.
"I still remember the first time I read it," said fan Ariel Birdoff. "At the end of that first chapter, I was just hooked."
"The first book, I think for everyone, is always the one," said fan Jill Pantozzi. "It started it all."
While Harry Potter fans hold a special place in their heart for the first book in the series, it's not necessarily their favorite one.
"My personal favorite characters aren't even in book one, so I think that the other books are definitely better," said fan Wendy Hockstein. "I think that seven is if not the best, one of the best."
In pictures: Harry Potter book 7 goes on sale!
This little boy had to wait for his dad to buy his copy of Deathly Hallows in Beijing, China। 
In Jakarta, Indonesia, this girl found a spot away from all the crowds to get stuck into Harry's latest adventure।
In Germany a special reading event, called Mugglefest, was put on by the members of the German Harry Potter fan club.
The book went on sale at the same moment all around the world. In Tel Aviv in Israel people bought it at 2am.
High Court dismisses case of Harry Potter vs. Hari Puttar
The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed a plea by Hollywood studio Warner Bros against Mirchi Movies' forthcoming film 'Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors' for alleged copyright violation.Justice Reva Khetrapal dismissed the plea stating that Warner Bros could have brought the case three years ago and said that people could easily distinguish Hari Puttar from Harry Potter.The judge found that there was no 'commonality' between the names. He allowed the producer of the Bollywood film to release it as per schedule."Consumers who had read Harry Potter books written by J.K. Rowling were sufficiently educated to know that Hari Puttar was different," the judge said in her 26-page interim order."The defendants (Warner Bros) have painstakingly trudged a considerable distance in the production of the film, which is now complete and at the stage of release... Their belated attempts to trip up the defendants at the finishing line is a course which, in my opinion, is diametrically opposed to the cardinal principle," the judge said in the order.Warner Bros filed the case against the movie saying the title 'Hari Puttar...' is similar to 'Harry Potter', Warner's franchise of Rowling's book series, and therefore an infringement of its intellectual property rights.The court decision means the Indian film can be released in India Sep 26.Mirchi Movies contended that 'Hari Puttar...' is an Indian name, meaning god's son in Hindi and Punjabi.'Hari Puttar...', about a lonely kid's adventure, was earlier slated for release Sep 19 but was deferred due to the legal tangles.Hari Puttar tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who moves to England with his family and becomes involved in a plan to save the world.Directed by Lucky Kohli and Rajesh Bajaj, the film stars Sarika, Jackie Shroff, Zain Khan, Swini Khara, Saurabh Shukla, Vijay Raaj and Lilette Dubey.
The Magic Continues With the Release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" in Paperback on July 7, 2009
Fans of Harry Potter are keeping the magic alive online and in bookstores, schools, libraries and homes all across the country with fans re-reading the series and new fans starting at the beginning। There are anniversaries to celebrate, a new charity book in December from J.K. Rowling and now -- the announcement from Scholastic that the paperback edition of J.K. Rowling's bestselling and final Harry Potter novel, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," (ISBN 0-545-13970-8; price $14.99), will be released on July 7, 2009. With an initial print run of 2 million copies, this will bring the total number of the seven Harry Potter books in print to over 143 million in the U.S. alone. The paperback edition follows the record-breaking release of the hardcover edition which hit stores at 12:01 on July 21, 2007 and has sold 14 million copies since then, making it the fastest selling book in publishing history.
"We have another big year planned for Harry," said Ellie Berger, President of Trade, Scholastic. "As we look toward the tenth anniversary of the U.S. publication of J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter novel, we are thrilled to continue to bring Harry Potter to fans of all ages in new and exciting ways."
As previously announced, Scholastic is releasing two Harry Potter books this fall:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" -- On September 23, 2008, in honor of the tenth anniversary of the publication of J.K. Rowling's debut novel, Scholastic will publish a special anniversary edition. Including an exclusive drawing of Snape drawn by J.K. Rowling and a description in her own words, the book also features new jacket artwork and a four-color frontispiece by Mary GrandPré. To celebrate the day, Scholastic is inviting fans of all ages to come to its headquarters in New York City to be part of "Harry Potter Cover to Cover Day," an all-day read-a-thon starting at 8:00 a.m. Fans who can't be in New York can view the all-day read-a-thon through a live webcast at The Tales of Beedle the Bard" -- On December 4, 2008, the Children's High Level Group, the English charity, co-founded by J.K. Rowling and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, MEP, to protect and promote children's rights and make life better for vulnerable young people, will publish "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" in cooperation with Scholastic, Bloomsbury and Amazon. One of these tales -- The Tale of the Three Brothers -- is recounted in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The remaining four stories are revealed for the very first time in "The Tales of Beedle the Bard."
Scholastic Corporation is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site,
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt on the Move to Germany
The Hollywood couple and their six children left the country on Tuesday, landing at Berlin's Tempelhof airport. Reports state the family will be staying Germany for about 90 days in a villa south of the capital city. Pitt is due to begin filming the new Quentin Tarantino film Inglorious Bastards there next month. The 30,000 square-foot Palais Parkschloss on Wannsee Lake boasts a private helicopter landing pad, a dock and a full security system equipped with a staff of 14 bodyguards. Jolie and Pitt--who signed a long-term lease on the French estate--have yet to confirm if they have purchased or rented the property. |
Celine has suggested that Charice Pempengco do a duet with her
It was announced during the Oprah Winfrey show last September 9th, and Cha-watchers have been anticipating the Celine concert with a renewed interest.
In the Oprah Winfrey show, Celine has suggested that Charice do a duet with her, “Because You Loved Me” and dedicate it to her mother, who has been a pillar of support for the youngster since she started joining singing contests since she was yea’ high up until now, when her talent is being discovered and appreciated.
and what a tribute it was! Here’s an excerpt on the introduction made by Celine:
“You know, usually I do not talk but tonight there is something very special that I would like to speak to you about. A few weeks ago I received a call from my dear friend Oprah (audience shouts) who actually told me about an incredible young singer (applause), whom she discovered a while back. If you watched Oprah last week, you know all about her. This young lady’s name is Charice. (applause) She’s 16 years old and she’s from the Philippines. Let me tell you, she has a voice that can literally blow the roof of Madison Square Garden. And she just might. But the real story is how Charice and her mom’s terrifying experience, and had to leave violent father, to start life of their own. Charice vowed to save her mom from a life of desparation and despair. You know, through prayers, dreams and God-given Talent, incredible voice, Charice entered and won every singing contest in her native country. And eventually noticed by such influential people, you know, like Oprah. And Oprah took her under her wings and David Foster joined her.
You know I had a chance to see Charice perform one of my songs on Oprah last week. I have a little bit of difficulty talking right now because I met Charice and i got so emotional. And so I’m searching, looking for words, trying to control my emotions.
I invited her tonight to sing with me, where are you sweetheart?
Charice and her mom were seated in the audience (section 147), she stood and walked to the stage, where Celine was waiting. Dressed in a deep-purple empire-waisted cocktail dress, with shirred bodice and cap sleeves accented with a lime green ribbon, and her hair parted on the left, held in place by a barrette, she was a picture of young innocence. Celine met and hugged her the moment she got onstage, and they held hands towards the center. Charice’s voice could barely be heard while Celine was talking to her, saying she was nervous.
Celine said these inspiring words, to help allay her nervousness:
First of all let me tell you, you look spectacular, you look so beautiful… People understand that you are nervous, let me tell you, talent you have it; you strength we’re not even going to talk about it because you have. Now I have to tell you that the family, we will talk because you have to. One time, my manager, my husband, told me, coz when I started to sing, I was 12 years old. So 12 and 16 it’s the same (eliciting a laugh from the audience). He told I know you are nervous, don’t be you’re scared. You love to sing, when you go up there you’ll be nervous. But I’ll give you an image you’ll think about, think that all these people in front of you are your brothers. They cannot wait to hear you sing.
So I think you want to dedicate the song to your mother, so we’re gonna sing Because You Loved Me for your Mother.
Someone in the audience started chanting “Go Charice!” before they started singing. The audience reacted to almost every word that Celine said. Mom Racquel was shown on the screen in the middle of the song.
Celine was a gracious host, allowing Charice to be in her element and shine throughout the whole song. The emotion that is inspired when these two sang, is so intense, I can’t see the keyboard in front of me. The audience themselves were already standing halfway through the song, and gave a thunderous and very looong round of applause after they finished the song.
And don’t forget, this performance will be shown on Oprah on the 19th, so set your TIVOs on, or join us on the Friday night watch, to catch the first airing of Oprah।
60th Annual Primetime Emmy Winners
HOLLYWOOD - See which of your favorite shows got love from Emmy voters--and which didn't.
Best Comedy:
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock WINNER!
Two and a Half Men
Best Drama:
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men WINNER!
Best Actress, Comedy:
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock WINNER!
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Best Actor, Comedy:
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock WINNER!
Steve Carell, The Office
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy:
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Jean Smart, Samantha Who? WINNER!
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
Best Supporting Actor, Comedy:
Jeremy Piven, Entourage WINNER!
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Best Actress, Drama:
Glenn Close, Damages WINNER!
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Best Actor, Drama:
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad WINNER!
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
James Spader, Boston Legal
Best Supporting Actress, Drama:
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment WINNER!
Best Supporting Actor, Drama:
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Ted Danson, Damages
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages WINNER!
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men
The Emmy Awards
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HBO After Party
On Emmy night the only place filled with more glittery winged statuettes than the trophy room is HBO’s annual after party. (Read Story)
Backstage Photos
Catch all the action backstage with the winners, including Tina Fey, Jeremy Piven and more! (View Gallery)
Emmys Recap
Check out the highlights, lowlights and random observations from the telecast of the 60th Annual Primetime Emmys... (Read Story)
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Arriving at the Emmys with Heidi Klum, America Ferrara, Tina Fey and many more! (View gallery)
Our Emmy Predictions
Hollywood.com's Brian Marder takes a stab at guessing the winners, something that's always tough to predict. (Read story)
Emmy Nominees Sound Off
And the Emmy goes to...Hollywood.com talks with TV's tops about what it's like to be honored by the academy. (Read story)
Pick Your Own Emmy Winners
Vote in our poll and see how close you get to choosing the winner's Sunday night! (Vote Now)
60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners
Emmy's Biggest Loser
And the award for television's lowest-rated Emmys in well over a decade goes to ...
The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards show, broadcast on Disney-owned (nyse: DIS - news - people ) ABC.
Garnering only a nine share in the advertiser-beloved 18-to-49-year-old demographic, the broadcast ranked the lowest in Nielsen's recorded People Meter history.
In total, the three-hour kudofest, emceed by reality hosts Ryan Seacrest, Heidi Klum, Jeff Probst, Howie Mandel and Tom Bergeron, scored only 12.2 million viewers. That's down from last year's paltry 13 million; it's also the smallest audience since at least 1992, according to early estimates from Nielsen Media Research.
Partly to blame: the little-watched programs the award show celebrated. On average, none of the winners in the ceremony's major categories--best actor, actress, comedy or drama--get more than 6 million viewers on a weekly basis.
AMC's Mad Men, a period piece set at a 1960s Madison Avenue ad agency, took TV's top honor, winning the prize for best drama series despite drawing less than 1 million viewers last season. (By comparison, News Corp.-owned (nyse: NWS - news - people ) Fox's American Idol handily pulls in some 28 million weekly.) The impressive feat marked the first top-series win by basic cable in the award show's 60-year history.
But if history is any indication, an Emmy win won't bring the critics' darling more viewers. Unlike an Oscar, which often offers a significant boost at the box office, an Emmy doesn't sweeten a show's ratings. In the five years prior to the writer's strike, viewership for Emmy-winning drama series declined 12% the following season.
What a statuette does do is add buzz and bragging rights to a show and its host network; it also serves as a differentiator at the checkout aisle.
That's hopeful news for Mad Men and the night's other ratings-challenged winners, including Glenn Close of FX's Damages, Bryan Cranston of AMC's Breaking Bad and Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin of General Electric-
Blaine's latest stunt in NYC _ hanging upside-down
What's David Blaine up to? Oh, just hanging around. The magician-daredevil proclaimed, "I'm doin' all right," after starting his latest endurance challenge Monday - 60 hours hanging upside-down, without a net, above Wollman Rink in Manhattan's Central Park. Blaine - sounding nasal from sinus pressure - kept smiling while describing the "enormous push of blood" that made it feel like his head was "about to explode." As a child, he was intrigued when Harry Houdini dangled from a crane by his ankles while escaping a straitjacket. Said Blaine: "The legs go pin and needle very fast." Stretches - kind of an upside-down sit-up - seem to help. Blaine, 35, is scheduled to exit from his perch at the climax of a live, two-hour ABC special, "David Blaine: Dive of Death," on Wednesday.
Hollywood's Best-Paid Actors
Tinseltown's leading ladies may generate more tabloid ink, but when it comes to blockbuster paychecks, Hollywood is still a man's town.
In an era where risk-averse studio executives have declared men the more reliable movie stars--and the more desirable moviegoers--perhaps it's no surprise that they are also the medium's top earners. The reality: Hollywood's 10 best-paid actors out-earned Hollywood's 10 best-paid actresses 2-to-1 over the course of the year.
Collectively, the big screen's leading men took home an estimated $487 million between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, compared with the leading ladies' haul of $244.5 million.
In Pictures: Hollywood's Best-Paid Actors
Will Smith leads the pack of Hollywood's best-paid actors, banking an estimated $80 million over the course of the year. Frequently called the hardest-working man in Hollywood, Smith has proved that no matter the genre--be it sci-fi thriller (Warner Bros.' I Am Legend) or sappy drama (Sony's The Pursuit of Happyness)--he can deliver an audience.
The former Fresh Prince of Bel Air star also set a theatrical record this year. Thanks to the commercial success of this summer's anti-superhero flick Hancock, Smith is the first actor in Hollywood history to have eight straight movies eclipse $100 million at the box office.
Coming in second on the list is Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp, an actor who is known to vacillate between commercial work and artier fare. He still managed to pull down $72 million this year.
In this case, the bold-faced star followed up his three turns as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney's $2.76 billion Pirates franchise with the Stephen Sondheim serial-killer musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Though the latter hardly set box office records, it did earn Depp an Oscar nomination.
With $55 million, Eddie Murphy comes in third among Tinseltown's top earners, thanks to a slew of family-friendly hits. The long-reigning master of disguise continues to prove his range on-screen, playing notable roles in everything from animated flicks (DreamWorks' Shrek) to goofball comedies (DreamWorks' Norbit) to musical remakes (DreamWorks' Dreamgirls). The latter earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Then there's Austin Powers star Mike Myers, who is tied for third on this list with earnings of $55 million, due in large part to the success of the hit animated franchise Shrek.
But when it comes to live-action fare, the comedy chameleon's ride has been far less smooth in recent years. Despite a stellar cast (including Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba) and plenty of promotion, Myers' summer comedy The Love Guru failed to deliver at the box office. To date, the Paramount flick has generated only $31.8 million domestically.
Titanic's Leonardo DiCaprio rounds out the top five, raking in $45 million during the year. He's the unique movie star who can get $20 million for work in R-rated adult dramas, which, because of viewer age restrictions, have limited ability to generate big box office numbers.
Though his flicks are rarely blockbusters, DiCaprio's work can create a sizable amount of Academy Award season buzz. In fact, three of his last five flicks-- Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed--were nominated for Best Picture. The latter took home the Oscar.
Reported by Dorothy Pomerantz, Evan Hessel and Peter C. Beller.
Johnny Depp
$72 million
He became an unlikely mainstream star with his boozy turn as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Last year he found time to star in his pal Tim Burton's movie version of Sweeney Todd, which grossed $154 million at the global box office. He earned his Best Actor Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the demon barber of Fleet Street.
Eddie Murphy
$55 million
The publicity-shy star turns out profitable family films in which he plays almost every role. Despite horrendous reviews, last year's Norbit grossed $160 million. Now in theaters: Meet Dave, in which he plays an alien.
$55 million
The publicity-shy star turns out profitable family films in which he plays almost every role. Despite horrendous reviews, last year's Norbit grossed $160 million. Now in theaters: Meet Dave, in which he plays an alien.
Leonardo DiCaprio
$45 million
He's the unique movie star who can get $20 million for work in R-rated adult dramas. His films (rarely blockbusters) attract attention during awards season. Three of his last five were nominated for Best Picture.
$45 million
He's the unique movie star who can get $20 million for work in R-rated adult dramas. His films (rarely blockbusters) attract attention during awards season. Three of his last five were nominated for Best Picture.
Bruce Willis
$41 million
This year Willis proved there's a market for old action heroes. He resurrected blue-collar cop John McClane in Live Free or Die Hard, and it grossed $380 million. Coming next year: sci-fi thriller The Surrogates.
Ben Stiller
$40 million
Last year's The Heartbreak Kid was one of Stiller's worst-performing films, bringing in only $37 million in the U.S. That didn't prevent big salaries for the forthcoming Night at the Museum 2 and Tropic Thunder.
Nicolas Cage
$38 million
Cage filled theaters with Disney's surprise hit sequel to National Treasure, Book of Secrets. It grossed $450 million worldwide. He also produced and acted in a gangster film, Bangkok Dangerous.
The Top-Earning Women In Music
"It takes a really big man to fill my shoes," Madonna once quipped. Apparently, it also takes a really rich man to fill those formidable size eights. The 49-year-old pop superstar tops Forbes' first-ever Cash Queens of Music list of the top-earning female musicians, banking $72 million between June 2006 and June 2007. Madonna earned much of that from her landmark Confessions tour, the highest-grossing tour for a female artist, earning $260 million worldwide. During that time-frame, Madonna also enjoyed income from record sales, her deal with hipster retailer of choice H&M and payment from NBC for rights to broadcast her concert performance at London's Wembley Stadium. The Material Mom isn't slowing down one bit as she swings toward her 50th birthday this August. In October, the famously shrewd musician ditched Warner Music Group (nyse: WMG - news - people ), her record label of 20 years, for an unprecedented 10-year deal with concert promoter Live Nation (nyse: LYV - news - people ) worth an estimated $120 million.
Los Angeles -
Madonna
$72 millionThe ever-morphing singer still outsells artists half her age. She tops the Cash Queens list thanks largely to her record-breaking Confessions tour, plus income from album sales, an apparel line with retailer H&M and a deal with NBC to air concert footage.
Barbra Streisand
$60 millionThe 65-year-old legend, with 145 million albums sold worldwide to her credit, drew legions of die-hard fans to her short (and rare) concert series that wrapped in Europe last summer. Some tickets sold for upward of $1,000 apiece.
Celine Dion
$45 millionThe Canadian diva's landmark Las Vegas concert drew some 3 million fans and grossed upward of $450 million during its five-year run, which ended in December.
The Most Expensive Celebrity Baby Photos
1. Vivienne Marcheline & Knox Leon
Chalk up another No. 1 ranking for Brangelina, arguably the most famous celebrity couple on planet Earth.
An exclusive first glimpse of twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, the highly anticipated offspring of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, tops our latest rundown of the most expensive celebrity baby photos. According to published reports, People magazine, which is owned by Time-Warner (nyse: TWX - news - people ), along with London-based Hello! magazine coughed up between $11 million and $15 million for exclusive first shots. (In the U.S. and Canada, People holds the rights, while Hello! has international rights to the pics.)
This comes just two years after the tabloid-staple couple peddled pictures of their pouty newborn--and first biological child--Shiloh Nouvel. Rather than pocket the loot, the humanitarian duo donated the funds to African charity. The reported sum: a then-record $4.1 million--and that doesn't include the $3.5 million that Hello! reportedly shelled out for the British rights to the pictorial.
2. Max & Emme
Celeb parents: Jenifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
People magazine
March 2008
Reported price tag: $6 million
Lopez scored big buzz--not to mention a lavish spread--by staying mum on her not-so-secret bump for much of her pregnancy.
3. Shiloh Nouvel
Celeb parents: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
People magazine
June 2006
Reported price tag: $4.1 million
The first biological offspring of two of Hollywood's hottest stars became a (pricey) must-see for the masses.
4. Levi Alves
Celeb parents: Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves
OK! magazine
August 2008
Reported price tag: $3 million
The newborn son of the Tinseltown heartthrob and his Brazilian model girlfriend drummed up gobs of tabloid ink.
5. Tie: Dannielynn
Celeb parents: Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead
April 2007
OK! magazine
Reported price tag: $2 million
Forced to deal with her mother's death and her father's custody battle, the saga of the pint-sized A-lister sent tabloids flying.
6. Tie: Max
Celeb parents: Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman
People magazine
February 2008
Reported price tag: $1.5 million
A window into the pop star's glamorous world seemed reason enough to fork over the big bucks.
7. Tie: Honor Marie 
Celeb parents: Jessica Alba and Cash Warren
OK! magazine
July 2008
Reported price tag: $1.5 million
A first glimpse of the Fantastic Four beauty's firstborn warranted myriad stories and a lofty sum.
8. Tie: Maddie Briann
Celeb parents: Jamie Lynn Spears and Casey Aldridge
OK! magazine
July 2008
Reported price tag: $1 million
The much-covered subject of teen pregnancy stories everywhere, the younger Spears' offspring sent tabloids flying off stands.
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