LOS ANGELES (June 15, 2006) — Never mind the couch-jumping and the depression-dismissing. Tom Cruise is the world’s No. 1 star, according to Forbes’ annual “Celebrity 100 Power List,” which ranks famous folks based on earnings and buzz.
The less-than-scientific ranking tracks the highest-paid stars from the worlds of television, film, music and sports, said editor Lea Goldman.
“It’s what kind of currency does the star’s name have,” she said. “It’s increasingly important how they are perceived both in industry circles and commercial circles, and this list represents who has cachet in both arenas.”
Cruise is the only celebrity to top the list twice, she said. He was also No. 1 in 2001.
“He’s one of the few guaranteed bankable stars,” Goldman said.
“No one in Hollywood can negotiate the kind of salary he gets.”
With an estimated income of $67 million last year, Cruise wasn’t the top money-earner, but his couch-hopping antics on “Oprah,” his dismissive comments about Brooke Shields’ postpartum depression and whirlwind romance with Katie Holmes made him one of the most talked-about stars of the year. He ranked 10th on last year’s list.
Perennial Forbes-list favorite Oprah Winfrey, who claimed the No. 1 spot last year, dropped to No. 3 in the latest rankings. The $225 million she pulled in, according to Forbes, should ease the pain.
Winfrey’s windfall pales next to Steven Spielberg’s take of $332 million. The director-producer was the year’s highest-paid celebrity. He ranks sixth on Forbes’ list.
Satellite radio star and self-proclaimed “king of all media,” Howard Stern, was the second highest-paid celebrity, with $302 million. He placed seventh on the list, up 20 spots from last year.
Tiger Woods, who pulled in $90 million in earnings, ranked fifth, besting fellow golfer Phil Mickelson, who placed 18th.
Rapper 50 Cent never made Forbes’ list before but this year he captured eighth place thanks to his top-selling ringtones, G-Unit clothing line and record sales of more than 20 million. No other rapper made the list.
“There’s a lot of fluctuation,” Goldman said. “It has to do with what (celebrities) are doing and how much they’re getting paid for it.”
International concerts helped earn the Rolling Stones and U2 top positions on the list. The veteran rockers ranked second and fourth, respectively.
The cast of “The Sopranos,” which earned a total of $52 million for their seventh season, placed ninth. Author Dan Brown, whose mega-bestseller “The Da Vinci Code” sold a staggering 61 million copies and inspired the year’s most anticipated and controversial film, rounded out the top 10.
Brad Pitt, who ranked 11th last year, dropped to 20th place, despite his high-profile relationship and resulting offspring with Angelina Jolie.
Jolie, not surprisingly, made the list, too, tying for 35th place — with Pitt’s ex, Jennifer Aniston.
Mel Gibson, who topped the list in 2004 and ranked third last year, didn’t make it this time. Neither did Madonna, who ranked eighth last year.
Lance Armstrong, Will Ferrell, Julia Roberts and Lindsay Lohan all placed prominently last year but dropped off the latest list.
New to the “Celebrity 100”: pop psychologist Phil McGraw (22), tart-tongued “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell (29), actor Kiefer Sutherland (68) and ubiquitous TV and radio personality Ryan Seacrest (88).
Nothing in Hollywood is complete without Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
Hilton was No. 56 and Richie No. 95.
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