Highest paid actresses?

[Blondie]

Roberts Tops Highest-Paid Actress List

LOS ANGELES -- Julia Roberts is a mommy with big money. The actress, who recently gave birth to twins, tops The Hollywood Reporter's annual list of the highest-paid actresses. Her asking price per film? $20 million.

"Charlie's Angels" star Cameron Diaz is second (also sporting a $20 million price tag but didn't appear in any films in 2004) with Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore (all worth $15 million each) rounding out the top five.

The sixth highest-paid actress is Halle Berry ($14 million), followed by Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie (both earning $12 to $15 million each), Renee Zellweger and Jennifer Lopez ($12 million).

The special "Women in Entertainment" issue also includes a paycheck tally of "Five Breakout Performers." Kirsten Dunst is No. 1 at $8 million, followed by Lindsay Lohan ($7.5 million), Jessica Alba ($3 million), Mandy Moore ($3 million) and Sarah Michelle Gellar ($2 million).

Anne Sweeney, co-chairman of media networks for the Walt Disney Co.
and president of Disney-ABC Television Group, was the highest ranked woman in the "Power 100" list of women in entertainment. Sweeney was followed by Amy Pascal, vice chairman and motion picture group chairman for Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Nancy Tellem, president of CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group.

Twin producers-actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen share the 85th spot.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I would have thought Renee Zellweger was paid more, same with Nicole Kidman. Interesting.

On the other hand I guess I don't see Lendsey Lohan and Jennifer Lopez being worth that much.

 

[Blondie]

ITA about Lindsay Lohan and Jennifer Lopez.

What I want to now is, what do they do with all that money? I know a percentage goes to her manager, etc. But they still walk away with a lot of money!

 

[snoopy]

Of the top 5, only Nikole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon are good actresses, imo.

And then you look at some of the British actresses -- Emma Thompson and Cate Blanchett and Maggie Smith -- and our American actresses can't hold a candle to them when it comes to sheer talent and ability. Yet they aren't paid nearly as well. Its more about "celebrity" than acting ability, I guess.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I don't get Cameron Diaz as the second highest paid either.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Its more about "celebrity" than acting ability, I guess.

I would imagine it's more about selling tickets rather than acting ability, actually. Celebrity can only go so far -- making movies that appeal to a wide audience helps more (and yeah, most of those "widely appealing" movies pretty much suck too. )

 

[snoopy]

Well, I think its both, actually. The ability to sell movies is probably directly related to how accessible the "star" is....the more publicity, the bigger the star.

 

[Pooh67_68]

What I want to now is, what do they do with all that money?

There is a show on VH1 called Fabulous Life Of...
They usally just focus on just one celebrity. But they are doing a special right now called Celebrity Super Spenders of 2004, you ought to try catching it some time. It is on today, my time 3:00 pm.

 

[Blondie]

I remember seeing a program (could be the one you mentioned) about the percentage breakdown, so much $$ goes for this, another million goes for that, etc.

All in all, they're still making a lot of $$!

 

[Pooh67_68]

No the program I am talking about does not break down where the money goes. It just tells some of things they buy. Like one rapper has hired someone to come in to his home and paint a replica of the picture that is painted in the Sistine Chapel.

 

[shep]

Reese Witherspoon & Drew Barrymore?
Cameron Diaz has been in a few $100 million dollar grossing movies...
So has Nicole Kidman...
Only big movie I can think of with Drew Barrymore is E.T.

 

[ead79]

I'm surprised to see Cameron Diaz in second place. I guess I've just never thought of her as being a great actress. Julia Roberts, on the other hand, is wonderful in my opinion. She can really play a great range of emotion (Steel Magnolias, for example).