Fame and fortune: America's top 10 celebrities
Fame sure is fickle. One day you're posing for the cover of Vanity Fair, and the next you're auditioning for an Olsen twins movie. The Hollywood landscape is littered with would-be superstars who rode the zeitgeist straight into obscurity. With that in mind, it wasn't easy choosing our list of today's biggest stars. Candidates needed a shelf-life more like a Twinkie than a carton of milk, and had to have name recognition with both grade-schoolers and grandmas. Some of our faves failed to make the cut (sorry Denzel, Cameron, and Reese — there's always next year). So, without further adieu, because Lord knows their careers aren't getting any fresher, here are our picks for the Top 10 Celebrities in America...
10. George Clooney, 42
The "Sex and the City" girls nailed it: George Clooney is like a Chanel suit — always in style. He smartly parlayed his resident hunk status on "ER" into a big-screen career, overcoming such early misfires as "The Peacemaker" and "Batman & Robin" (the horror, the horror) to gain credibility in critical darlings (though not box office smashes) "Out of Sight," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," his directorial debut. Think of him as a latter-day Cary Grant (with just a smidge more sex appeal). His charm knows no bounds: Women swoon for those puppy dog eyes, while men relate to his all-around, well, guyness.
9. Tom Cruise, 41
Tom Cruise has kept a low-profile since 2002's "Minority Report," but a true sign of stardom is remaining popular even when you're out of the public eye. Thanks to Tom's 20 years of superstardom, starting with "Risky Business" and continuing through the Dec. 5 release of his sword-swinging "The Last Samurai," his fame is assured. Sure, his Teflon exterior has been dinged by his 2001 split from Nicole Kidman and his public stumping for Scientology, but his 1,000-watt smile (recently straightened with braces) continues to draw global audiences. Cruise, who's still involved in an under-the-radar romance with Penelope Cruz, will test fan loyalty when he gets villainous in the upcoming "Collateral."
8. Will Smith, 35
Let's just get the 'jiggy' reference out there so we can focus on the important stuff. OK, moving on... Will Smith could teach Madonna about reinvention. He's evolved from G-rated Philadelphia rapper to TV star by way of Bel-Air to A-list actor who ruled July Fourth weekend with blockbusters like "Independence Day" and "Men in Black." Yet he's a power player who knows his priorities. When fever struck his daughter on Oscar night, the "Ali" nominee and wife Jada Pinkett Smith exited the ceremony. The multi-hyphenate repeatedly states he could be America's first black president, and frankly Washington could stand to get a little 'jiggy' with it.
7. Nicole Kidman, 36
Tom Cruise, eat your heart out. Post-divorce Nicole Kidman didn't just land on her now stiletto-clad feet, she blossomed into one of the most adventurous and sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Her decision to don an unflattering fake proboscis for "The Hours" resulted in Oscar gold, and she recently sniffed out a $15 million payday for the upcoming political drama "The Interpreter." Vogue proclaimed the Hawaii-born, Aussie-raised mother of two a fashion icon, and she's earning millions as the new face of Chanel No. 5. And while Kidman's romance with rocker Lenny Kravitz has launched a thousand gossip items, she's remained mum on the relationship, proving that she doesn't just look classy, she is classy.
6. Halle Berry, 37
Two indelible Oscar images: Halle Berry weeps as she becomes the first African-American to win Best Actress, and Berry gets macked on by surprise winner Adrien Brody. Sure is a long way from "B*A*P*S." Halle's climb atop Hollywood's heap sounds like a Lifetime movie: She survived an abusive father and cretinous boyfriends, and considered suicide after her divorce from baseballer David Justice. Recent triumphs — Oscar, Bond girl, "X-Men" — have been overshadowed by her separation from second husband Eric Benet, though she's refused to air her woes publicly while she promotes "Gothika." Next up: "Catwoman," with Halle slinking in the silliest costume since Liberace.
5. Tom Hanks, 47
Two Oscars, $20 million-plus per movie, and the respect of everyone in Hollywood. Not bad for a guy who once appeared as Gopher's buddy on "The Love Boat" and palled around with a drooling pooch in "Turner & Hooch." Tom Hanks is now synonymous with quality. Audiences know that if they plunk down their dough, he's going to deliver, whether it's as a man-child in "Forrest Gump" or a battle-weary soldier in "Saving Private Ryan." Hanks has been called the Everyman, Mr. Nice Guy, and the American Optimist, but, like Jimmy Stewart before him, he's a larger-than-life movie star. Why else would the American Film Institute award him its Life Achievement Award at the ripe old age of 45?
4. Oprah Winfrey, 49
It's testament to Oprah's likeability that she can wear macadamia-size diamond earrings while convincingly discussing bargain-hunting with her audience. The country sighed with relief when Oprah-the first black woman on Forbes' billionaires list-extended her TV contract through 2008. And while cynics mock Winfrey's followers, who accept her guidance on everything from books to bras, there's a reason she inspires such loyalty. In 18 years on air, she's shared all aspects of her life: yo-yoing weight, childhood abuse, lack of marital status with Stedman Garham. In short, we are Oprah and she is us-well, minus the massive fortune and media empire.
3. Jennifer Aniston, 34
When your decision to get bangs is news on Entertainment Tonight, you know your popularity is soaring. Welcome to the fabulous life of Jennifer Aniston. Paparazzi watch her every move; an adoring public copies every style (cargo pants and flip-flops, anyone?). A recent shopping trip with hubby Brad Pitt (whom we're proclaiming an honorary member of this list) necessitated a police escort past throngs of adoring fans. Jen claims not to understand the public's fascination with her life, but the masses see the American dream embodied: $1-million-an-episode for the final season of "Friends," an Emmy, designer dresses, impossibly toned arms, and her fairy tale marriage to Pitt. For those of us living vicariously through her fame, we expect nothing less than "happily ever after."
2. Bennifer, 31 & 33
Know about the rocks J. Lo's got? Yeah, us too. On-again, off-again fiancé Ben Affleck gifted Jen with a 6.1-carat pink Harry Winston diamond. We don't want to know this, but with all things Bennifer, we can't help ourselves. Individually, Lopez and Affleck were famous (her movies and music, his Oscar). As a couple, they're a media beast, despite the turkey that was "Gigli." Their every move is dissected: Ben gets a gun license! Jen's roots are showing! Bennifer drives their Bentley to McDonald's! Will they marry? Who cares? We're just happy, and slightly ashamed, the Ben and Jen Show hasn't been canceled.
1. Britney Spears, 21
She's played tonsil-hockey with Madonna and posed nearly nekkid on major magazines. By now it's pretty darn obvious Britney Spears is not that innocent. Adios, knee socks and pigtails; hello, leather and lots of skin. Brit's girl-on-girl kiss was just the latest stage in her transformation from Justin Timberlake's virginal girlfriend to a worldly, sensual woman of 21. With her all-American looks (blond hair, blue eyes, and her perky, uh, personality), the former Mouseketeer needn't worry her pipes aren't the strongest. Britney's ability to adapt to her public's desires has helped her defy critics who thought she'd be just another flash in the pop-tartlet pan.
Fame sure is fickle. One day you're posing for the cover of Vanity Fair, and the next you're auditioning for an Olsen twins movie. The Hollywood landscape is littered with would-be superstars who rode the zeitgeist straight into obscurity. With that in mind, it wasn't easy choosing our list of today's biggest stars. Candidates needed a shelf-life more like a Twinkie than a carton of milk, and had to have name recognition with both grade-schoolers and grandmas. Some of our faves failed to make the cut (sorry Denzel, Cameron, and Reese — there's always next year). So, without further adieu, because Lord knows their careers aren't getting any fresher, here are our picks for the Top 10 Celebrities in America...
10. George Clooney, 42
The "Sex and the City" girls nailed it: George Clooney is like a Chanel suit — always in style. He smartly parlayed his resident hunk status on "ER" into a big-screen career, overcoming such early misfires as "The Peacemaker" and "Batman & Robin" (the horror, the horror) to gain credibility in critical darlings (though not box office smashes) "Out of Sight," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," his directorial debut. Think of him as a latter-day Cary Grant (with just a smidge more sex appeal). His charm knows no bounds: Women swoon for those puppy dog eyes, while men relate to his all-around, well, guyness.
9. Tom Cruise, 41
Tom Cruise has kept a low-profile since 2002's "Minority Report," but a true sign of stardom is remaining popular even when you're out of the public eye. Thanks to Tom's 20 years of superstardom, starting with "Risky Business" and continuing through the Dec. 5 release of his sword-swinging "The Last Samurai," his fame is assured. Sure, his Teflon exterior has been dinged by his 2001 split from Nicole Kidman and his public stumping for Scientology, but his 1,000-watt smile (recently straightened with braces) continues to draw global audiences. Cruise, who's still involved in an under-the-radar romance with Penelope Cruz, will test fan loyalty when he gets villainous in the upcoming "Collateral."
8. Will Smith, 35
Let's just get the 'jiggy' reference out there so we can focus on the important stuff. OK, moving on... Will Smith could teach Madonna about reinvention. He's evolved from G-rated Philadelphia rapper to TV star by way of Bel-Air to A-list actor who ruled July Fourth weekend with blockbusters like "Independence Day" and "Men in Black." Yet he's a power player who knows his priorities. When fever struck his daughter on Oscar night, the "Ali" nominee and wife Jada Pinkett Smith exited the ceremony. The multi-hyphenate repeatedly states he could be America's first black president, and frankly Washington could stand to get a little 'jiggy' with it.
7. Nicole Kidman, 36
Tom Cruise, eat your heart out. Post-divorce Nicole Kidman didn't just land on her now stiletto-clad feet, she blossomed into one of the most adventurous and sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Her decision to don an unflattering fake proboscis for "The Hours" resulted in Oscar gold, and she recently sniffed out a $15 million payday for the upcoming political drama "The Interpreter." Vogue proclaimed the Hawaii-born, Aussie-raised mother of two a fashion icon, and she's earning millions as the new face of Chanel No. 5. And while Kidman's romance with rocker Lenny Kravitz has launched a thousand gossip items, she's remained mum on the relationship, proving that she doesn't just look classy, she is classy.
6. Halle Berry, 37
Two indelible Oscar images: Halle Berry weeps as she becomes the first African-American to win Best Actress, and Berry gets macked on by surprise winner Adrien Brody. Sure is a long way from "B*A*P*S." Halle's climb atop Hollywood's heap sounds like a Lifetime movie: She survived an abusive father and cretinous boyfriends, and considered suicide after her divorce from baseballer David Justice. Recent triumphs — Oscar, Bond girl, "X-Men" — have been overshadowed by her separation from second husband Eric Benet, though she's refused to air her woes publicly while she promotes "Gothika." Next up: "Catwoman," with Halle slinking in the silliest costume since Liberace.
5. Tom Hanks, 47
Two Oscars, $20 million-plus per movie, and the respect of everyone in Hollywood. Not bad for a guy who once appeared as Gopher's buddy on "The Love Boat" and palled around with a drooling pooch in "Turner & Hooch." Tom Hanks is now synonymous with quality. Audiences know that if they plunk down their dough, he's going to deliver, whether it's as a man-child in "Forrest Gump" or a battle-weary soldier in "Saving Private Ryan." Hanks has been called the Everyman, Mr. Nice Guy, and the American Optimist, but, like Jimmy Stewart before him, he's a larger-than-life movie star. Why else would the American Film Institute award him its Life Achievement Award at the ripe old age of 45?
4. Oprah Winfrey, 49
It's testament to Oprah's likeability that she can wear macadamia-size diamond earrings while convincingly discussing bargain-hunting with her audience. The country sighed with relief when Oprah-the first black woman on Forbes' billionaires list-extended her TV contract through 2008. And while cynics mock Winfrey's followers, who accept her guidance on everything from books to bras, there's a reason she inspires such loyalty. In 18 years on air, she's shared all aspects of her life: yo-yoing weight, childhood abuse, lack of marital status with Stedman Garham. In short, we are Oprah and she is us-well, minus the massive fortune and media empire.
3. Jennifer Aniston, 34
When your decision to get bangs is news on Entertainment Tonight, you know your popularity is soaring. Welcome to the fabulous life of Jennifer Aniston. Paparazzi watch her every move; an adoring public copies every style (cargo pants and flip-flops, anyone?). A recent shopping trip with hubby Brad Pitt (whom we're proclaiming an honorary member of this list) necessitated a police escort past throngs of adoring fans. Jen claims not to understand the public's fascination with her life, but the masses see the American dream embodied: $1-million-an-episode for the final season of "Friends," an Emmy, designer dresses, impossibly toned arms, and her fairy tale marriage to Pitt. For those of us living vicariously through her fame, we expect nothing less than "happily ever after."
2. Bennifer, 31 & 33
Know about the rocks J. Lo's got? Yeah, us too. On-again, off-again fiancé Ben Affleck gifted Jen with a 6.1-carat pink Harry Winston diamond. We don't want to know this, but with all things Bennifer, we can't help ourselves. Individually, Lopez and Affleck were famous (her movies and music, his Oscar). As a couple, they're a media beast, despite the turkey that was "Gigli." Their every move is dissected: Ben gets a gun license! Jen's roots are showing! Bennifer drives their Bentley to McDonald's! Will they marry? Who cares? We're just happy, and slightly ashamed, the Ben and Jen Show hasn't been canceled.
1. Britney Spears, 21
She's played tonsil-hockey with Madonna and posed nearly nekkid on major magazines. By now it's pretty darn obvious Britney Spears is not that innocent. Adios, knee socks and pigtails; hello, leather and lots of skin. Brit's girl-on-girl kiss was just the latest stage in her transformation from Justin Timberlake's virginal girlfriend to a worldly, sensual woman of 21. With her all-American looks (blond hair, blue eyes, and her perky, uh, personality), the former Mouseketeer needn't worry her pipes aren't the strongest. Britney's ability to adapt to her public's desires has helped her defy critics who thought she'd be just another flash in the pop-tartlet pan.
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