Top Ten Money-Making Hollywood Stars of 2012

Denzel Washington has been voted the Top Money-Making Star of 2012 in Quigley Publishing Company’s 81st Annual Poll of Motion Picture Exhibitors.

This is Washington’s eighth appearance in the Quigley Poll, and his first win. Exhibitors felt Washington was responsible for more traffic to movie theatres than any other Hollywood star this year based on his performances in “Flight” and “Safe House.”

Washington is the fourth black American to win the Poll, joining Will Smith (2005), Eddie Murphy (1987) and Sidney Poitier (1968).  In 81 years, eight women have been voted first in the Top Ten a total of sixteen times, with Julie Andrews, Doris Day, Shirley Temple and Marie Dressler winning multiple times.

The Quigley Poll, conducted each year since 1932, is an annual survey of motion picture theatre owners and film buyers, which asks them to vote for the ten stars that they believe generated the most box-office revenue for their theatres during the year.

The only woman in the Top Ten this year, Anne Hathaway, placed second with her roles in “Les Miserables” and as Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises.” Hugh Jackman and Mark Wahlberg, both with their initial Poll appearance, were third and fourth respectively.

Jackman was in “Les Miserables” and a voice talent in “Rise of the Guardians” and Wahlberg scored with “Contraband” and in the sleeper hit of the year, “Ted.” Johnny Depp was in “Dark Shadows” and had an uncredited role in “21 Jump Street,” but still managed a fifth this year. He has been in the Top Ten eight times, with wins in 2010, 2007 and 2006.

Daniel Craig made his second showing in the Top Ten in sixth place with “Skyfall” and Daniel Day-Lewis, playing “Lincoln,” had his debut in seventh place. Last year’s winner, Brad Pitt, made it seven years in the Poll and was voted into the eighth spot.

Leonardo DiCaprio was ninth with a performance in “Django Unchained” and has been in the Quigley Poll eight times. Robert Downey, Jr. came in tenth with his performance in “The Avengers.”

Tom Cruise has not placed in the Poll since 2007, but has been in the Top Ten 20 times since 1983, and been voted number one – the most of any actor – seven times. Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds and Bing Crosby have all won five times.

Clint Eastwood has been in the poll 21 times starting in 1968. Currently, Exhibitors appreciate him more as a Director that brings audiences to their theatres. John Wayne, Doris Day and Shirley Temple each finished first four times, but John Wayne was voted one of the Top Ten Money-Making Stars an astounding 25 times from 1949 to 1974.

Exhibitors were also asked to name the Stars of Tomorrow for 2012: one male and one female who they feel will be Top Money-Makers in the years to come.

The 2012 winners are Joseph Gordon-Levitt who was in “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Looper,” “Lincoln” and “Premium Rush” and Jennifer Lawrence who had breakthrough performances in “The Hunger Games” and “Silver Linings Playbook” and starred in “House at the End of the Street.”

Top Ten Money-Making Stars of 2012

1. Denzel Washington
2. Anne Hathaway
3. Hugh Jackman
4. Mark Wahlberg
5. Johnny Depp
6. Daniel Craig
7. Daniel Day-Lewis
8. Brad Pitt
9. Leonardo DiCaprio
10. Robert Downey, Jr,

Stars of Tomorrow

• Joseph Gordon-Levitt
• Jennifer Lawrence

Quigley Publishing Company was founded in 1915 and has published the International Motion Picture Almanac annually since 1930 and the International Television & Video Almanac since 1955.

Historical data, analysis and all of the Top Ten Money-Making Star Polls dating back to 1932 are available in the 2013 edition of the International Motion Picture Almanac and on its website: www.quigleypublishing.com

Photo courtesy: Quigley Publishing Company