JudynTX
11-19-2009, 02:05 PM
Will Ferrell is the most overpaid star in Hollywood, according to Forbes magazine.
Ferrell's last film, "Land of the Lost," was an "epic Hollywood disaster," costing an estimated $100 million but earning only $65 million worldwide, the magazine said.
"Ferrell is no longer the sure bet he seemed after hits like 'Elf' ($220 million worldwide box office) and 'Talladega Nights' ($162 million box office)," the magazine said.
To create the list, Forbes looked at the 100 biggest stars in Hollywood. To qualify, each actor had to have starred over the last five years in at least three movies that opened in more than 500 theaters. Animated films were not included because actors tend to take pay cuts for voice work.
After calculating each star's estimated earnings and factoring in each film's operating income, Forbes determined a return-on-investment number.
For example, Ferrell's films earned an average of $3.29 for every dollar he was paid, the magazine found.
Second on the list? Ewan McGregor, whose films earned an average of $3.75 for every dollar he was paid.
Other big names on the list include Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio, who are six and eighth, respectively. For every dollar Cruise was paid, his films earned an average of $7.18. DiCaprio's return on investment was $7.52.
Drew Barrymore, the only female on the list, was seventh. For every $1 Barrymore was paid, her films earned an average $7.43.
Here are the 10 most overpaid stars in Hollywood, according to Forbes.
1: Will Ferrell
2: Ewan McGregor
3: Billy Bob Thornton
4: Eddie Murphy
5: Ice Cube
6: Tom Cruise
7: Drew Barrymore
8: Leonardo DiCaprio
9: Samuel L. Jackson
10: Jim Carrey
http://www.ksat.com/entertainment/21663087/detail.html
Ferrell's last film, "Land of the Lost," was an "epic Hollywood disaster," costing an estimated $100 million but earning only $65 million worldwide, the magazine said.
"Ferrell is no longer the sure bet he seemed after hits like 'Elf' ($220 million worldwide box office) and 'Talladega Nights' ($162 million box office)," the magazine said.
To create the list, Forbes looked at the 100 biggest stars in Hollywood. To qualify, each actor had to have starred over the last five years in at least three movies that opened in more than 500 theaters. Animated films were not included because actors tend to take pay cuts for voice work.
After calculating each star's estimated earnings and factoring in each film's operating income, Forbes determined a return-on-investment number.
For example, Ferrell's films earned an average of $3.29 for every dollar he was paid, the magazine found.
Second on the list? Ewan McGregor, whose films earned an average of $3.75 for every dollar he was paid.
Other big names on the list include Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio, who are six and eighth, respectively. For every dollar Cruise was paid, his films earned an average of $7.18. DiCaprio's return on investment was $7.52.
Drew Barrymore, the only female on the list, was seventh. For every $1 Barrymore was paid, her films earned an average $7.43.
Here are the 10 most overpaid stars in Hollywood, according to Forbes.
1: Will Ferrell
2: Ewan McGregor
3: Billy Bob Thornton
4: Eddie Murphy
5: Ice Cube
6: Tom Cruise
7: Drew Barrymore
8: Leonardo DiCaprio
9: Samuel L. Jackson
10: Jim Carrey
http://www.ksat.com/entertainment/21663087/detail.html