Will Smith: 2008's #1 Money Maker

NEW YORK — No name on the marquee was more pleasing to theater owners in 2008 than Will Smith, according to a survey of movie exhibitors. Smith, star of "Hancock" and "Seven Pounds," was voted the star who generated the most box office revenue for theaters in an annual survey by Quigley Publishing Co.

Smith is only the second black actor to be chosen in the Quigley poll, which since 1932 has asked movie exhibitors to vote on the 10 stars who brought in the most business. Sidney Poitier topped the poll in 1968.

Smith's superhero summer blockbuster, "Hancock," grossed $228 million. "Seven Pounds," currently in theaters, has pulled in a somewhat lackluster $39 million in two weeks.

Following Smith, in order, were Robert Downey Jr. ("Iron Man," "Tropic Thunder"), Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight"), Shia LaBeouf ("Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull") and LaBeouf's "Indiana Jones" co-star Harrison Ford.

The top 10 were rounded out by Adam Sandler, Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Daniel Craig.

Last year's winner, Johnny Depp, who didn't have a film released this year, didn't make this year's poll, nor did seven-time winner Tom Cruise.

Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married") was voted the top "star of tomorrow" along with Chris Pine of "Bottle Shock."

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Quigley Publishing is a division of QP Media Inc.

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On the Net:

http://www.quigleypublishing.com/

Comments

[deadre]

that's interesting since seven pounds is a relative disaster. i bet this was voted long before the movie was released, just based on HANCOCK. He's good but he's obviously not foolproof as this most recent really weird movie shows. But who else would they give it to?

[OttoMann]

What vote? These are sheer numbers -- it's just adding up the box office numbers.

[AmberGaze]

I like his movies, but it's his 'family man' image that I love! It's so great to see happy families on the red carpet!!!

[TR12]

You go boy!!!

I am proud of this cat

[LovingHope]

I love Will. He is so funny! I loved him as the Fresh Prince, I love his music and Ali, Men in Black, The Pursuit of Happiness, Indepence Day and Bad Boys were very good, entertaining movies. But like many actors, after a while, the movies they begin to pick are not the best roles for them. I guess they are trying to stretch. But I still love Will Smith and if he makes something I want to see, I will definetely support him.
His new movie doesn't look that bad, but I think I'll wait till it comes out on video.

[HillaryGoAway]

For some reason I find Will Smith very annoying. And not just because he's another ridiculously overpaid celebrity. He just seems kind of shallow. I've always liked Jada though. We should see more of her and less of him.

[SabrinaFair]

My sentiments exactly.

[amistad]

Yeah, a black man that makes lots of money...ve­ry irritating.

[johnnygoodwud]

decent actor, but he and his kid are way over exposed. enough

[Sparty1]

Go Will, Go Will, Go Will! Will Smith seems to be an awesome individual and I enjoy all of his movies. I'm glad to see Will at the top of the charts this year and that he always makes the list any other year.

[LiberalBuzz]

I like Will. I really do. As an older white dude I still like Fresh Prince and have liked his early movies, but lately he has been making somewhat downer flicks. Even Hancock went downhill after the first half.

AND had a bit of a downer ending.

And Seven Pounds? What a complete downer. Walked out of the theatre completely depressed wishing I had never seen the flick. Suicide is now supposed to be noble???

And what is up with him dying in his movies all of a sudden.

I am legend was well made but basically a depressing movie. AND he died in it tool..

Happyness was sort of hackneyed. Overly wrought and if you ever heard the person the movie was based upon you would rethink the flick. The guy is a jerk.(Not Will) Will was great in it though.

Ali was just plain great and he was robbed of the Oscar.

It almost seems as though Will is trading on his name and not great movies anymore.

But maybe it's time for him to lighten up again.

Anyone remember when Will was funny?

[Thaencyder]

I think he's a bit over exposed. I grew up on Fresh Prince and have seen Will's funny side. I think he wanted to get the nod for the Oscars with his new movie. he's almost 40yrs old now and one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. comedy may not be for him anymore, tho I think 'Hitch' was a great comedy. either way I'm happy to see the brother being a positive influence.

[Changeizgood]

Tom Hanks died in Philadelphia, and Denzel in bad cop movies. So grow up already.

Hey, whatza matta you?
Give the guy his props.

[unite4change]

I must say, I am not surprised a lot of you have tainted views of Will Smith. Could it be jealousy?

[Quilter]

I finally saw, "I Am Legend" on cable. I was pleasantly surprised. Will Smith carried it all the way. I thought it would be like Tom Hanks', "Cast Away", which I thought was dreadful.

[Hirnlego]

The big movie stars are like CEO's, they make too much money.

[SabrinaFair]

No offense but Will Smith has to be one of the most overrated actors, if you want to call him an actor, in Hollywood. I will never understand his appeal, but I congratulate his success.

[PippiLongstocking]

He has never been overrated as an actor.

[Notapathetic]

Smith nearly always puts out a good, entertaining product. He is no Denzel Washington, but then neither is anyone else.

I consider his movies money well spent.

[BenderBot]

Let's hope he hadn't invested all his money with Madoff.

[duze]

The next James Bond should be either Barack Obama or Sean Diddy Combs. Now that would be a box office HIT!