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

[duze]

Average, and not threatening to Hollywood. Suddenly he's such a great actor. He's not great, he's the one they can tolerate. For sure Denzel doesn't need to be tolerated, all he need do is step in front of the camera or on stage, and it all belongs to him.

[ZimboChick]

hmmm. Well the comforting thing for me - and possibly Will is that he indeed banks his money. I like people who are still stuck in a time warp thinking they are better than others ....thinki­ng other people should be tolerated and others not...ha! I am over and out...goin­g to dream about Will's money and big heart

[Sabreen60]

You know how you sound, don't you?? Of course you do.

[SistaSoulja]

Decent actor (Six Degrees of Separation and I am Legend). Before we criticize his acting skills, let's remember what we go to the movies for...to be entertained. This guy is highly entertaining and has an infectious personality. He is what he is, an entertainer, take it or leave it.

[nibblybits]

Gotta say, I don't get the appeal of this guy. He makes lousy movies and is a lousy actor. I think his first movie, Six Degrees of Separation, was his only decent one. Now he makes dreck.

[bogues]

Have you not seen "The Pursuit of Happyness" if you have, how can you say he is a lousy actor.

[Banji81]

Your opinion's obviously inconsistent with the masses. Smith's a pretty good actor and, love him or not, he has appeal by the bucket fulls...

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

I would agree; although, Enemy of the State with Hackman was pretty good. Otherwise, I don't even tune in to his movies on HBO, let alone buy them or go to the theatre to watch them.

[ZimboChick]

It's your loss. If you think Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds to name A FEW are dreck then your intelligence is questionable. How can you criticize someone when you do not even fully understand the full scope of their work. That smacks of hipocrisy

[MM5]

Agree 100%...he gets the prize for most annoying..­.and the fact that American audiences like him, only confirms it. Unfortunately in America, the subtle and brilliant doesn't get much attention.

[adamsmith3]

What a bunch of prejudiced drivel you just wrote

[TRichards]

Will Smith turned me around. I found his "fresh prince" character annoying. But, he won me over with "Men and Black" and has, ever since, done nothing other than to produce highly entertaining and highly skilled performances in a series of well-chosen pictures.

Seven Pounds and Hancock, this year's offerings, were both excellent. I'm a fan and will probably stay one if he can manage never to stand on Oprah's couch -- an actor's equivalent of jumping the shark.

[ZimboChick]

he always does lol

[KillgoreTrout43]

"Men AND black?"

[jOke]

Seven Pounds was good.. i dont get it.

[ZimboChick]

You must be talking about the trailer...­.otherwise the movie is pretty much to the point...ke­eps you on edge but then everything falls into place but you would know that if you watched it

[jOke]

... im not sure where your getting at, i watched the movie. i liked it very much. i think your confusing the statement "Seven Pounds was good.." to be that of a question.. but if that where the case id put a (?)

the statement i was referring to: ""Seven Pounds," currently in theaters, has pulled in a somewhat lackluster $39 million in two weeks." my response: "Seven Pounds was good.. i dont get it." - i.e. "..but, Seven Pounds was good, i dont see why it didnt do better."

[ZimboChick]

I watched Seven pounds last night....b­oy u DESERVE THAT MONEY! Despite what the 'hi haterz' said and wrote...I enjoyed Hancock too!

[Roma6888]

na na na na, jiggy wit it... you go boy..

aside from that, i loved your acting in the Pursuit of Happiness and I am Legend... ..