As much as I have a small spot for her in my heart, Nicole Kidman has just been named by Forbes as Hollywood's most overpaid star.
According to their second annual ranking of the most (and least) bankable actors in Hollywood, Kidman's films earn a mere $1 for every dollar Kidman was paid, compared with $8 in 2007. The Invasion, a second remake of the 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers, actually lost $2.68 for every dollar Kidman earned.
The list of the top 10 overpaid celebrities is rife with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Tom Cruise ranks third with a $4 return for every dollar he was paid, mostly because of last year's stinker Lions for Lambs, which Cruise's studio, United Artists, produced. For every dollar the star earned the film returned only $1.88.
Cameron Diaz may be the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, with $50 million in income between June 2006 and June 2007, but studios might want to question whether she's worth the money. Her films returned a lowly $4 for every dollar Diaz earned.
Aussie Russell Crowe wins this year's award for most improved. The actor was the most overpaid celebrity last year, earning movies like Cinderella Man $5 for every dollar he was paid. (Kidman came in second.) This year Crowe was the 18th best earner on our list with a return of $6.88 for every dollar he earned.
The bump can be attributed to last year's American Gangster, which grossed $265 million in worldwide box office. Crowe returned a healthy $10.80 for every dollar he was paid on the film, bringing his ultimate payback number up to $6.88. Countryman Kidman could use a little of that good karma this fall when Australia is released.
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