What does it tell you when the highest paid actress in Hollywood hasn’t even made a movie in two years?
According to entertainment trade paper The Hollywood Reporter, “Pretty Woman” star Julia Roberts commands the highest salary of any female in show biz, even though she’s temporarily left the industry to raise her new twins.
Though she didn’t star in a single flick this year, the paper estimates producers would welcome her back – and pay her $20 million to star in a film.
Nicole Kidman is in second place, raking in an estimated $16-17 million for every flick she appears in.
The bronze is taken by hot star Reese Witherspoon, whose new Johnny Cash biopic is making both headlines and money. So is she, earning $15 million per movie. Drew Barrymore is next, taking in a similar amount.
Also in a dead heat for the mid-range are Renee Zellwegger, Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz, who each pulled in between $10 million and $15 million per film.
Jodie Foster, who not only stars in movies but produces and directs them, took the 8th spot. Her recent hit “Flight Plan” brought her back to the list for the first time in three years. She’s said to be able to demand at least $10-12 million to put her famous mug on screen.
South African beauty and Oscar winner Charlize Theron debuts at number nine, with a paltry $10 million.
And the final actress in the Top 10 hasn’t made a lot of hit films, but appears to be able to command a hit salary anyway. Former “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston takes in $9 million for doing her part for Hollywood magic.
"These are bankable women," explains the publication's Bob Dowling. "They represent something quite positive and they're being paid for it."
Actresses who dropped off the list this year include Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Lopez. But they're still pulling in big bucks.
Roberts’ appearance on top is somewhat surprising. Though she won an Oscar for 2000’s “Erin Brockovich” and is famous for her roles in films like “Ocean’s Eleven”, “Notting Hill” and “Runaway Bride”, her self-imposed absence may not make notoriously fickle moviegoers hearts grow fonder.
The 38-year-old temporarily abandoned acting in 2004, after the birth of Phinnaeus and Hazel.
But while she’ll still be out of sight in 2006, she won’t be out of earshot. Roberts is set to lend her voice to two animated flicks next year – “Charlotte’s Web” and “Ant Bully”. Her salary for those movies hasn’t been disclosed, but it’s unlikely producers will pay her $20 million for her vocal talents alone.
