Diaz Tops Best-Paid Actresses

America's latest sweetheart commands up to $20M per movie

(NEWSER) - Rendition was a dud, but Reese Witherspoon's peachy $15 million to $20 million fee per movie puts her atop this year’s highest-paid actress list. But she and other leading ladies—such as runner-up Angeline Jolie—often accept lower payoffs to keep their schedules packed, the Hollywood Reporter observes. More»

Naomi Watts delivers big hits for relatively little pay

(NEWSER) - Straitened studio heads unwilling to give $10 million to divas and hope for a hit should call Naomi Watts' agent right now. The Australian star of Mulholland Drive and The Ring is the most bankable actress in Hollywood, Forbes calculates. Her films earned an average of $44 for every dollar she was paid. The magazine looked at the 100 highest-earning actresses in film and found that lower-paid performers, at least by Hollywood standards often give studios a better return on investment. More»

Just by $2 million, though

(NEWSER) - Chalk up one more for Angelina Jolie. Brad Pitt’s current partner beat out his ex-wife to top Forbes’ Top-Earning Actresses list. Jolie made $27 million in the last year; Jennifer Aniston came in second with $25 million. In third place: Meryl Streep, thanks to Mamma Mia. For the complete list, click the link below. More»

Mother's Day survey reveals holiday activities, too

(NEWSER) - In a poll of 10,000 readers ahead of Mother's Day, more would trust their kids to Jennifer Aniston than Brangelina, ParentDish.com reveals. More from the survey

• Most trustworthy babysitter: Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia De Rossi.
• Best mom: Jennifer Garner, followed by a tie between Reese Witherspoon and Michelle Obama.
• Worst moms: Courtney Love, Dina Lohan, Britney Spears, Sarah Palin, and Kate Moss.

Leading ladies play second fiddle in Hollywood this year

(NEWSER) - Where have all the Hepburns gone? Today's thirtysomething leading ladies are being cast in "handbag" roles, writes Rachel Abramowitz in the Los Angeles Times. Juicy parts are scarce this year for actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz as popular tastes move toward bromantic comedies that appeal to men. Instead, the stars play girlfriends, shrews, or bland sidekicks. More»