Smith Is Hollywood's Moneymaking MVP

They maximize studios' return on investment (and the top woman's not who you think)

(NEWSER) - Want the biggest bang for your production buck? Forbes says not to look at the mega-celebs—the biggest return per dollar spent on a star's compensation belongs to some lesser lights in the Hollywood constellation.

1. Matt Damon
2. Brad Pitt
3. Vince Vaughn
4. Johnny Depp
5. Jennifer Aniston

Vanessa Paradis fears Jolie will get Depp in her clutches

(NEWSER) - Vanessa Paradis really, really loves Johnny Depp—so much that she’s trying to force him out of his latest movie. Depp has a “real long and intense love scene” with man-thief Angelina Jolie in The Tourist, and a source tells the New York Post that Paradis demanded he drop the role when she found out. Depp is “trying to” get out of the film, the source says, but filming has already begun. More»

(NEWSER) - Julia Roberts is poised to step back into the spotlight with next month’s Duplicity, and Hollywood is hoping she can do again what none of her successors has been able to—pull boffo box office, the New York Times reports. “It’s just so clearly there,” said a producer of the industrial espionage-cum-romantic caper, costarring Clive Owen. “I don’t know how we know it, but we do.” Roberts hasn’t headlined a flick since 2001. More»

From the Fresh Prince to Captain Jack Sparrow, stars aren't sweating the small notes

(NEWSER) - Hancock isn't the "have you seen it" superhero movie of the season, but star Will Smith isn't crying in his beer: The ex-Fresh Prince raked in $80 million in the year that ended June 1. The rest of the Forbes top 10:

2. Johnny Depp ($72 million)
3. Eddie Murphy ($55 million)
4. Mike Myers ($55 million)
5. Leonardo DiCaprio ($45 million)

Talk show maven edges out Tiger, Jolie

(NEWSER) - Forbes ranks the 100 most powerful celebs of 2008 (complete with tweens), and Oprah leads the pack for the second year running. Stars are judged on the size of their paychecks and media clout, including their showing on the Internet. Here's how the A-listers stacked up:

1. Oprah Winfrey
2. Tiger Woods
3. Angelina Jolie
4. Beyonce Knowles
5. David Beckham