Cruise back on top of celebs' list
Tom Cruise has regained his crown as the king of the stars, according to an influential league table released today.
Pint-sized Hollywood legend Cruise is ranked number one in the list of the 100 most powerful celebrities produced by magazine Forbes.
U2 are in fourth place, largely thanks to Bono’s continuing high-profile battle against poverty in Africa.
Earnings of $67m (€53m) from blockbuster The War of the Worlds and prolific publicity surrounding his whirlwind romance with actress Katie Holmes helped secure Cruise the top spot that he last held in 2001.
His pay packet paled next to that of the film’s director Steven Spielberg, who raked in a staggering $332m (€262m) to come sixth in the table.
Harry Potter Creator JK Rowling is at 19th on the list, X Factor host Simon Cowell comes in at 29, and model Kate Moss confirms an amazing comeback from drug-taking allegations by securing her highest placing yet at 77.
England captain David Beckham, however, slips 17 spots to 43.
Last year’s winner, Oprah Winfrey, drops to number three, while the highest placed sportsman is golfer Tiger Woods at five. Dan Brown is rewarded for the phenomenal success of his Da Vinci Code with 10th place.
Here are the top 10 most powerful celebrities:
1. Tom Cruise
2. Rolling Stones
3. Oprah Winfrey
4. U2
5. Tiger Woods
6. Steven Spielberg
7. Howard Stern
8. 50 Cent
9. Cast of Sopranos
10. Dan Brown
